Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Mild Concussion Symptoms

Four hundred and twenty days after taking a blow to the head in Toronto, Justin Morneau finds himself sidelined with "mild concussion symptoms."

This technically marks the first time since the end of last year that Morneau has missed regular-season time as a result of the brain injury that cut short his 2010 campaign.

But, in light of these recurring symptoms, one does wonder how much the first baseman's dismal performance this year can be attributed to the concussion's after-effects. It's been nearly 14 months since Morneau suffered the injury, yet he still barely resembles his old self on the field and can't be in a good place if he's asking out of the lineup.

I suppose one could call Morneau "soft," since that seems to be the popular treatment for wounded baseball stars around these parts. I personally doubt that he's very much enjoying the afflictions that continue to torment him, regardless of how much money he's making.

Morneau once built a reputation as one of the game's sturdiest and most durable sluggers, yet this year he's missed starts on separate occasions due to a sore wrist, a sore foot, a sore shoulder, the flu, a neck injury and now symptoms relating to a concussion that he sustained well over a year ago.

The guy has been frustrated this year. But can anyone blame him?

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gad, this sucks. Mornie's my favorite player since Puckett. Wish this had happened to ARod instead ...

Diesel said...

Hopefully Denard Span doesn't go down the same road. We need him back to form. He was on his way to winning a second MVP then this happened in 2010. Why couldn't it be someone else without 2X MVP talent or someone on the other team? I suggest the Twins impose a clubhouse only no head first sliding rule. Much like little league.

Twin #1 said...

Unfortunately both Span and Morneau got injured sliding feet-first, so I'm not sure what the head-first rule would accomplish.

Drew said...

Nick, do you think there is any chance the Twins would look into acquiring Prince Fielder? I just don't think I can do another season of Sorta-Morneau, and that really breaks my baseball loving heart.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I'd rather see them go get Jose Reyes. He's probably a little cheaper than Fielder and still only 28 - in addition to leading the NL in hitting. Nishioka needs to go back to Japan - period.

Anonymous said...

Sorry guys, the last thing we are going to do is go out and spend $150+ million on 1 guy. Get ready for an offseason of signing relievers and maybe a trade or two to get a low 90s, strike throwing starter.

Anonymous said...

Starters - Mark Buehrle and C.J. Wilson both would be nice additions.

Reyes is Not going to get $150M. Maybe 1/2 that - which is still risky, but then so is every other deal.

Matt said...

Yet another downer on this horrid season.
I sure hope everyone gets healthy; this is a decent roster when healthy.
I sure hope they go find/trade/sign a FA starter.

Anyone else losing hope?

kirby96 said...

No, Morneaus's not soft. He has suffered discrete, definable injuries that medical staff can diagnose and attempt to treat. The same is not true of Mauer, hence the 'soft' label (although I personally think its mental with Mauer, perhaps depression). The really unfortunate thing about Morneau is if that fairly routine dive brought back concussion symptoms we could be getting to the place where he is simply done. We cant have a first baseman that needs to avoid such a play or risk serious injury.

Anonymous said...

'technically marks the first time' translates or resembles to never recovered from the injury - akin to football players whose brains never recover and degenerate. Injuries notwithstanding due to freak accidents or whatever you want to call them - don't forget Cuddy missed an entire season with the broken bone in his foot. The case with Mauer is strange because it smacks both he and the trainers/docs don't know much. If Mauer's range of motion was so bad while swinging at a ball on a tee - where's the soft-tissue management/therapy vis-a-vis a knowledable trainer/chiropractor/massage therapist? Is Mauer bereft of knowing how to train and treat injuries or speak up? Is his timidity a reflection of shyness or mean he's not too bright? I wonder about the trainers and coaches on this team and can't help but think, (freak injuries withstanding) that some coaches and trainers must be replaced. Thoughts anyone?

Anonymous said...

Wahhhh, bwahhh, blubber, blubber.

I'm frustrated. That's my response for withholding information. I'm going to cry and say I am frustrated so everyone feels bad for me and I win their sympathy.