Asides

A Fastball to the Face Has to Hurt

Every winter, baseball fans around the country count down the days until spring training.  This year I was particularly excited when teams broke camp in Florida and Arizona and finally headed back to their home cities for opening day.  With an economic crisis, rampant piracy and a terrifying outbreak of swine flu dominating the news, baseball’s ability to entertain and unite is important.

That said, the sport has its scary moments.  The point of this little post is to acknowledge two men who through incredible toughness embody the American spirit on the playing field.  The courage they demonstrated on the field lets the rest of us know that we can overcome anything.  No crisis, virus or pirate has a chance if either of these men have anything to say about it.

The first of those men is umpire Kerwin Danley.  Last year, due to what I am assuming was a mix up between Dodgers pitcher Brad Penny and catcher Russell Martin, Danley took a 94 mph fastball off his mask.  Despite his terrifying experience, Danley was soon out of the hospital and back to calling balls and strikes.  Last week, Danley was knocked unconcious by a broken bat.  I wish him the best and hope he is soon standing behind the plate again.

My next shout out goes to Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks for his unbelievable display of toughness.  After taking a mid-ninties Edinson Volquez fastball to the face on a bunt attempt, Weeks stood up and took his base.

Your courage is admirable guys.

© 2009 The Daily Interweb.