By Josh:
This weekend I did something unusual, I watched baseball. Okay so that isn’t unusual but during the game a few things happened that got my mind going on a few different topics to write about. The first was playing injured.
Now if you have ever played competitive baseball you have played hurt at some point. Whether its bruised legs, sprained fingers, sore shoulder or a long list of other regular pains felt by baseball players who play on a regular basis. Playing hurt is pretty common. However, there are those players who will do whatever it takes to stay in a game, even when their injury is more than the common pain. They will tell their coach they are fine, and go on even when they shouldn’t. Being on the field is that important to them.
This weekend I was taking photos of the Lower Columbia College game when one of the guys, I won’t mention his name, although his teammates will know who it is, got hurt in a not so friendly place for guys. It was simply described as a straight on cup check. I’ve had this before and for those of you that don’t know, it hurts. It straight up ends any joy and happiness you might have for 24 hours minimum.
Coaches asked him if he was okay and he shook it off like it was nothing. He wanted to be on the field helping his team and no pain was going to stop him. He pushed through it, at least for a little while until the coaches felt enough was enough and pulled him. Oh and he was starting to get a little dizzy from the pain. I got dizzy just listening to what happened to him.
Once he got off the field you could see that he was really feeling it.
This really got me thinking about just how much competitors are willing to go through to help their team win. However, at what point does a competitor have to realize that playing hurt might not give their team the best chance to win?
There have been numerous players who have played not just a game or a series, but much of a season hurt because they wanted to do whatever they could to help their team win.
Robinson Cano last season played hurt for a few months. It affected his stats in a big way. He was still a solid player but not a great one during the injury. Would it have helped the Mariners more if he had put on the 15 day DL to try and heal some?
Kirk Gibson played hurt in a World Series and came up with one of the most iconic homeruns in baseball history. He could barely move but his pain wasn’t enough to keep him from stepping in and playing when he had the chance.
Playing hurt vs taking the time to heal is a tough decision for any competitor. When you work so hard to be on the field and to make a difference, watching the game from the bench can be devastating. I hated sitting on the bench. Even when I couldn’t lift my arm high enough to throw over hand I still fought to play first base. Competitors want the ball even if they aren’t 100%.