Jason Kendall, and Hoping for Injury
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Feb 16, 2011 5:05 PM EST
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PrintThere is a major ethical dilemma lurking around the 2011 Kansas City Royals. Their veteran catcher and future hall of famer Jason Kendall is progressing way ahead of schedule in his return from rotator cuff surgery. While this would seem to be good news, and it no doubt is great news for Jason personally, it is purely awful for the Royals. Is it ethical to root for injuries? How about a delayed rehab regimen or stint? What about a freak car accident? Am I a bad person?
via nbchardballtalk.files.wordpress.com
Jason wants me to just rub some dirt on this idea, it'll be fine.
Obviously the answer is yes I'm a bad person if I'm honestly rooting for an injury to spite a player I hate. I personally do not hate Jason Kendall. He, by all accounts, is a gritty and inspiring leader in the clubhouse (if you buy into anything baseball people say). However, his time as a useful big league catcher expired more than four years ago (and maybe before that). He played last season after severely injuring his throwing arm, turning him into a somehow worse defensive liability. Something is to be commended for playing hurt, but that is not commendable when it hurts the ballclub. We have catchers capable of contributing more, namely Brayan Pena, youngsters not that far from sipping the Koolaid of the Royals clubhouse (Perez and Pina), and a not-so-young guy who isn't very good that we got from the Dodgers in the Podsednik deal but has served his time in AAA.
I envisioned (or fancifully hoped) that the Royals would pull the "Keeping Three Catchers" routine from Major League 2, where Jake Taylor is informed that he is being kept on as a coach to groom the young catchers. That seemed plausible (given Kendall's coaching tree lineage) until the recent rumor and now report that Kendall may be ready very early in the season, prior to the announced May or June expecting date. We are more screwed than I thought if this guy catches more than previously expected.
I agree, skip, that Rube kid is going to be some kind of catcher. I think it's best for the club to keep three catchers.
Think about this one: the Royals actually can put together some lineups that don't completely suck without Kendall (and Chris Getz). However, Kendall's return, and the Process's undying love for Getzy, are seriously putting this in jeopardy.
CF Melky
2B Aviles
1B Billy
DH Kila
RF Frenchy
LF Gordon
3B Betemit
C Pena
SS Escobar
Not bad, eh? Simply mix in Moustakas when he's ready or Cain in the event other disasters veterans befall our roster. But then again, watch this:
2B Getz
C Kendall
1B Billy
DH Kila
RF Frenchy
3B Aviles
LF Gordon
CF Melky
SS Escobar
Jesus. Allah. Whatever non-deity you don't believe in. In any event, this is an atrocity worse than the Nazis. Well, maybe not, but it is awful. Any lineup that includes Getz and Kendall is apt to look this poor.
Recently, doglover Mark Buehrle ruffled some feathers (or paws, if you will) when he revealed that he wished for serious injury to befall doglover Michael Vick during this past NFL season. Some people moaned and groaned. Such personal wishes of evil are not really commendable on any level, regardless of your feelings about puppies. But there is something distinguishable about this kind of evil-wishing.
Seriously bizarre situation
But what about for the sake of the ballclub? Best wishes to Jason Kendall and his health, but bestest best wishes to the 2011 (and beyond) Royals, even if it takes a sacrificial act/injury of a gutsy and gritty and detrimental to the team catcher.
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I have this sneaking suspicion...
that Kendall won’t play a single pitch in the minors… he will be called up as soon as he is cleared, and catch the rest of the games of the season.
Your 2010 Royals Review Fantasy Football Keeper League Champion
Pitchers and Catchers report Feb 15, 2011
I know everyone hates Jason but...
I’ll throw out another view. What if the shoulder injury had been there for awhile (plausible) and had been hampering his ability to throw out runners? What if the surgery fixes that and he’s able to improve on that? Jason is a very good defensive catcher behind the plate(certainly miles ahead of Miggy). And while his bat carries no power he’s capable of hitting .250-270ish which is workable.
And he certainly knows how to work with pitchers. Maybe a healthier Jason Kendall is a better Jason Kendall (feel free to bombard me with taunts and insults :)
So he's needed surgery for 3 years?
Maybe after having surgery, his power will come back too.
Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball...Rock Chalk Talk
Like that kid on Rookie of the Year.
I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.
by mitchfreakingmaier! on Feb 17, 2011 10:27 AM EST up reply actions
Who's that kid playing for?
Is he available?
meh...
