Rhetorical Analysis of Field Objects LUFKIN 1

Cooper T. Lufkin

ENC2135

Rhetorical Analysis of Field Objects

February 28, 2021

Rhetorical Analysis of Field Objects LUFKIN 2

I. Introduction

The sports world was struck by the worldwide pandemic COIVD-19. The pandemic sent

sports to a complete stop and the impacts it left on sports organizations were catastrophic.

COVID cancelled some of the biggest sport events like the Summer Olympics and Paralympics,

the Boston Marathon, and Wimbledon. The Boston Marathon, the oldest long-distance race, was

canceled for the first time in history, however they were still able to make it happen. “The

Boston Marathon Virtual Experience” will be held, where participants will have to verify that

they ran the 42km on their own, and if so, will still be able to receive their finisher’s medal.

However, Major League Baseball (MLB) had one of the biggest downfalls due to COVID and

according to the commissioner, Rob Manfred, they took an estimated loss of $8.3 million as

league entirely. I was given the opportunity to be given a deep analysis about the New York

Yankees, a very touted and rich organization, and their troubles with the pandemic. With the

information I received I decided to focus on the MLB and the troubles that COVID-19 caused

the league, and it is an extensive one. In this essay, I will present a rhetorical analysis of two

artifacts that examine the impact of COVID-19 on the MLB, especially the financial impact.

II. Analysis of First Artifact

In the scholarly article, “Talking Baseball When There Is No Baseball: Reporters and

Fans During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” the authors talk about one of the most important aspects

in baseball stadiums. Many people might not realize it but, the fans that attend baseball games is

what makes the games so exciting and thrilling. Attending a baseball game is America’s pastime,

the author uses pathos to talk about fans’ grief since they cannot attend games this past season.

Fans gave descriptions like “my dad was in tears…he’s not taking this baseball thing well,”

“We’re all sad,” and “I miss baseball a lot.” The article mentions that fans take the approach of a
Rhetorical Analysis of Field Objects LUFKIN 3

death of a loved one similar to the absence of baseball. As grief is shown, memories begin to run

through fans minds’ as they are reminiscing on the last time, they went to a baseball game or

their first memory of being a fan for a team. Fans all around the country are live or die for their

teams and losing the ability to attend games really hinder their chance for fun during the season.

The author then uses logs by explaining the importance of fans. Fans are extremely

essential to games not only because they bring a presence to games but for the organizations,

they bring in money. From ticket sales, concession stands, and merchandise money spent by fans

gives teams the ability to bring in money for every game. For the MLB, they have a 162-game

season, not including the playoffs, which gives them plenty of opportunities to make money. The

playoffs for teams is where big money is made. Ticket prices for these games skyrocket and

certain merchandise items will do the same. Fans at these games are willing to put the money up

to have the experience of a playoff game. Personally, I have never been to a playoff game but

close family friends I know have. The experiences and the memories they created will last a

lifetime. COVID-19 created a barrier for fans to experience games in person, however in the next

season most teams have decided to allow fans at their games.

III. Analysis of Second Artifact

In the YouTube video “MLB Struggles to Contain COVID-19,” a reporter for NBC News

explains how the MLB attempted for a new norm. They attempted to play through a pandemic

(as they did successfully only miss 2 games in total), consistent testing, fake fans (using cutouts

of pictures of fans) and implanting social distancing guidelines. Unfortunate, for the MLB there

was a game postponed 2 weeks into the season. From the first postponement in the MLB, the

league began struggling to contain COVID outbreaks on teams. The Marlins were the first team

to deal with issues since they had a large outbreak on the team. Then, the Cardinals had an
Rhetorical Analysis of Field Objects LUFKIN 4

outbreak after they played a game against the Marlins. After the news of the outbreaks for the

Cardinals and Marlins, players around the league became very uncomfortable with continuing to

play and some of them decided not to play with the season still continuing. With players deciding

to sit out either due to personal reason (protection of their own families) or health issues they

may have that makes them susceptible to COVID, the MLB began placing stricter restrictions on

teams. Restrictions like, smaller travel parties or suspensions for players who don’t follow the

guidelines. Suspensions did happen for some players, two pitchers for the Cleveland Indians

were suspended after leaving a team hotel unsupervised which was also against the guidelines

the MLB put in place.

The video then cuts to an interview done with Dodgers CEO Stan Kasen who talks about

the financial burden placed on his team and others due to COVID. Kasen explains how they loss

close to $100 million of revenue with COVID and the restrictions placed with fans, travel, etc.

He then talks about the inability to have fans at their games was very damaging to their

organization since they have such a large fan base and, in a way, they are reliant on them. The

MLB season they had to deal with couldn’t be planned and Kasen says that it may take years

until their organization is able to recover from the losses they had to deal with. Not only did their

revenue drop but TV ratings dropped making this past World Series game 1 the least watched

Game 1 of all time. Even though it was the least watched Game 1, the Dodgers fan base locally

still did very well. Even with the downsides of COVID, Kasen is optimistic about the next

season and for fans to return to Dodger Stadium next season.

IV. Comparison of Two Artifacts

Based on my close analysis of these artifacts, they both show the impact COVID-19 has

placed on MLB teams. They do so in different types of genres since one was a novel and the
Rhetorical Analysis of Field Objects LUFKIN 5

other was a newscast from the media outlet, YouTube. The novel gives a facts and gives the

information on the impact and plans leagues, including the MLB, have planned to make a

comeback. The video clip gives a background from multipole teams shutting down with

interviews from the teams. The video also included a more in-depth interview with the GM

of the Dodgers, mainly talking about their financial situation. Both artifacts I cited show

logos by using facts presented by MLB teams and interviews from certain players, coaches,

and staff. The articles also show pathos by the YouTube video having the ability to show

first-hand accounts of the how detrimental COVID-19 has been on teams the novel showed

how fans were emotionally impacted they were but the fond memories they were able to

recall.

V. Conclusion

Every organization struggled in their own way in the MLB season. Not only did

organizations struggle but fans also dealt with the absence of a season. COVID-19 changed all of

our lives as we know it and it brought a lot of bad but some good as well. The world had to

become more accustomed to being online, wearing masks, and limited capacity at events. The

sports world was completely turned on its head. The optimism from fans have creates their next

moment at a game even better. The fans will be extremely important for MLB organizations

since a lot of revenue is brought in through them and without them, we have seen how

organizations have struggled. The struggle will continue for a while but there is hope for a big

and better future. The experience we once had at sporting events may never be the same but there

is hope that we will return to normal soon, but the question is, when will we?
Rhetorical Analysis of Field Objects LUFKIN 6

References

Curry, A. L., & Good, T. (2020). Talking Baseball When There Is No Baseball: Reporters and

Fans During the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Sport

Communication, 13(3), 551–558.

MLB Struggles To Contain COVID-19 | NBC News NOW [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD8wmf7QqaA&t=679s