Portland native Ryan Flaherty said Tuesday that baseball must take a backseat to the social unrest in Baltimore.
“Obviously it’s about a lot more than just a game,” the Baltimore Orioles’ infielder said in a phone interview. “There’s a lot bigger issue going on in the city than when the Orioles are going to play their next game. It’s something that you want to see resolved peacefully.”
After a pair of postponements caused by rioting in the city, the Orioles and Chicago White Sox will play Wednesday at Camden Yards in what is believed to be the first game without fans in major league history. The Orioles postponed games against Chicago on Monday and Tuesday.
Public schools were closed Tuesday in Baltimore, and the mayor imposed a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
Flaherty lives in a downtown apartment but isn’t near the rioting.
“But it is less than two miles away,” he said. “It’s been extremely violent and it’s sad to see.”
He said the Orioles held a workout at Camden Yards on Tuesday. On Monday, he said players were told when they arrived at the stadium to “pack our stuff, shower up and get out as soon as possible.”
Players were told to use their judgment and stay in safe areas of the city.
“There’s a lot going on outside and that’s definitely a lot bigger than what’s happening on the field,” said Flaherty.
The Baseball Hall of Fame and John Thorn, MLB’s official historian, said they did not think there had been a closed-door game in major league history.
“It’s going to be pretty crazy to watch a game in that big of a stadium with no one there,” said Flaherty, who is on the disabled list with a groin injury but rehabbing with the Orioles.
In addition, the Friday-to-Sunday series against Tampa Bay was shifted from Camden Yards to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, with Baltimore the home team and batting last.
MLB said the postponed games against the White Sox will be made up with a doubleheader on May 28 at 4:05 p.m.
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