If his game calling is so good, then why are the Royals one of the few teams whose team ERA rose last year.
Your 2010 Royals Review Fantasy Football Keeper League Champion
Pitchers and Catchers report Feb 15, 2011
by averagegatsby on Feb 17, 2011 9:52 PM EST up reply actions
Betemit at third, Aviles at second, Yuni at short stop, Billy at first...
Meche was injured, Banny was injured, Hochaver was injured…
Might have had a little to do with it as well.
Go Royals!
Kendall catching more that one day a week
is a setback for the Royals. He won’t be here next year and Pena is ready to be tested as a big league regular. If BP can’t do it, KC needs to know this going into 2012. I believe Pena will be one of the surprises in the KC lineup. He has to give them more production than Kendall. What a disappointment if Kendall is ready before midsummer.
by daveyork on Feb 16, 2011 5:54 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
It's tough
Intellectually I want him on the DL all season. But I can’t really bring myself to wish injury (or prolonging an injury) on a player.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
This
I can’t bring myself to wish injury, but if he stupidly pushes his rehab too quickly and ends up prolonging his recovery a bit as a result, then that would be purely his own doing and would be OK with me.
by Black and Gold on Feb 17, 2011 12:31 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
this is exactly what I predict happens
he rushes his rehab and ends up being on the DL for most or all of the season.
he can still provide leadership in the clubhouse and the dugout with his arm in a sling.
"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell
This is what I'm talking about Scott. Hoping the man, get's injured....a car wreck maybe?
It’s just….oh forget it. You’ll never see it.
"The future, ain't what it used to be." ~Yogi Berra~
Hey, there's always the possibily we could flip him at or near the deadline......
for some sand…………..pure “grit.”
He's not only unflappable
he’s unflippable, too.
by Black and Gold on Feb 17, 2011 12:27 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Thus, the sand comment
I wonder how much sand we could get in return…..
by Cap Midnight on Feb 17, 2011 8:05 PM EST up reply actions
Unfair
I find it completely unfair that he gets to recover so quickly and will push to play by Opening Day. Meanwhile for the guys we do like all their injuries take forever to heal up, like Aviles and Coco Crisp.
by Royal from Queens on Feb 16, 2011 10:43 PM EST reply actions
And can you imagine how a not yet fully recovered Kendall would perform? Basically like your average middle school catcher.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Feb 16, 2011 10:51 PM EST up reply actions
It’s good for him that he has great durability and Wolverine type of regeneration and healing powers but he’s just been a terrible baseball player for the past 6 years and nothing I hate more than mediocrity being shoved down my throat.
by Royal from Queens on Feb 16, 2011 11:07 PM EST up reply actions
it was a dumb acquisition and its even dumber to play him every day....
but lets not shortchange what kendall has been…he’s been average or above for 3 out of the past 6 years. Sure, it wont happen again, but he’s awful enough at this point that you dont need to engage in crazy hyperbole to describe him.
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Feb 16, 2011 11:13 PM EST up reply actions
probably significantly better than a badly hurt kendall from last year....
although, that means he’ll still suck
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Feb 16, 2011 11:10 PM EST up reply actions
under...just slightly
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Feb 16, 2011 11:39 PM EST up reply actions
Well, now the Royals have gone and upset the hate equilibrium.
Go Royals!
by BabyBlues on Feb 16, 2011 11:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I'd say it's pretty close to that.
I had a conversation a couples days ago and my number was 120. I wonder if Brayan Pena will still be smiling at that point?
I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.
by mitchfreakingmaier! on Feb 17, 2011 10:30 AM EST up reply actions
I wish for him to not play any more games in a Royal uniform.
That’s it. I would hope that would b/c it is painfully obvious that he is a terrible player….but if not, then however it comes, I’ll take it.
Killing time until time kills me
by EspeciallyK on Feb 17, 2011 12:05 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
i say root for the injury
but not a serious one thats mean…. +1 espciallyk i agree no more games in a royals uniform would be fine for me as well
Like accidentally stab himself
trying to open a DVD case with a sharp knife?
by Royal from Queens on Feb 17, 2011 12:30 AM EST up reply actions
It's not super funny
But the Green Lantern has a cool ring, so he had to go to some great jeweler to get it. That’s the joke, right?
by Dadunca on Feb 17, 2011 10:35 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Mark Buehrle is a douche bag
You however, are just a caring fan. I applaud you, sir. And I wish you luck, but I’m afraid that Dayton Moore loves trying to prove people wrong when it comes to the Major League team even though he falls on his face most every time. We will continue watching Kendall do what he thinks is playing baseball most of the year until he is cut after hitting about .150 in about July.
