November -- Thoughts of the Day

[boston_aloha]

Just thought I'd start the new one....

[catman]

Good idea. We can talk about the free agents in this thread as well.
How about that kid from Japan, Daisuke Matsuzaka? He seems to be the hottest name since Contrearas. Where will he end up?

[catman]

AL Gold Glovers announced:
http://tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=182726&hubname=
Congratulations to the award winners.

[boston_aloha]

Chavez deserves it, but I'll just remember him missing that one against Detroit (can't remember which game 1 or 2 maybe) that just opened up a 4 run inning in the 8th or something... Kind of like Tori Hunter's misplay in the ALDS....
Oh well - All those guys are great fielders.

[catman]

Ken Rosenthal's column is interesting today:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6132704

[catman]

There is a major league all-star team touring Japan. Here is the story on their most recent game: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6134338

[catman]

And a story that is bad news for my team. Francisco Liriano will undergo "Tommy John" surgery on Monday in LA. He will be out of action from 12-14 months, so he should be ready for spring training, 2008.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6134476

[boston_aloha]

Yeah - that sucks. Hope this kid can recover and get back to 100%

Pretty interesting stuff for those who didn't know...
Tommy John surgery, known by doctors as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (or UCL), is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body (often from the forearm, hamstring, knee, or foot of the patient). The surgery is named after Tommy John, a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers who was the first professional athlete to successfully undergo the operation in 1974. The procedure was performed by Dr. Frank Jobe.

Chances of a complete recovery after surgery are estimated today at 85 to 90 percent. At the time of Tommy John's operation, Jobe put his odds at 1 in 100. After his surgery in 1974, John spent 18 months rehabilitating his arm, returned for the 1976 season, and went on to pitch in the major leagues until 1989 at age 46. Today, the procedure takes about an hour. Full rehabilitation takes about a year for pitchers and about 6 months for position players.

It is not uncommon today for pitchers to throw harder after the surgery than they did before the injury that caused the surgery to be necessary. However, this results not because of the surgery itself, but from the rigorous rehabilitation that ensues following surgery.

Today, the injury and eventual surgery are becoming more common in children ranging from 10-18 due to increased season length and the more frequent use of breaking pitches by young pitchers.

A torn elbow ligament — the most common cause of what was simply called "dead arm injury" during most of the 20th century — can be caused by a number of things, but the injury is most common in pitchers and the most frequent cause is throwing too hard or overwork.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_John_Surgery

[catman]

NL Gold Gloves announced today: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2646283

[catman]

Pedro Martinez is considering retirement -- http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/6134556?FSO1&ATT=HMA
This would leave a huge hole in the Mets rotation.

[catman]

And Dayn Perry weighs in with his "biggest stories" piece: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6126084

[doublee]

Pedro Martinez is considering retirement -- http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/6134556?FSO1&ATT=HMA
This would leave a huge hole in the Mets rotation.

Can't say as I am surprised by that. I heard either Gammons or Olney on ESPN Radio earlier in the week say that the Mets were planning next year with the notion that Pedro either would not pitch at all or would miss significant time next year. Good thing Minaya gave him that guaranteed fourth year. :lol:

Epstein seems to look smarter and smarter every week that goes by that another story about Pedro's physical well-being declining.

[catman]

There is a possibility that the Giles brothers will play together next season:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6139030
I, personally, think this would be a good move, although Marcus would be asked to move to 3B to play in San Diego. He has expressed willingness to make the move.

[buckeyefan78]

A's looking to build new house in Fremont.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2652436

[catman]

Sounds very good. They need a new place to play.

[catman]

Rumors are flying that Pettitt and Clemens are going to return to the Yankees: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6147984

[catman]

Francisco Liriano underwent his surgery on Monday: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6134482
I hope he makes a full recovery.

[Marc]

The thoughts of the day threads are being discontinued/retired for the time being, sort of an experiment. Please see http://www.sports-central.org/community/boards/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=15352 and I encourage you to start new threads for worthwhile topics.