Mauer Says Concussions Blurred His Vision/Walk Away Joe merged threads

[Champuckett]

I hope now, that Mauer has spoken up about this, that we can move on. There were many people making excuses for him left and right about his decline over the last 5 years. And there were also plenty that were bashing him nonstop about his work ethic and whatever else they could think of. The man just owned up to fact that he has a problem. Good for him.

 

Now I hope we can get the support he needs to correct or treat the issues he has been dealing with. Maybe they won't be able fix his issues, and he will never recover to his former self. I hope he does, for the sake of the team and his own self.

[nicksaviking]

They did move him from catcher.

 

You can't fully eliminate the risk of concussions, but you can take steps to reduce the likelihood. The issue in football is not necessarily the occasional concussion but the repeated pounding from repeated hits. That is just not an issue in baseball, if he is still able to function (albeit at a slightly diminished capacity), it is kind of up to the player at that point.

The NFL took the decision out of the player's hands as they they knew (more accurately were sued into understanding) that players will neglect their own safety to keep playing and get paid. The NFL acted only after they started getting sued and getting the bad end of public opinion. This should not be Mauer's call, it's bad for baseball period.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

*sigh*
I realize that some people refuse to accept the idea that Mauer's concussion is a very reasonable and highly likely explanation for the decrease in his offensive production. But I do not understand why some people refuse to accept the idea that Mauer's concussion is a very reasonable and highly likely explanation for the decrease in his offensive production.

Another problem with this whole issue is that Terry Ryan just said Mauer could bat .300 again. So, not sure if you are including him in that group. 

[ken]

 

 

*sigh*
I realize that some people refuse to accept the idea that Mauer's concussion is a very reasonable and highly likely explanation for the decrease in his offensive production. But I do not understand why some people refuse to accept the idea that Mauer's concussion is a very reasonable and highly likely explanation for the decrease in his offensive production.

My problem is one this site, I see a lot of people talking about advance metric but with Mauer it's let's not look beyond the batting average.  Even in this forum, the decrease in average didn't happen until last year, not after the concussion.  HIs contract rate dropped the year before the concussion, his strike out rate been increasing for years.

 

When he said he had no concussion issues, people wouldn't believe it but when he changes his story to match what you want to hear we jump all over it. When it comes to Mauer, the arguments are based on emotions and not logic.

[Monkeypaws]

I'm not surprised - I know he wears glasses off the field, and suspected there was something off with his eyesight.

 

I hope he can correct this as a Twins fan, and as Gunnathor mentioned, enjoy a healthy rest of his life.

[big dog]

 

It's not an insult to call it an excuse. If it's a valid reason to excuse poor production, then it is a valid excuse. If it's not, it's not. Regardless, it's an excuse. It's not such a big deal to call it that.

I think of it as a "reason", not an "excuse", personally.,

[Teflon]

Of course this raises the question of whether he'll be shown in sunglasses on his Hall of Fame plaque. I was originally 50-50 on whether the beard would be present, but now with the shades, my guess if that his Cooperstown image will be sporting the full "Walker Texas Ranger"  look.

 

http://img.ifcdn.com/images/025795829d8351cb128b3192fd6a263ad2240f17d5ac61fad619f91aed89870d_1.jpg

[twinsnorth49]

Will wait and see the results.

And miss out on taking free shots at Mauer and having the chance to win the "I told you so" sweepstakes?

 

Seems almost dignified, the high road awaits.

[RaymondLuxuryYacht]

 

I don't understand why there has to be blame. We don't know what Molitor or those in the front office knew. Not sure it would matter. Joe said there have been good and bad days.

 

Its Twins Daily - there has to be blame

[D. Hocking]

 

Its Twins Daily - there has to be blame

 

There are a couple of boards I used to browse that I don't even want to imagine how the discussion is going - although I suspect foaming at the mouth is involved.  

[gmarais66]

Last year, Mauer was .276/.352/.396 in night games and .248/.316/.354 in day games.

[jimbo92107]

I noticed that polarized sunglasses make engine oil on lake water look like rainbows. I hope Joe Mauer has as much fun with glasses as I do.

[DrNeau]

Yes, as mentioned previously in this thread, some have been made on his behalf by the media. I'm not blaming Joe for every one, rather listing. It is, however, a rather alarming list. Curious when the tide will turn, and the media will stop allowing excuses, and start demanding some answers to some very simple questions. If this was Philly or NY, some of these things would have been addressed by now.

