Giants first baseman Aubrey Huff’s sudden disappearance was explained Wednesday when the team placed him on the 15-day disabled list with an anxiety disorder.
“He’s gotten some treatment and will continue to get treatment,” manager Bruce Bochy said before Wednesday night’s 4-2 loss to the Reds. The Giants helped arrange the help for Huff, 35, a stalwart and emotional spark on the 2010 World Series championship team whose play has declined since.
Huff joins a small but high-profile list of major-league players who have been sidelined by anxiety in the past several years. Those players include Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto, the 2010 National League Most Valuable Player; pitcher Zack Greinke, the 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner; and former A’s pitcher Justin Duchscherer.
He has dealt with difficult issues. When he was 6, his father was murdered in Texas. According to court records, Huff is going through a divorce in Hillsborough County, Fla., where his wife, Barbara, filed for dissolution of their six-year marriage on Jan. 31. They have two children.
Furthermore, Huff has absorbed much criticism from Giants fans for his play in 2011 and so far this season.
Bochy said he spoke to Huff on Wednesday and could not speculate on whether Huff’s anxiety was triggered by baseball or his personal life.
“I don’t know if he knows,” Bochy said. “It could be both.
Repoz
Posted: April 26, 2012 at 05:40 AM |
18 comment(s)
Login to Bookmark
Tags:
giants,
injury
Reader Comments and Retorts
Go to end of page
Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.
1. Matt Chico's Bail Bonds (Dan Lee) Posted: April 26, 2012 at 05:48 AM (#4116627)It seems it would be pretty hard for somebody to lose their father at 6, especially to a murder, and not have it create some issues. Especially when you have the suspicion Huff hasn't talked to very many people about it - athletes are not known for their willingness to seek out therapy for mental health issues.
I admit, this was my first thought, except in Arrested Development speech: "And THAT'S why you never play Aubrey Huff at second base!"
Meh. Guys should be prepared to do well in whatever role the manager puts them in. Huff has some IF experience, and pretty much anyone should know to cover the bag in that play. I doubt Bochy knew Huff was struggling with anxiety issues.
Maybe Huff's secretly been the real killer, all these years, and he finally reached the end of his ability to cope?
*throws arm onto infield*
Yes but (writer's intention or not) it does a great job of short-circuiting the "he's paid $10 M to play baseball, what's he got to be anxious about" response.
Great, right when I'll be getting ready to die. Maybe I can be the world's last anxious person.
Sorry to hear about Huff, and echo the subtle happiness that comes with it being discussed openly and respectfully. It probably doesn't need to be said here, but I am going to reiterate that there are components to this that go way beyond either making $10m a year OR going through a divorce.
You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.
<< Back to main