This is weird:
The friction between the Cubs and Sosa, following an injury-plagued season in which Sosa hit 35 home runs and batted only .253 — his lowest average since 1997 — has led to speculation Chicago will try to trade him. Sosa spent time this season on the DL with back problems brought on by a violent sneeze. His 80 RBI ended his run of 100-RBI seasons at nine.
I seem to remember a pitcher slipping in the shower inuring his wrist. Anyone else remember any weird injuries like this?
Francis W. Porretto
There are hundreds of cases each year of uncontrolled violent coughing leading to torn muscles in the lower abdomen and back. I can’t give you the names of sports figures who’ve been afflicted thus, but it’s a good bet that it’s happened to one or two of them.
Mikey
I once bent over to pull a letter out of my briefcase, which was sitting in my chair, and threw my back out for over a week. Just the wrong combination of movements and Bam!, dude you’re in serious pain.
Attila
The Mets had a young star in the early ’60s. Well, he was a star by those pitiful standards of the time. His name was Grover Powell. As I recall, he pitched a one-run, three-hitter in one of his first major-league starts. Within a couple of weeks, he had injured his throwing arm while combing his hair. According to Lindsey Nelson’s book Backstage at the Mets, Casey Stengel’s comment on the injury was “Greasy kid stuff!”
— Attila
Brian J.
Just a couple years ago, right before the playoffs, Mike Matheny, catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, cut himself deeply while opening a birthday present–a hunting knife.
Almost severed tendons, from what I remember, and was out for the playoffs.
In 1985 or 1987, Vince Coleman, outfielder for the Cardinals, was hit by an automated tarp as it automatically unfurled to protect the infield from rain. He strained or twisted something and was out for the playoffs.
jeff
Von Hayes of the Phillies once missed significant time because he gashed his finger assembling either a stairmaster or exercise bike (i forget which) in his home gym.
It didn’t help a guy who was already one of the most ridiculed and hated Phillies players ever.
Also, and details of this one are really sketchy as i was only about 7 or 8 at the time, but i kinda remember hearing that Cowboys safety Charlie Waters once dropped a mirror on his toe, but i don’t remember if he missed time or not.
Oh, another one, again with sketchy details, but didn’t Drew Pearson, ex-Cowboys WR, once sprain his ankle celebrating a touchdown?
And just to show i’m not an Eagles fan picking on Cowboys (and why would a fan of a team with zero Super Bowls mock a team with five anyway), but Eagles DT Hollis Thomas about two years ago broke his foot simply running out of the tunnel during pregame introductions.
jeff
Oh, just remembered another one (sorry to take up so much bandwith, John).
Didn’t Gus Frerrotte, when he was Redskins QB, once fuck up his neck when he headbutted the padding beneath the stands after he scored a TD?
Great topic, as I’m a little burned out arguing about politics. I’m not even watching the debate tonight. Instead, i’ll be tying on a good load in a nice, rented luxury RV in the parking lot of Beaver Stadium as i prepare to watch my alma mater (Penn State) get spanked by Purdue tomorrow.
JohnO
Compare and contrast to hockey players. During the playoffs in the 80’s one player (I think it was Bossy or Trottier) nearly cut his finger off with a hedge trimmer and still played. Ed Van Imp of the Flyers took a slap shot in the face in the first period, stopped the bleeding during the 2nd, played the 3rd, then went to the hospital to have his damaged teeth (6) removed.
Seth
What about Grammatica messing up his knee by jumping up and down to celebrate a kick? The dumbass always celebrated like he had done something special. I don’t think I have ever enjoyed an injury as much as that one.
shark
The Denver Broncos QB a couple yars ago tripped over his dog and hurt his back
Dodd
Shark got mine: That was Griese.
Ralph Gizzip
jeff, the Eagles won the Super Bowl in ’80 with Dick Vermeil as head coach. They beat the Raiders who were the first wild card team to make the Super Bowl. Just my little trivia offering.
Andrew J. Lazarus
I can’t remember the name, but two or three years ago a baseball player ended up on the DL after puncturing his eardrum trying to clean his ear with a Q-tip.
jeff
Ralph, thanks for the little trivia offering, but it’s wrong.
The Eagles made it to the Super Bowl that year, but got smoked by the Raiders, 27-10, largely because that nitwit Ron Jaworski threw three interceptions.
(took the ol laptop with me in RV. Beautiful day in State College today. Too bad Penn State is gonna get killed)