Earlier this week, I planned to write about the Cincinnati Reds and their upcoming trade deadline. The circumstances surrounding Cincinnati’s Wednesday night changed those plans. Wednesday’s events also highlight a visible issue for the Reds.

Decisions to boycott play in various sports on Wednesday are highly understandable. Considering the perspectives of many players and coaches. Especially players and coaches that are racial minorities. From a Milwaukee Brewers and Milwaukee Bucks angle. The event sparking the boycott happened in their own home state. That event being the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, WI. Less than an hour away from Milwaukee.

American professional sports collectively sent a message to the nation on Wednesday. What sense does it make to play and just go on as if nothing is wrong? When we have a pandemic raging; along with the most sustained social unrest America’s seen in roughly 50 years. With minuscule signs of any substantive changes happening on either front. Teams and individuals are putting their money where their mouths are.

Teams are opting to disrupt the distraction games mostly provide from America’s glaring issues. This also puts a spotlight on the toll this year is putting on athletes. The strains of dealing the pandemic, racial injustice and more. While the gargantuan salaries many athletes make might leave many unsympathetic to their struggles. Professional athletes are human beings coping with 2020 like everyone else. Many athletes are left to cope with this while being away from loved ones. The strain of all of it is visible on and off the field.

The Reds recent performances are a prime example highlighting that last point. For reasons both unique and not so unique to the Reds. On the field, the Reds have several problems midway through this regular season. A stagnant offense that doesn’t take advantage of many scoring opportunities. Following a league-wide trend of dependence on the long ball. Along with a lineup littered with players batting below .200. While the bullpen struggles as manager David Bell struggles with strategy.

Off of the field, 2020 has been a bizarre year for the Reds. Grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest. Along with the Thom Brennaman homophobic slur controversy. While trying to get approval from governments and MLB to have spectators at games. None of this was on the Reds radar when 2020 began.

All of these things are draining the fun out of this Reds season. The Reds seem overwhelmed by everything going on around them. This week is a vivid showcase that other athletes are overwhelmed by everything too. Making the boycotts even more understandable when put in that perspective. In the early days of this season; the Reds seemed happy just to be playing at all. After dealing with everything that led up to Opening Day. Along with the relatively high expectations many have for the Reds this year.

Since returning from a hiatus caused by a positive COVID-19 test on August 19th. The Reds have looked like a team whose collective heart isn’t in it. Going into Thursday striving to and ultimately snapping a four-game losing streak. Hopefully for the Reds, their double-header sweep on Thursday marks a long-term turnaround.