The coronavirus pandemic is affecting everyone in our country one way or another. So while current MLB players are hurting with the game they play for a living being suspended, retired players are also hurting in their own way.
Take former Yankees Doc Gooden and Goose Gossage for instance. The Post's Ken Davidoff spoke to them about what they're missing out on by staying self-isolated at home, and appearances at events that were supposed to be scheduled through the next few months are now gone.
"My living is baseball camps, clinics, appearances at the ballpark," said Gooden. "Everything is baseball. Everything's on hold.
"I've got seven kids, six grandkids and two ex-wives," Gooden added with a laugh. "They don't want to hear that. They just want to know where their check is."
For Gossage, he had events like a 75th birthday party and Derek Jeter's Turn 2 Foundation in Tampa, to look forward to. Of course, he makes money off these appearances, but he honestly isn't too worried about that.
Instead, he recognizes that there are others who are in worse positions than him during these tough times.
"I've got a nice pension," he told Davidoff. "I just think of the poor people that this is affecting day-to-day, like the restaurant people. ...Whenever I start feeling sorry for myself, that doesn't last very long."
Another former Yanks player in Mickey Rivers holds the same mindset as Gossage, as his social life -- like the rest of ours -- has diminished. He enjoys going out with his former teammates and colleagues while down in Florida. Now he simply said "we're just talking."
But just like baseball, these appearances should return to normal once this clears up. Andrew Levy, who represents the likes of Gooden and Gossage among other sports celebrities, is confident his clients will continue to see support from companies and events that want to have a former ballplayer there.
"I'm confident when this 'reset' is over, individuals and companies will go back to incorporating a sports celebrity or suite into their marketing plans," he said.
In the meantime, they wait like everyone else is. It's certainly an inconvenience, but being smart during these times is critical.
"We control what we can control in baseball, just like life," Gossage said. "...We control what we can in our lives, and we deal with the crap that comes at us like this coronavirus."
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