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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Moyer to Have Surgery

“We are cautiously optimistic superman will make a comeback!” he and his wife wrote on the page.

Moyer turned 48 on Nov. 18, so he would be heading into 2012 Spring Training at 49.

It would be an interesting story to watch.

Jamie Moyer, Comback Player of the Year, 2012

Edmundo got dem ol' Kozma blues again mama Posted: November 30, 2010 at 04:54 PM | 27 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: history, phillies

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1. Dave Spiwak Posted: November 30, 2010 at 07:35 PM (#3699407)

He seems to be serious about at least making a stab at a comeback. What would be the reason to have TJ surgery if he weren't going to attempt to pitch in 2012? Getting ready for the Legends Softball circuit or playing catch with (grand)kids?

Regardless, I like the idea of a "fresh" Jamie Moyer being "ready" for spring training 2012. I'd like to see him pitch into his 50s (first player since El Duque?).

2. The Ghost of Sox Fans Past

Posted: November 30, 2010 at 07:41 PM (#3699415)

He has to come back - he can't start drawing his MLB pension until he's 50.

Jamie is a great guy. I hope he can do it.

3. Non-Youkilidian Geometry Posted: November 30, 2010 at 07:49 PM (#3699422)

He seems to be serious about at least making a stab at a comeback. What would be the reason to have TJ surgery if he weren't going to attempt to pitch in 2012? Getting ready for the Legends Softball circuit or playing catch with (grand)kids?

How much does a torn UCL affect ordinary day-to-day use of your elbow? While I've never heard a non-athelete having TJ surgery, is this because you don't really need the ligament for non-sports activities, or merely because non-athletes are unlikely to injure the ligament to such an extent that surgery is necessary?

4. You can keep your massive haul Posted: November 30, 2010 at 08:00 PM (#3699431)

This is just another data point that young pitchers are more prone to arm injuries than ever.

5. Adam B. Posted: November 30, 2010 at 08:35 PM (#3699459)

Given that Moyer's now a free agent, where's his health insurance coming from -- COBRA off the Phillies contract? Via MLBPA?

6. alkeiper Posted: November 30, 2010 at 09:23 PM (#3699498)

Shame. We'll never know what Jamie could've accomplished if only he managed to stay healthy.

7. mos def panel Posted: November 30, 2010 at 09:30 PM (#3699504)

48 year old pitchers are the new market inefficiency.

8. Nasty Nate Posted: November 30, 2010 at 09:37 PM (#3699507)

this wouldn't happen if baseball had an age cap

9. Krusty Posted: November 30, 2010 at 09:41 PM (#3699509)

Given that Moyer's now a free agent, where's his health insurance coming from -- COBRA off the Phillies contract? Via MLBPA?

Medicare. *rimshot*

10. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: November 30, 2010 at 09:45 PM (#3699511)

I like Moyer's chances here. Theodoric of York is a respected surgeon.

11. AndrewJ Posted: November 30, 2010 at 09:54 PM (#3699514)

When Kirby Puckett was Moyer's age, he'd been dead for three years. (h/t Tom Lehrer)

Who else would love to see a Strasburg/Moyer matchup in '12?

12. Cooper Teenoh Posted: November 30, 2010 at 10:11 PM (#3699524)

With all of the anecdotal evidence of pitchers coming back throwing harder than before surgery, the day when Jamie Moyer's fastball speed and his age are the same has likely been delayed.

13. Gamingboy Posted: November 30, 2010 at 11:12 PM (#3699558)

Jamie Moyer will have it old style. He doesn't need anesthesia, it's for wimps. Hell, he doesn't even need his arm numbed up. He didn't need any of that stuff back in the Argonne, he doesn't need it now.

14. . . . . . . Posted: November 30, 2010 at 11:23 PM (#3699562)

If HBO doesn't make Jamie Moyer ST 2012 into a "Hard Knocks" style reality TV show, then their creative minds will have failed us all.

15. Walt Davis Posted: November 30, 2010 at 11:47 PM (#3699572)

With all of the anecdotal evidence of pitchers coming back throwing harder than before surgery, the day when Jamie Moyer's fastball speed and his age are the same has likely been delayed.

Yep, if he can get even half the mileage out of the new ligament that he got out of the first one, he's got another 20 years of pitching in him.

16. Cooper Teenoh Posted: December 01, 2010 at 12:10 AM (#3699583)

My new dream is that my grandkids will be able to see Jamie Moyer pitch. My sons are 7 and 9.

