Baseball has had a wild and heated beginning that some might have missed with all the outside distractions. All the eyes of the sports’ world were focused on the NFL Draft and the playoffs for the NHL and NBA this past week. Johnny Football is making Cleveland forget about Lebron and Michael Sam is making headlines for breaking down ancient grid-iron barriers. South Beach and South Texas look to be on a collision course for a NBA Finals rematch in June. Not to mention, it has been wide open on the ice. While that’s intriguing T.V., MLB is hitting the quarter poll with multiple story lines that you might have missed. I decided to do this in reverse order, in honor of Mother’s Day. Like a meal she would serve us, we get the Brussels sprouts out of the way and end with the Bananas Foster.
The Ugly: More Tommy John Surgeries
Tommy John surgery has become more common than filling a cavity. We are losing young arms to the trash heap at an alarming rate. Sure, most eventually come back, and play well. Some don’t. Some have multiple cuts in their careers. But, we lose at least a season as a fan. There are already 14 Tommy John surgeries in MLB already in 2014 (not counting Marlin’s ace Jose Fernandez, who is undergoing medical opinions this week). There were 19 last year.
So,why are there so many TJ’s today, when just a few years ago it was a rarity. There are so many theories from so many experts. Maybe kids are breaking down arm ligaments in early youth from bad mechanics. There’s also the thought that stronger, more violent arm motions, that have led to a higher velocity, are making pitchers more susceptible to blow-outs. A younger generation’s poor diets may have led to this. Weight training for pitchers, may have actually become a negative. Joints and ligaments were not intended to absorb these larger frames flying off the mound.
Then there’s the theory that some of these surgeries are not necessarily needed. That some of these guys could fight their way through the pain. With all these salaries going through the roof, a combination of clubs and agents being overly protective could be the root of it all too. What ever happened to a pitcher’s arm just being sore? Walk it off? Rub some dirt on it? Guess that’s not the Dr. Phil answer this generation got while being put in time-out. Too far? Ok, I’ll pipe down and go pick out my switch. Mom’s probably fuming by now, and I can’t let her pick it out.
The Bad: Bullying Umpires
Laz Diaz should flat out be suspended for his pathetic bullying behavior towards the New York Yankees last week. Diaz was the home plate umpire for the Angels vs. Yanks early last week. After several blown ball and strike calls, Joe Girardi chirped a bit from the dug out. Diaz, as opposed to warning or ignoring Girardi, waved his finger at the Yankee skipper in Dikembe Mutumbo-like demeaning style. With good reason, Girardi exploded and was tossed from the game. A little later, reliever Shaun Kelley of the Yankees showed his displeasure as he was being subbed from the game. Diaz waved his hand (shooing) and clearly repeatedly said loudly to Kelley “Keep walking! Keep going! Keep going! Keep going.” And when Kelley responds to those asinine comments, Diaz tosses a reliever who was already heading for the showers.
The MLB commissioner’s office should have stepped in immediately. Fine Laz Diaz for this kind of Bush League behavior! And while you’re at it, suspend him for at least a week. A message needs to be sent to all umpires that they are not entitled to bully or parade around as if they are untouchable police force. The paying fans are there to see the players not a circus side show. How do you know umpires or referees did a good job at the end of a game? You never noticed them to begin with.
The Good: Replay
On a positive note from the umpiring this year, replay has been a fairly smooth implementation. This is the first year of a true replay system in the Majors. Sure, we’ve seen some controversial plays that were not called correctly. But, there have been several wrongs righted along the way. I absolutely love replay. Over time the kinks will be worked out. We are only about a month in. Don’t tell me it takes too long. A couple of minutes looking at the monitor, is worth getting the call right. Although we’ll miss the tirades of a Bobby Cox or Lou Pinella, it’s 2014 and we have the the technology to improve our lives. I don’t just want an app that faces my book or snaps my chat, I want a game that’s just and a winner that’s deserving.
The Best: Mothers
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers. I know it’s a few days late. My love of sports came from both of my parents and grandparents. My mom was born in Brooklyn. We bonded over the diamond for as long as I can remember. Her favorite moment was Pee Wee Reese hugging Jackie Robinson. I feel like I actually watched The Great Brooklyn Dodgers win it all in ’55 and the Miracle Mets in ’69. I’ve been lucky. Most guys have spent their lives talking to their Mothers about things that just simply past the time. I’ve spent mine hashing out the disappointments of free agency, the gentleman’s code of baseball and the absurdity of the designated hitter.
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