Comments on: The AFC North Injury Report (Unofficial)

By: Homer J.

Homer J. — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 10:35:13 +0000

Sandy Koufax was born in Brooklyn, signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers as a bonus baby, played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and was the last pitcher ever to pitch for Brooklyn, throwing a scoreless ninth inning in the last game of the 1957 season, a 2-1 loss at Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia on September 29, 1957. After the 1957 season, they moved to Los Angeles, and he played with the Dodgers until he retired after the 1966 season. In fact, Koufax never pitched professionally for any team other than the Dodgers. He signed as a bonus baby at age 19 for $14,000, and his signing bonus exceeded the $4000 limit imposed by MLB at the time, which forced the Dodgers to keep him on their roster for two years. So Koufax never played even a single game in the minor leagues. Not a one. That’s enough trivia for today. Except for this:

In 1954, Koufax was a student at the University of Cincinnati and was said to have an exceptional fastball. A New York Giant scout too a look at him and filed a glowing report. Nothing. The Pirates brought him to Forbes Field, where he actually broke the thumb of Pirates’ bullpen catcher Sam Narron with a fastball. Pirates’ GM Branch Rickey raved that Koufax had the best arm he had ever seen. But the Dodgers offered Koufax that big $14,000 bonus, and Sandy signed with his hometown team and never wore another uniform other than Dodger Blue. The Dodgers’ play-by-play announcer at that time, of course, was a young Vin Scully.

LikeLike

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 02:51:25 +0000

I expect you’re right. I once tried to figure out the increases in speed and mass over the years and then calculate the increased force, but not being a physicist and all I wasn’t satisfied I had the correct calculation. But there is no doubt players are faster than 20 years ago, and bigger, although not at all positions, and this is starting to reverse. But I’m hoping there is more to it.

LikeLike

By: fanofgd

fanofgd — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 23:02:39 +0000

Guess I will go with the simple answer. There is no way for the human body to acclimate to blunt force trauma. Players only hope they can play in the next game. Yea there are lots of variables, but as a player if you expose yourself long enough to these forces a major injury will find you. Maybe Harrison’s strength, flexibility, and endurance regime makes him more “bullet-proof” or maybe he is just a little bit luckier than most.

LikeLike