Whit Merrifield, Royals slugger, stated quite forcefully that he wouldn’t get vaccinated before the All-Star break because it didn’t appear to be “stopping COVID”
He’s now saying something different after the All-Star break.
Merrifield was unable to travel to Toronto with the Royals to face the Blue Jays prior to the break because he wasn’t vaccinated. Merrifield, a 2nd baseman and outfielder, stated that if it were doing what it was supposed and stopping the spread COVID, then I would be more willing to accept it. But it isn’t doing that.
Merrifield apologized for his “poorly articulated comments” about the effectiveness of the vaccine on Friday
Merrifield said that he was sorry for not being able to clearly communicate the point he was trying to make. Merrifield said, “It was an uncomfortable topic. I began rambling on about my passion for winning and that did not relate to the topic being discussed. “I am deeply sorry for that.”
Merrifield also apologized for saying that he may reconsider his vax status, if he was traded to a team with more serious playoff contention.
Merrifield clarified saying people misunderstood it and that he poorly articulated what he was trying to convey.
Merrifield claimed that he didn’t know how his comments would be understood at the time.
Merrifield stated, “Unfortunately, it wasn’t really clear what I meant.” It took me reading the text to see how it could be understood. … Since the moment I got my cleats on, I have wanted to be in the playoffs. People have strong feelings about the vaccine and that is what I feel.
However, the Royals player knows that his comments will have an effect.
