Was I right? Damn, I hate that I was....

by since72 on Mar 7, 2007 11:10 PM PST

If you follow my diary at all, you will remembering reading a few days ago that Kotsay was just like a turkey towards the latter days of November...cooked. Why can't we catch a break in Spring? However, it is possible that this cloud has a silver lining. I agree with many here that I would much prefer Milton in center, as his "gun" and "wheels" are far superior to Kotsay on his best day. Also, in Buck and Goleski we have so serious potential there, and Ronald McDonald won't be far behind on the road to recovery. Losing Kotsay sucks, but perhaps we may be better off for it?

By the way, can anyone else think of a player that SUCCESSFULLY came back from back surgery? I can't and I stick with my prediction of a few days ago...Kotsay retires.

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Kotsay's recovery chances

I'm interested to see what the medical experts will say about Kotsay. Here's my prediction. Will Carroll will post an article tomorrow reporting that Kotsay had a spinal extraction, resulting in Kotsay's reversion to slithering like an earthworm for the rest of his life. Larry Davis will attempt to report that Kotsay is "Day-to-Day," but the fact that he has stuffed an entire loaf of Wonder Bread into his mouth will cause ESPN to report that the A's consider Kotsay "DWAAAAA- UUU - DWAAAAA."

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Mar 7, 2007 11:28 PM PST reply actions

Can't think of a baseball player who came back

from spinal surgery... but how about Joe Montana?

"Everyone knows about it, but nobody's heard of it. Oh, it exists." ~ Dan Johnson

by Poppy on Mar 7, 2007 11:48 PM PST reply actions

Serious comment now

Players have recovered from ruptured disk before after surgery and gone on to play. For example, Sandy Alomar, Jr. had back surgery in 1993 to repair a ruptured disk, and is still playing 14 years later. In other sports, TJ Ford and the aforementioned Joe Montana are success stories after back surgery. I think Kotsay's career is not likely to be ended by this surgery, and he might regain some of his mobility and be a better player, at least for a year or two. Back surgery does not cure the problem, it only treats it, and recurring pain is a huge concern in back surgeries. If Kotsay can come back in July and play well with his newfound mobility, it would be very wise to trade him during the offseason and let some other team bet on when the pain will come back.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Mar 8, 2007 12:04 AM PST reply actions

Re: Kotsay's "gun"

Say what you will about Kotsay's "wheels," but his arm is the best of the best. He throws runners out left and right, and has done so for years. Kotsay's throws are strong and always, ALWAYS accurate. I actually don't know about Milton's gun, but it sure ain't "far superior" to Kotsay's.

by Philip Christy on Mar 8, 2007 1:09 AM PST reply actions

I didn't realize he could throw...

left and right handed.

I'm not a big wine guy... Where do you grow the BEER?

by str8tarrow on Mar 8, 2007 5:49 AM PST up reply actions

Left, right

and everything in between. He's just that good.

by Philip Christy on Mar 8, 2007 11:07 AM PST up reply actions

Agree.

Kotsay's arm is awesome; if he could hit a little more I could see him manning right field.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Mar 8, 2007 8:00 AM PST up reply actions

you hate that you were right?

so that means kotsay HAS retired?

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Mar 8, 2007 1:54 AM PST reply actions

I wonder

Does this mean Kotsay will say that he will play for free next year???

Beane's World!! Excellent!!! Rock On, Beane! Rock On, Geren!

by Satchmo22 on Mar 8, 2007 4:18 AM PST reply actions

lol

Unlike Dotel, I think Kotsay now actually owes them team money in order to play next year

www.????????????.com...the "launch" is coming soon...or grand opening in brick-and-mortar terms...I'll be all over the DLD the day it's ready.

by Cutthemullet on Mar 10, 2007 7:10 PM PST up reply actions

You are crazy

Kotsay will be fine. In fact, my bold prediction is that after this surgery he will be better than before, and he will come back a lot quicker than we think.

I am not a doctor, but I work for a company that specializes in Spine Surgery devices. If he is doing the procudure I believe he is (or rather should be) doing, he will be just dandy in a few weeks!

Kotsay isn't going to retire, and there is NOBODY I would rather see in center than him! So I can't wait for June!

"We don't rebuild in Oakland, man," Swisher cackles. "We re-load."

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Mar 8, 2007 11:09 AM PST reply actions

Kotsay revisited

Thank you for your feedback...yes, I started looking around and found that there were others who recovered from back surgery, just as many that didn't. Most notably Big Unit, and we have yet to see how he will perform this year.

Please don't mistake my ominous prediction of Kotsay's demise as that of a Kotsay detractor. On the contrary, I have always help Mr. K in high esteem for his general all around good-guyness and effort (even though he rivals Jim Breuer in half-baked appearance). I certainly hope the prediction that he comes back better than ever comes true. I can already see a pack coliseum rise to it's feet with a 2 minute ovation for him if he comes running out on the field to assume his position 3-4 months from now.

And if he doesn't...well, like every other season, Billy and Co. finds a more than suitable band-aid.

Let's go Oak-land!!!!!

"We got all kinds of leadership" Nick Swisher

by since72 on Mar 9, 2007 10:13 PM PST reply actions

if you can predict...

retirement for Kotsay, can I predict top, eh, 7 finish for Bradley in MVP voting this year? I'll steal your diary title come November if that indeed occurs.

www.????????????.com...the "launch" is coming soon...or grand opening in brick-and-mortar terms...I'll be all over the DLD the day it's ready.

by Cutthemullet on Mar 10, 2007 7:12 PM PST reply actions

Milton Bradley produces game

I like your thinking! In a bigger market, he is a much higher profile player. I think with the absense of Kots, Bradley has a shot at really making Sports Center Plays of the Day in center...however, am I hearing things or is there a possiblity that Swish will start in center? I hope not.

"We got all kinds of leadership" Nick Swisher

by since72 on Mar 11, 2007 11:58 PM PDT reply actions