When Philadelphia Phillies' J.T. Realmuto was hell-bent on staying unvaccinated despite the threat of missed games

In July 2022, Philadelphia Phillies All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto was hell-bent on staying unvaccinated despite the threat of missed games.

For admission into Canada, a COVID-19 immunization was necessary. Realmuto was unable to accompany his Phillies teammates to Toronto for a two-game series because he was not immunized.

He said:

"I'm a healthy 31-year-old professional athlete and I just didn't feel I needed to get it. I had COVID a couple of times, super-mild symptoms, back when it first came out. When it came time to decide whether I needed the vaccine or not, I talked with doctors I knew and I told them my story and decided I didn't think I needed it."

He added:

"I wasn't going to take it just because I was told to, basically. What's money when I'm not going to let Canada tell me what I do and don't put in my body? For a little bit of money, it's not worth it."

"Unvaccinated J.T. Realmuto comments on missing Phillies series vs. Blue Jays: 'Not gonna let Canada tell me what I put in my body'" - Sporting News MLB

Realmuto was replaced by Triple-A catcher Rafael Marchan to play the two-game series in Toronto against the Blue Jays.

Phillies' J.T. Realmuto was recently ejected after a miscommunication with umpire Randy Rosenberg

Washington Nationals v Philadelphia Phillies: PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 06: J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a two-run home run against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on August 6, 2022, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

On Monday, Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto was ejected during a warm-up game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Dunedin Stadium. The expulsion came after umpire Randy Rosenburg was furious with a failed ball exchange that followed a pitch-clock violation.

"Will MLB Umpire Randy Rosenberg be suspended for throwing out Realmuto? Ejection brings officiating under the scanner." - Baseball In Pics

Next, the Phillies are getting ready to open the 2023 MLB season with six consecutive away games against the Texas Rangers.