A's Robbie Grossman envisions what walk-offs look like during pandemic

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Let’s say it’s Aug. 16, and the A’s have just won via a walk-off homer.
 
We know how that would normally look.
 
Gatorade showers. High fives. Bear hugs at home plate.
 
But what about now, considering necessary health restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic?
 
“I was actually thinking about that,” A’s outfielder Robbie Grossman told NBC Sports California this week.
 
“It’s going to be very hard not to celebrate, shake hands, hug each other, and do all the stuff we’re accustomed to doing. But it’s just something that we’re going to have to make an adjustment to. This is the new normal. We’ll get creative and come up with something.”
 
Grossman has played seven MLB seasons, but 2020 will look much different. He has been trying to mentally picture what iLet’s say it’s Aug. 16, and the A’s have just won via a walk-off homer.
 
We know how that would normally look.
 
Gatorade showers. High fives. Bear hugs at home plate.
 
But what about now, considering necessary health restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic?
 
“I was actually thinking about that,” A’s outfielder Robbie Grossman told NBC Sports California this week.
 
“It’s going to be very hard not to celebrate, shake hands, hug each other, and do all the stuff we’re accustomed to doing. But it’s just something that we’re going to have to make an adjustment to. This is the new normal. We’ll get creative and come up with something.”
 
Grossman has played seven MLB seasons, but 2020 will look much different. He has been trying to mentally picture what it will entail.
 
Teams often discuss how they grow closer bonds over the course of a season, but there likely will be strict rules this time to keep individuals physically separated.
 
“That’s going to be tough,” Grossman said. “Guys like to play cards, guys like to shoot the basketball in the locker room. We’ll have to make an adjustment but it’s still not going to take away from our camaraderie. We’ll find a way.”
 
Grossman pointed out the real heroes lately are those on the front lines of healthcare. But, he certainly thinks our national pastime can play a significant role in getting through such a difficult time.
 
“At this time in the country, we need baseball on TV just for the healing process of this pandemic and what we’ve endured in the last couple months,” Grossman said.

[RELATED: How Gregorious could fit A's in free agency if Semien leaves]
 
It’s almost a guarantee MLB will geographically re-align its teams for 2020 rather than maintain two leagues. Grossman says Oakland’s opponents won’t matter so much as his team’s appetite to capitalize during a great window of talent.
 
“I think that drive and that hunger is going to be more than ever now, whenever we start.”

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