If you’re a Mets fan — unless you’re one who has been living this season under a rock (for which we’d not begrudge you!) — you know that Mets manager Jerry Manuel does not like former Met outfielder Ryan Church. Manuel has subtily slandered Church a few times now, but nothing quite tops yesterday’s dump-job. For those who missed it, here’s your 15-second chronology:
- Last year, as a Met, Church suffered a concussion and returned too quickly, and was not the same player for the rest of the year.
- A few days ago, Met superstar David Wright got beaned in the head by a Matt Cain pitch, suffering a concussion and taking a trip to the DL.
- Church told Wright to take it easy and don’t rush back.
- Wright said he wanted to get back in the game ASAP.
- Manuel called Church a “different animal” than Wright, a/k/a a pussy.
We already know what David Wright thinks about concussions and the value of one’s brain. How? Because he told the New York Times that, in regard to new-age helmets: “If it provides more protection, then I’m all for it. I’m not worried about style or looking good out there. I’m worried about keeping my melon protected.” And that quote was from before the Cain beanball.
So let’s say you, like Wright, value the use of your brain. You do not want some doctor manager telling you that not only is it safe to come back quickly after a brain injury, but that if you think otherwise, you’re a weakling undeserving of his respect. Are you going to play for that guy?
I wouldn’t.
So the Mets now have two options: Send a message that no, they take brain injuries to be the serious problems they are — maybe by firing Manuel for his idiocy, maybe by issuing a statement to that effect (garbage), maybe by shelving Wright for the rest of the year, who knows. The other option? Focus on acquiring guys who would rather not use their head and instead, think they can gut it out when their grey matter is put in jeopardy.
