In May 2022, Benny Gallo stood at the ball field in Encinitas, California. A former Angels minor leaguer and MLB scout, he faced a significant decision when the Nationals fired him due to his refusal to get a Covid-19 vaccine. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Would He Do It All Over Again?

This was the one question that lingered in our minds as we interacted with Benny Gallo. He, however, was eager to talk about baseball, which is not just a job for him but a part of his identity.The wonder of a freshly mowed field, the pride in identifying potential talents, and the camaraderie among colleagues - these are the elements that make baseball truly special for Gallo. "The energy of baseball, and the people that are in baseball, that’s really contagious," he said. "You are in your element."For Gallo, his life in baseball came to an end three years ago when the Washington Nationals let him go. The Nationals had a strict policy of requiring their employees to get the COVID vaccine, and Gallo refused.He took legal action, citing his convictions as a devout Christian regarding the sanctity of his physical body. The Nationals had advised employees about reasonable accommodation for those with sincerely held religious beliefs, but in this case, they couldn't accommodate Gallo as not getting vaccinated posed a risk to others.In a potential trial, U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta ruled that the Nationals could challenge the sincerity of Gallo's religious beliefs. Eventually, the two parties agreed to a confidential settlement after two years and four months. Gallo did not get his job back with the Nationals and is still out of baseball.One spring day, he drove from his home in Encinitas to Orange County to watch a high school game featuring Harvard-Westlake shortstop Bryce Rainer, who was soon to be a first-round draft pick. "Really talented," Gallo said. "You could see this guy is legit."Today, Gallo's stance on vaccinations might not be a concern for teams. The Nationals have not responded to inquiries about their current vaccination policy, but MLB itself does not mandate vaccinations for employees. In 2021, MLB required vaccinations for those in the league office.Over the past three years, 19 states have passed laws regarding exemptions from COVID vaccinations. This includes 10 states that require private employers to exempt those with religious reasons for not getting the shot.Gallo wonders if his refusal to get the vaccine is the reason he can't get a scouting job or even an interview. However, he acknowledges that it's a tough time for scouts in general. "You have a better chance of getting a seat on the next space shuttle than getting a job any more," he said.He is 66 years old and has noticed the lawsuit filed against MLB by 17 former scouts alleging age discrimination. The suit has now expanded to 35 scouts, but no trial date has been set.In the era of the data revolution, teams are increasingly using video analysis instead of or in addition to scouts. Just last month, MLB announced a deal with a Swiss technology company to provide video-driven analysis from 20,000 games each year to the 30 teams.Life was simpler in 1980 when Gallo was picked in the same draft as Darryl Strawberry. "He was 1," Gallo said with a laugh. "I was 396."He has tried different things since leaving baseball - selling cars, driving for Lyft, and getting certified as a personal trainer. He is even considering bartending. "I took my Social Security early and my baseball pension early, so I have that," he said. "But it’s been hard. I miss baseball. I think that is where I belong."Looking directly at us, he asked a thought-provoking question: "If someone told you that you couldn’t write any more, what would you do?"No one told Gallo he couldn't scout anymore until he refused the vaccine. "If someone thought that taking the vaccine was the right thing to do, for whatever reason, that’s fine," he said. "But, for me, what I did was the right thing to do."So, the question remains: Knowing what he knows now, would Gallo do it all over again? "I would do it over again."