Friday, March 6, 2009

Why Wasn't This Treated Last Year?

From Tyler Kepner and Jack Curry:

Cashman said the Yankees discovered an irregularity in Rodriguez’s hip last May when he underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam for a right quadriceps injury. By June or July, the hitting coach Kevin Long said he could notice subtle changes in Rodriguez’s hitting, notably in his right foot — the back one in his stance.

The foot was not pivoting fully, Long said, and as a result, Rodriguez could not completely turn his waist and clear his hips. This caused his bat to drag and prevented him from driving through the ball and generating maximum power.

“Speed-wise, to catch up to 95-, 96-mile-an-hour pitches, you’ve basically got to get your hips through,” Long said. “It affects bat speed, power, balance. From a technical standpoint, it affects quite a few things. But he’s so gifted and so talented that he made do with what he had.”

Cashman said Rodriguez had always had stiff hips, and there was no need to examine him after the season. The condition was so minor, Cashman said, that Rodriguez did not seek treatment from team trainers last season.

“That’s why I termed it as an incidental finding,” Cashman said. “If you took an M.R.I. right now of everybody in our clubhouse, you are going to find in many of them — 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent — the same finding. Just because they have it doesn’t mean it’s a problem. Just because you have it doesn’t mean you need surgery.

“So that’s why you put it in the file,” he said. “You treat the patient, not the symptom. You don’t treat the M.R.I. You treat the patient.”

Other infielders had hip operations this winter, including Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell and Phillies second baseman Chase Utley. Both may be ready for the season opener.

If the Red Sox and Phillies were smart enough to handle their infielders' hip injuries over the offseason, why weren't the Yankees?

The blame falls squarely onto the laps of Brian Cashman, Joe Girardi, Hank and Hal Steinbrenner, and Alex Rodriguez himself. I'm shocked that not one of these guys thought it would be wise to handle this problem during the offseason just to be safe.

Now, as you know, A-Rod will be forced to attempt to play through the injury or have surgery that will put him on the shelf for most of the upcoming season. There's no getting around it, Cashman and co. took a manageable situation and turned it into a complete mess.

10 Comments:

Margo said...

I guess you have to talk to A-Rod's family to figure this out. Let's see...his cousin gives him steriods and his brother let's the Yankees know he needs surgery.

Bill-DC said...

Cal Ripken was on the Jim Rome show today and said this reminded him of Albert Belle's bad hip that ultimately forced him to retire.

Maybe ARod is doing a Shaq and thinking "I got hurt on company time, so I’ll heal on company time"

Margo said...

Bill-DC

I wish A-Rod could be trusted. If this was Jeter (and I hate to compare) but he would play. I think A-Rod is looking for a way out and it's sad to say. If A-Rod was dedicated to this team, he would have taken care of this. I'm sure he has a nephew that's a doctor

Anonymous said...

I, if he is out for a long time, they'll play as more of a team with the constant drama that comes with A-rod. Remember the teams of the mid-to-late 90's? We don't need an all-star at every position, just someone who plays with a lot of heart and gets the job done.

Anonymous said...

I meant to type "I think they'll play as more of a team without the constant A-rod drama"...I have to remember to preview my comments before posting.

Greg Cohen said...

Cro,

You might be right. I know they need their cleanup hitter, but on the other hand it might be nice not carrying around that drama everywhere they go.

We'll find out soon enough.

Greg Cohen said...

Bill-DC,

If that's what A-Rod is doing he should be shot.

Bill-DC said...

After I read Torre's book, nothing that guy does surprises me and I wouldn't be at all surprised if that is his attitude.

Greg Cohen said...

You have a point Bill.

New York Yankees Blog said...

Give A-rod the benefit of the doubt. He will come through and help the yanks win the series this year.