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Crawford probably out for first round
Posted By Marc Lancaster at Sep 24, 2008 at 03:37 PM
Updated Sep 24, 2008 at 03:48 PM

BALTIMORE—Carl Crawford still insists his right hand feels good enough to play, but it sounds like the medical staff isn’t nearly as confident.

They still have not cleared Crawford to hit off live pitching and it doesn’t sound like that’s in the offing for this weekend, as Crawford had hoped. As a result, he acknowledged he isn’t likely to be ready in time for the Division Series.

“I was [going to take batting practice], but then they pulled back on that because the doctor don’t want me swinging this early still,” said Crawford. “I feel good. I feel like I could play a game today if I had to, but it’s just kind of put on hold right now.

“If I’m not taking BP this week, the first round is looking a little iffy right now. That’s what I was really worried about and that’s what I’m more disappointed about.”

The doctor who performed the surgery on Crawford last month is insisting the player wait the prescribed eight weeks before getting back to full activity, allowing the hand to heal. If Crawford has to adhere to that timeline, the eight weeks would expire just about the time the ALCS gets under way.

“It’s just frustrating, because by eight weeks, I know I’ll be more than ready to play by then,” he said.

Send Us Your Comments

Posted by Sam, Short Hills, NJ on 09/25 at 09:48 PM

Anthony,
You are entitled to your opinion, but I am surprised you think he should throw away his career potentially for one game. You are dedciated him to a life of pain in his hand if anything goes wrong - basically think of having arthrtis.

Trust me, it is not worth it. At least in not my (or the doctors) opinion. Good luck with that opinion - I hope you never have to make a choice like that. I have had to.

Posted by Gene, Lutz on 09/25 at 08:40 AM

Sam, you are right. Although it is not exactly the same procedure, remember Dan Boyle this time last year. Had he waited a few more weeks, he would have been fully healed. They rushed him back and had to wait longer, and the season was lost. Yes, it is our first ever playoff round, but I want CC in Left Field for the next 10 years, not in the next 10 days.

Posted by anthony, tampa on 09/25 at 08:34 AM

yea but if i was getting paid the contract and have the money i would play cause not much players ever get a chance at this position and if i get hurt again just think of the security of money and look at the positive in life but definatly take the chance

Posted by Sam, Short Hills, NJ on 09/25 at 07:44 AM

Ronald, Anthony,
Put yourself in your shoes - then put yourself in your doctor’s shoes. If your doctor tells you may damage your hand for life so you should not play baseball, what would you choose? You damage your hand, your career is over - but you got to play in a first round playoff game! That is a lot of lost income on the table you just left behind.

I agree with the doctors in this case, no one wants to see him damage his career just because he came back a week too early. I don’t know what you both do for a living, but how you would you like to be in the doctor’s position and if you said, “Go ahead, play the game,” and then his career ended - how would you feel?

Posted by Roland Woltman, Plant City on 09/25 at 03:52 AM

Seems to me they should be able to make a brace and/or some type of rubber insert to absorb some of the impact on that finger… Even if he can’t field until the ALCS as a pinch runner/hitter and a DH option he would be very valuable.
If I was him I’d tell the Doc to sux it.
I’d atleast be trying in the cage to see if there was any pain.Of coarse this is the same CC that would pitch a fit before playing CF even if it was best for the team…

Posted by anthony, tampa on 09/24 at 06:12 PM

this is a one in lifetime chance he should play cause you never kno when youll be back at this position in your life let him play