As the pandemic is slowing down, and vaccine rates are increasing, areas are starting to open up. There are fans in the stands, and most stadiums will be back to full capacity soon. Teams are reaching vaccination thresholds, and having restrictions lifted. However, the Chicago Cubs are not amongst those teams.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo is amongst those who have declined to get a vaccine, saying during an interview that it was a tough decision.
Anthony Rizzo just told @thekapman and @tweetjhood on ESPN 1000 he’s one of the guys not vaccinated on the Cubs. Said it was a tough decision but chose not to.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) June 11, 2021
Anthony Rizzo amongst unvaccinated on Chicago Cubs
For Rizzo, this was not a decision that was made lightly. He said that he had consulted with doctors, and to this point, is not getting any of the COVID vaccines. While the reasons why are unknown, his medical history, including a battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2008, may have played a part in his decision.
It will be interesting to see how much this impacts the Cubs’ moves at the trade deadline. With over 20 teams now having those restrictions lifted, trading an unvaccinated player may be more difficult as teams would not want to go back to how things were prior to reaching that threshold. Likewise, if the Cubs acquire players that are vaccinated, they may be able to backdoor their way to having those restrictions lifted.
Those restrictions remaining in place have not affected the Cubs thus far. After a slow start, they caught fire in May, and are currently tied for first in the NL Central with the Brewers. Both teams are also one game out of the second Wild Card spot, which is currently held by the Padres.
Perhaps, in a way, this is working to the Cubs’ advantage. They have restrictions in where they are allowed to be after the games, and may be far more focused on the task at hand on the diamond. The players are around each other more, allowing for more of a bonding experience.
The Chicago Cubs are not likely to reach the vaccination threshold to have restrictions lifted. Anthony Rizzo is one of those players, but he has his own reasons.