(Photo: Chung Sung-Jun, Getty Images)
When former Detroit Tigers shortstop Dixon Machado smashed a go-ahead three-run homer during Opening Day of the Korea Baseball Organization, nobody was in the stands to celebrate.
He trotted around the bases, hearing cheers only from his teammates. The placards in the seats used to resemble fans didn’t hoot and holler in excitement.
Sports without fans because of the novel coronavirus pandemic became a reality just past 1 a.m. Tuesday when the KBO League’s opener was broadcast live on ESPN, showcasing the NC Dinos and Samsung Lions as one of five games in South Korea.