The Los Angeles Dodgers were making headlines for the wrong reasons as of late. After winning the 2020 World Series the players took to their usual championship celebrations, as did third baseman Justin Turner. Turner had been removed by MLB officials in the third inning following a notification that he had tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the day. He subsequently returned to the field as their team posed in the classic championship photo without a mask.  

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred says Justin Turner will not be punished for celebrating with teammates on the field after the Dodgers clinched the World Series title, even after he was removed from the game for testing positive for COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/FmSCssLoEN

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 6, 2020

This was then followed up with an investigation of Turner and his conduct displayed that night by the MLB. It was just recently announced that there would be no fine or punishment given to Turner. This bring forth major questions to the handling of the COVID-19 by the major sports leagues. Why can they all participate without the fear of fines and isolation when they contract the virus? You see the NFL fining their players and teams and governments fining people of the public for breaking protocols. And these people may not even have COVID-19.  

Overall, this does not exhibit a good image for the public where health and safety is more important as ever as we move into the flu season and times of large gatherings, such as holiday events. It goes to show how COVID-19 has exposed fragilities in the sports governance of multiple leagues. 

DemchukD 

Featured Image: Justin Turner posing for World Series Trophy and wife. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)