Two of MLB Network’s biggest names are no longer welcome at MLB Network’s studios.
Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz and two-time All-Star Al Leiter won’t be reporting inside the studio at MLB Network due to their refusal to take a COVID-19 vaccine, according to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post.
The network reportedly made it mandatory for all its employees to be vaccinated, with the policy going into effect on Sept. 1. Both employees will now work remotely on their shows with the network. Smoltz is also still set to call MLB Network’s ALDS games.
Smoltz has been the lead baseball analyst for Fox Sports since 2016 and works as color commentator alongside Joe Buck in the World Series, so it remains to be seen if they have an issue with his refusal to be vaccinated.
Leiter’s other employer recently issued their own vaccine mandate for employees, so we shall se what happens as he works as a baseball operations advisor for the New York Mets.
