BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: Morrissey: How could Chicago Cubs not see Rich Harden’s injury coming?

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

Morrissey: How could Chicago Cubs not see Rich Harden’s injury coming?

Yes, bigmouth strikes again.

The quote of the season thus far from Cubs manager Lou Piniella (and, yes, it is early):

“The amazing thing about it is, every time I’ve talked to him he’s felt really good. But this thing crept up and now we’ve got to deal with it.”

“He” is pitcher Rich Harden and “this thing” is Harden’s balky back. That Piniella could be amazed by any injury involving Harden is the most amazing thing of all. The guy collects injuries as if they were frequent-flier miles.

The lower back strain puts Harden on the disabled list for the seventh time since 2005.

His quote in reaction to the injury was pretty amazing too:

“It hit me out of nowhere.”

No. Injuries don’t come out of nowhere for Harden. They come out of everywhere. This is a man who could get hurt falling asleep.

Repoz Posted: May 24, 2009 at 12:14 PM | 8 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: cubs

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1. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: May 24, 2009 at 01:19 PM (#3191116)

I didn't hear Ricky boy complaining when Harden went 5-1 with a 1.77 ERA to finish last season.

Besides, talk about misplaced grousing. The Cubs pitching, Harden or no, has been excellent. But the offense has vanished.

2. Starlin of the Slipstream (TRHN) Posted: May 24, 2009 at 03:13 PM (#3191160)

I'm pretty sure that it's the specific injury that hit Pinella out of nowhere, not the fact that he's injured at all. This reads like a willful misinterpretation of Lou's comments in order to fill column inches.

3. FBI Regional Bureau Chief GORDON COLE!!! Posted: May 24, 2009 at 03:19 PM (#3191163)

Least it wasn't his arm.

4. Fred Garvin still has outstanding warrants Posted: May 24, 2009 at 04:30 PM (#3191201)

Yes, it's true that Harden has an injury history. Still, even if Morrissey could see it coming, what would he suggest they have done about it?

5. The importance of being Ernest Riles Posted: May 24, 2009 at 05:13 PM (#3191235)

This is a man who could get hurt falling asleep.
More like waking up.

February 27, 2004
Rich Harden was scheduled to throw batting practice Thursday but was held out because of soreness in his left (non-throwing) shoulder, according to the Contra Costa Times. He felt a twinge when he turned off his alarm clock in the morning, and the soreness remained through the afternoon. A\'s trainer Larry Davis said the A\'s are not concerned about the injury.

6. ValueArb Posted: May 24, 2009 at 05:29 PM (#3191249)

I still can't understand why Beane couldn't get more for Harden...

7. Gambling Rent Czar Posted: May 24, 2009 at 05:37 PM (#3191268)

The Cubs pitching, Harden or no, has been excellent. But the offense has vanished

here's to hoping Chris Young brings his broom to the ballpark today ...

8. Walt Davis Posted: May 24, 2009 at 07:33 PM (#3191590)

So what? As long as Harden is healthy and on the mound in the playoffs, he can make as many regular season trips to the DL as he'd like. I predicted at least 2 DL trips in some preseason thread.

I would guess the back has been bothering him for a while -- when the back barks a bit, pitchers tend to leave the ball up and give up a few HR (see Scott Sanderson's Cubs career).

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

Morrissey: How could Chicago Cubs not see Rich Harden’s injury coming?

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