Hating Zack Greinke irrationally since 2010.
being from stl and playing that long for the white sox....
there’s no way to avoid being a douchebag…it was inevitable
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Feb 17, 2011 12:50 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Very true.
Hating Zack Greinke irrationally since 2010.
by royaldaddy on Feb 17, 2011 8:02 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
.
Buehrle=gullible
The whole problem with the world is that fools & fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts. ~ Bertrand Russell
by SagehenMacGyver47 on Feb 17, 2011 12:41 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
What makes Buehrle a douchebag?
Certainly not the Michael Vick thing…right. In case you don’t remember…he brutally murdered a lot of dogs for no reason. I’d be willing to bet that if you had a pet and someone just came in and murdered him, you’d probably wish him a little harm too. I’m glad Buehrle was honest and man enough to say publicly what a hell of a lot of people were thinking.
Killing time until time kills me
by EspeciallyK on Feb 17, 2011 2:16 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
How is that hypocritical?
First, unless Vick’s backyard was taken over by the Chinese and nobody noticed, dogs aren’t food.
Second, even if Buehrle hunts primarily for sport, that’s so much more ethical that dog fighting. The former ideally involves little pain for the animal in question and occasionally can even help with population control. The latter is a brutal gladiatorial contest between animals who don’t even understand why they’re fighting.
Hunting, when done properly, respects life. In no way should it be likened to dog fighting.
by moregritplease on Feb 18, 2011 12:29 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Dogs were certainly food
for the Corps of Discovery, pretty much wherever the buffalo weren’t.
But that was awhile ago. Even before Jason Kendall was a rookie.
I'm probably a bad person,
but I’d be thrilled if Jason Kendall got more hurt. He’s already had a life that’s guaranteed to be 100 times cooler than mine ever will be.
Dear Alex Gordon:
I still think you will be awesome, but for the love of God, please stop getting hurt.
Sincerely,
RF
I don't want Kendall to get hurt badly
A sprained ankle or something else not too painful that won’t have long-term consequences will be fine. Just keep him out of the lineup.
"Crimes don't pay no one but the lawyers." --Last words of executed murderer Ernest Gaither Jr., 1947
Pulled Groin FTW!
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Feb 17, 2011 5:54 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Why couldn't someone wish injury?
He’s already gonna get paid no matter what. You don’t even have to hope that it won’t be painful to not be a bad person, since he already is taking on the risk by being a catcher.
We don't want him to suffer unnecessarily
Basic ethics, seems to me. Besides, he isn’t a bad person, just a bad catcher. Something like a popped hamstring would be appropriate to wish for. Having both legs chopped off by a machete-wielding madman would be a bit excessive.
"Crimes don't pay no one but the lawyers." --Last words of executed murderer Ernest Gaither Jr., 1947
Addendum:
He actually does seem like a bad person, or at least a major dickhead. Let’s up the acceptable pain level, while not completely destroying his life, to something that will end his career, like a broken ankle.
"Crimes don't pay no one but the lawyers." --Last words of executed murderer Ernest Gaither Jr., 1947
It's bad, but
it’s not our fault, this team has put us in this position by signing Kendall, by signing Kendall to a 2 year contract, by releasing Buck, by not signing any other viable option than Kendall, by not releasing Kendall.
It’s not like we are wishing he would die in a fire. I’m not. I swear.
relax guys
have you ever heard of a setback while rehabbing? Happens all the time.
The only measure of true success in the NFL is the Vince Lombardi trophy. Anything less is a rationalization.
not with kendall it doesnt
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Feb 17, 2011 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
What is the effect of arm tats on rotator cuff surgery?
I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.
by mitchfreakingmaier! on Feb 17, 2011 10:32 AM EST reply actions
Thank you for posting this
I was just going through this quandary after reading the Star article. I just hate him so much. Why can’t you frame a pitch? And why don’t you smile in pictures, you effing douche?
a quote from the article about salvatore perez
"And even when Kendall gets back," Yost said, "he’s not going to be catching every day. He’s going to have to work his way back into it. I think the guys we have can get us through until he comes back."
It gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside
and when I salvatore
I really mean Salvador
by don_jerovanni on Feb 18, 2011 10:53 AM EST up reply actions
I don't wish for injury
but I do wish GMDM cuts him. I know there is little chance of that happening, but a guy can hope.
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