Colorado Rockies outback Ian Desmond has announced that he is opting for a second consecutive baseball season.
“For now, I decided to leave the 2021 season,” wrote Desmond in an Instagram story. “My desire to be with my family is greater than my desire to go back and play baseball in these circumstances. I will continue to train and watch things go.”
He has now won $ 13.56 million in the past two seasons; he owed $ 8 million this year and was expected to earn $ 5.56 million from his prorated $ 15 million salary last season. The Rockies have a $ 15 million option in Desmond for the next season with a $ 2 million purchase.
Desmond, 35, reached 0.255 with 20 homers in 140 games in 2019.
“I warned my teammates, as well as the coaching staff and the board, and they were all extremely understanding and supportive,” said Desmond’s post. “I wish for nothing but the best for the entire Rockies organization and let them know that I am willing to do everything I can to help them from afar.”
Desmond said that in the past few months he “had difficult conversations. I asked a lot of questions and thought a lot.” This helped him make the decision to leave.
He was much more expansive last year in explaining his decision to leave the 2020 season. In addition to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Desmond, who is biracial, mentioned a myriad of issues within baseball, including sexism, homophobia and concerns socioeconomic conditions, as well as the racial calculation that emerged after George Floyd’s death while in police custody in Minneapolis, sparking protests around the world.