On Tuesday afternoon, Major League Baseball announced that all 30 teams are donating $1 million each to assist ballpark employees affected by the delayed start to the 2020 season.
"Over the past 48 hours, I have been approached by representatives of all 30 clubs to help assist the thousands of ballpark employees affected by the delay in the start of the Major League Baseball season," Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "Motivated by a desire to help some of the most valuable members of the baseball community, each Club has committed $1 million. The individual clubs will be announcing more details surrounding this support effort in their local communities.
"The timing of these announcements will vary because of the need to coordinate with state and local laws as well as collective bargaining obligations in an effort to maximize the benefits realized by each group of employees. I am proud that our clubs came together so quickly and uniformly to support these individuals who provide so much to the game we love."
Baseball's Opening Day was previously scheduled for March 26, but it was officially pushed back at least two weeks. And with the coronavirus pandemic ongoing and the CDC recommended no gatherings of more than 50 people for at least eight weeks, things are now pushed back even further.
The Mets had previously been scheduled to open the season at home against the defending-champion Washington Nationals on that day, beginning a three-game series. The Yankees, meanwhile, were scheduled to kick things off with a three-game series in Baltimore.