17. Textbook Editor Posted: December 01, 2010 at 01:00 AM (#3699607)

The Phillies likely won't be the landing spot come April 2012, but it makes all the sense it the world for a team like the Padres or Mariners to kick the tires and see if he's got anything left. He'd benefit from a big ballpark + a good OF defense. If he has those two things (and health), I really don't see why he couldn't pitch until he's 50+.

Of course, TJ surgery kinda kills control a bit, right? Moyer without control and an 80 MPH fastball could be very ugly to watch...

18. Edmundo got dem ol' Kozma blues again mama

Posted: December 01, 2010 at 01:22 AM (#3699620)

Of course, TJ surgery kinda kills control a bit, right? Moyer without control and an 80 MPH fastball could be very ugly to watch...

Won't his fastball jump to say, 82? Surely that will compensate for lessened control.

19. What did Billy Ripken have against ElRoy Face? Posted: December 01, 2010 at 01:30 AM (#3699626)

Funny to think that Tommy John was still pitching when Moyer first came up.

20. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: December 01, 2010 at 01:44 AM (#3699631)

Rudy Vallee lived to see Jamie Moyer's first career win. Alf Landon was around for his first 19.

21. Benji Gil Gamesh VII - The Opt-Out Awakens Posted: December 01, 2010 at 01:58 AM (#3699638)

Rudy Vallee lived to see Jamie Moyer's first career win. Alf Landon was around for his first 19.

Alf Tanner was still on TV, first run, for his first 34.

22. Misirlou cut his hair and moved to Rome Posted: December 01, 2010 at 02:24 AM (#3699654)

23. frannyzoo Posted: December 01, 2010 at 04:58 AM (#3699730)

I know it gets brought up with just about every Moyer thread now, but his first start (a win going against Steve Carlton) is replete with 80s players famous and infamous, HOFers and Davey Lopes leading off for the Cubs. It's also featured an assist from Jerry Mumphrey, who I'd forgotten all about, including what a good OF he was.

Hurry back Mr. Moyer.

24. Sam M. Posted: December 01, 2010 at 05:35 AM (#3699746)

8 players to get through 139 years of baseball history

Roger Federer played Andre Agassi (e.g., 2005 U.S. Open Final)
Andre Agassi played Jimmy Conners (e.g., 1989 U.S. Open QFs)
Jimmy Conners played Ken Rosewall (e.g., 1974 Wimbledom Final)
Ken Rosewall played Pancho Segura (e.g., 1960 British Pro Championship)
Pancho Segura played Fred Perry (e.g., 1955 U.S. Pro Championships)
Fred Perry played Gottfried von Cramm (e.g., 1931 Wimbledon)

Someone else is going to have to take it back beyond the 1930s, I'm afraid . . . . Seven players, 80 years (and counting, depending on how long Fed keeps playing). Not bad.

25. Dag Nabbit: Sockless Psychopath Posted: December 01, 2010 at 05:55 AM (#3699751)

Jamie Moyer played with the Chris Speier on the 1986 Cubs
Speier played with Willie Mays on the 1971 Giants
Mays played with Bob Elliot on the 1951 Giants
Elliot played with Paul Waner on the 1939 Pirates
Waner played with Babe Adams on the 1923 Pirates
Adams played with Jake Beckley on the 1906 cardinals
Beckley played with Deacon White on the 1889 Pittsburge Alleghenys
White played on the 1871 Cleveland Forest Citys

Jamie Moyer played with Dennis Eckersley on the 1986 Cubs
Dennis Eckersley played with Bill Melton on the 1977 Indians
Bill Melton played for Al Lopez on the 1969 White Sox
Al Lopez played for Wilbert Robinson on the 1928 Dodgers
Wilbert Robinson played with Bobby Matthews on the 1887 Athletics
Bobby Mathews played on the 1871 Fort Wayne Kekiongas

26. Dag Nabbit: Sockless Psychopath Posted: December 01, 2010 at 06:08 AM (#3699756)

When JFK was Moyer's age, he was dead.

When the Cubs first signed him, Lou Piniella was still playing baseball. Ryan Sandberg was still a few weeks away from his big game. Pete Rose was an Expo. Foucalt was still alive. So was Psycho inspiration Ed Gein. And Charlie Robertson, who threw a perfect game in 1922. And Richard Burton. And Truman Capote. Tom Hanks was still a comedian who was gearing up to promote his yet-to-be-released new movie Bachelor Party. Metallica was an underground metal band. Only a dozen men had ever hit 500 homers.

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Moyer to Have Surgery

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