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Cuomo: Yankees and Mets to have spring training in NYC

by jmaloni
Sat, Jun 20th 2020 12:50 pm

Spring training appears headed to New York.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Saturday announced this “really great development” in a “bleak time.”

He added, “I can’t wait to see spring training in New York.”

Cuomo explained he’s spoken with leadership from both the New York Yankees and New York Mets, and, “We’re hopeful that we’ll have baseball to enjoy this season.”

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association are reportedly drawing closer to a deal related to when the season will begin, how many games will be played, and what the players will be paid.

Pending a deal, Cuomo said the Yankees plan to prepare at Yankee Stadium, while the Mets train in Citi Field.

“I can’t remember the last time we had spring training in New York, but this is really exciting news for us,” he said. “Again, we’re hopeful about the season overall.”

Normally, the Yankees and Mets would have spring training in Florida.

Cuomo noted the state and its Department of Health would review each team’s safety protocols related to COVID-19.

The governor added, “One of the reasons they’re coming to New York is because the infection rate in New York is down low compared to other states. … That’s a credit to all New Yorkers.”

He joked he would visit the teams – even if he wasn’t invited.

“I’m excited,” he said.

In terms of people visiting New York from other states – particularly those parts of the country with recent spikes in coronavirus cases – Cuomo said, “We’re watching the situation very carefully; we’re watching it every day.”

As far as limiting tourists, or where/how they can enter the state, he explained health officials are watching viral infection rates in places including Florida.

Cuomo said an influx of visitors from high-infection-rate states "partially motivated by getting away from the virus spread" would be a “cause for concern.”

“We haven’t seen that yet. If we do see it, then we’ll act accordingly,” he said.

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