In a week when my editor went on the IL (recover SOON!), baseball’s greatest free agent-to be, Shohei Ohtani has been shelved from pitching due to an UCL tear in his pitching arm. Ohtani had been feeling arm fatigue and he removed himself from his last start versus the Reds.
The word is that he will remain as a designated hitter for the remainder of the year, as the Japanese star chases Aaron Judge’s American League home run record of 62 long balls, set just last season. Personally, I question whether he will be able to hit as well as he likes with this injury, and for how long before it completely stops him from playing this season.
Given the mega contract he was going to receive as the 2023 AL M.V.P., possibly breaking Judge’s record and being a top line pitcher, Ohtani’s bargaining position has changed dramatically. With this development, would he stay with the Angels, or does he hold the team responsible in some way for his injury? Then there is the question of how effective co-star Mike Trout will be going forward—Trout returned to the IL after one game, as his broken hamate bone has not healed sufficiently. And there is the additional question if the Angels hierarchy has done enough to persuade Ohtani that the team has improved significantly to make them a contender.
Of course, there is the big question that is outstanding. Will Ohtani submit to a second Tommy John surgery, effectively keeping him from playing for a large chunk of 2024, and will any team be willing to pay top dollar not knowing if Ohtani will pitch again like he did before the ligament tear and what frequency will he be able to throw upon his return—every sixth day? As an opener? Or as a closer?
Undoubtedly, Shohei Ohtani is unique. His present condition makes the uniqueness of his new contract, already presumed to be in uncharted waters, quite murky to his suitors.
Normally, I don’t feel that much for baseball players who are highly overpaid, like many others in different sports. It is a shame that the baseball world might be deprived of the special talent of Shohei Ohtani for awhile, if not forever.
I was reminded of this when I saw the Steven Strasberg, the Washington Nationals pitching phenom who was the 2019 World Series M.V.P., could not make it back from thoracic outlet surgery and will be retiring. Fame in sports is fleeting. Those who last the longest are the luckiest—even if they fanatically take care of their bodies like Tom Brady did.
There was only one Babe Ruth. There has been only one Shohei Ohtani. Just like there is only one Aaron Judge. Remember, Judge was away from the Yankees lineup for 50 games, his status contributing to the team’s precipitous decline.
Judge single-handedly ended the Yankees nine game losing streak by slugging three home runs at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night—a first for his career. Look—the team has many flaws and is not making the playoffs. But for one magnificent night, Judge, along with woefully underperforming pitcher Luis Severino, reminded Yankees fans why the season has been so disappointing.
On Thursday afternoon, Judge and slugger Giancarlo Stanton, so devoid of power most of the season, both homered, yet the bullpen imploded once more. A quick return to mediocrity. Bringing up the kids of the future to see how they can handle big league pitching is nice—but this never would have happened if the season had gone as expected.
I have wasted enough time on the Yankees plight. An avid Bombers fan asked me at the gym at the beginning of the week which team I am rooting for now that the Yankees are toast.
Good question. One which I hadn’t given much thought. And it made me think and watch some games this week to get a perspective.
First, I hope the Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks make the post-season. That is because I saw them play each other in Milwaukee in June. Both teams have had rollercoaster seasons—in and out of playoff positions. The Brewers sit at 70-57, with a three game lead on the Chicago Cubs and they are four ahead of Cincinnati.
Arizona actually fell below .500 but now sports a 67-61 record. Winners of five in a row and eight of ten, the D-backs sit in the final National League Wild Card spot, 0.5 ahead of both San Francisco and Cincinnati.
I watched the Philadelphia Phillies, last year’s World Series representative for the National League, as they took on San Francisco at Citizens Bank Field in South Philadelphia. Occupying the top NL Wild Card position, the Phils are two games in front of Chicago, which is at 67-62. I like their swagger/confidence. I think Manager Rob Thompson is a good field general—he was Joe Girard’s excellent bench coach when Girardi managed the Yankees.
The fellow I spoke with likes Atlanta. Who wouldn’t? The Braves possess the best record in baseball, are strong across the board, and they appear superior to the Los Angeles Dodgers, which trails the Braves in the race for best record in the league by four games.
So in the National League I would like to see the Cubs, Reds and Diamondbacks make the playoffs. Except that one of the three won’t overtake Philadelphia. Nor necessarily beat Atlanta or LA.
In the American League, I cannot root for any team other than the Baltimore Orioles. After all, Fan X and I make an annual pilgrimage to the Inner Harbor. We root for the home team, and this year the young talent is that good.
The team which has my interest other than the Orioles is Seattle. Red hot since the All-
Star break (remember—the ASG this year was in their ballpark), this team has a legitimate, young superstar in Julio Rodriguez. Coupled with fine pitching from Luis Castillo and Logan Gilbert and the players who can hit, the playoff drought could finally end in the Pacific Northwest.
It may be too late for them, yet I am watching the late surge by the Boston Red Sox. Boston may be the fourth place team in the strong American League East, but they are playing sound baseball. Thursday night’s 17-1 thumping of a good Houston team once more reminds me not to count the Red Sox out—even if they have to surpass Toronto, Seattle, Texas or Houston to sneak in as the final seed.
Two more things. There was this silly debate over who is the best point guard ever in the NBA. Steph Curry was interviewed on a podcast hosted by former player Gilbert Arenas and Curry said he was.
Now you know I love Steph Curry. Great shooter, Great ball handler. A winner.
I happen to agree with one Michael Jeffrey Jordan, as eminent an authority that there might be on the subject of NBA players. The Mouth that Roared on ESPN, Stephen A. Smith started to give credence to Curry’s claim he is the top PG.
Number 23 simply reminded us of Earvin “Magic” Johnson. His statistics dwarf Curry’s in most every category—even with his contracting HIV, which shortened his career.
Curry is the great shooter. Magic is the great winner. Discussion is over.
Lastly, the Washington Commanders beat the Baltimore Ravens in pre-season football. Normally, I could care less. Until I saw that this ended the Ravens’ 24 game winning streak in the pre-season. Talk about streaks which may never be matched given the propensity to stay healthy first and win with guys who might not even make the team playing the majority of the games. I found the record Baltimore set to be astounding.
That’s it until next week. College football begins in earnest. I might discuss pro football too.
Until then, back to reading more Daniel Silva.
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