[DocBauer]

Dear Joe,

 

I've had my bell rung a time or two in my life, especially when I was younger and played football in Jr High and High School. To my immediate knowledge, however, I never had a concussion. But then again, considering how little we knew about concussions back in the early 80's, who knows. But back then, having a concussion meant having your bell rung. Usually, but not always, it was associated with being knocked out, or at the very least, being sprawled out and out of it for a while.

 

My sophomore year of HS football, in a Jr Varsity game, a friend and teammate, a WR, confided in me on the sideline that he had received a big knock, and that he could not remember any of the plays...but told me not to tell the coaches. He was afraid of not being allowed to play. This was 1980, and we know tons more today than we did back then, but I still knew enough in my gut and head that something didn't sound right or safe. So I went to the team trainer and told him; "Don't let Kirkpatrick go back in. He just told me he got his bell rung and can't remember the plays."

 

Again, this was only 1980, and I knew enough then, despite being years away from CTE or any of the information we have today, that something was wrong, and I should protect my friend and teammate.

 

Joe, there are some out there, I would say a vocal minority, that have never fully appreciated you, your career, and your efforts. Because you are a quiet and private individual, because you have had a couple rough injury seasons, (duh! You play professional sports), and because you were never a 120 RBI HR mashing machine, you somehow failed to meet expectations or potential. I'm sure you've heard the whispers/rumors. How could you not?

 

But Joe, the vast majority of baseball and Twins fans know you WERE probably the greatest pure hitter of your particular generation. You were an absolutely deserving All-Star, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner. You did things as a ML catcher and hitter never done before.

 

Joe, the concussions aren't your fault. It's not hard offseason work or preparation or exercise not done...it's just something that happened to you, balls striking and wild bat swings hitting. You got your bell rung Joe, multiple times. But we now know that that bell rings louder than we previously thought it could. Just like any injury...knee, ankle, elbow, shoulder, etc...a concussion or "bell ringing" affects every athlete/person differently.

 

But Joe, your concussions HAVE affected you. It's been pretty obvious. You FINALLY admitted as such. And forgive us if we are a bit distrusting or doubtful at this point, but we're still not sure you have admitted to us, the Twins, or even yourself just how much. And I get it. Most of us get it. We really do. You don't want to admit it. You want to fight it. You believe, have believed, still believe, that you can overcome it. And maybe you will. Just as with any injury, effort and rehab may bring you back to where you were previously, or at least close. And for us as fans, for our beloved Twins, and for you Joe, I hope that is the case.

 

And we hear about great shape and hard work and 3 months of better vision and feeling better than ever. Forgive our skepticism Joe, but we've heard this the past two years. And now we are hearing about sunglasses and keeping one eye open and one eye closed between innings to conserve your eyes. I'm sorry Joe, maybe we'really still not properly informed or educated here, and I'm not being snarky, but this sounds like a solution (s) somewhere between a nap and desperation.

 

You are still a young human being Joe. And you have a wife, children and family. You have long ago scaled mountain tops the rest of us can only dream of. You have already earned twice to ten times more financially than most of will ever earn in our lives to create financial security for you and your family. (And your life isn't over, you can and will earn more) You can be sure the Twins organization will not abandon you. And while I can't guarantee a HOF legacy for you, like Tony Oliva and Kirby Puckett before you, your Twins legacy and HOF status is secure.

 

Joe, please, now, finally sharing at least part of the full story, after a pair of frustrating and disappointing seasons...in which only your amazing talent probably prevented utterly dismal production...take a step back. Take a long hard look at your career...your life...and your future. Joe, if time, natural healing, work, rehab, sunglasses and alternating eye therapy doesn't bring you back, please Joe...take another step back. This time, all the way back...and step away from the game...protecting both your past as well as your future.

 

You, your legacy and your family all deserve that.

 

Forever a fan

 

Byron "Doc" Bauer

[theBOMisthebomb]

If every athlete who has had a couple of concussions hangs it up will there be anyone left to play?

[drjim]

I think this board is finally jumping the shark when it comes to Mauer.

[TheLeviathan]

While I think this is premature, I would argue that if the glasses thing doesn't help and the side effects continue to bother him...then this should be seriously considered in the very near future.

[Craig Arko]

I suppose when Joe asks me for my opinion I'll offer it. Otherwise, I consider it none of my business.

[DrNeau]

A fair response to this by the Twins would be to limit Joe to 81 games, and directly cite his comments on his own health as reasoning.

[Seth Stohs]

Doc

 

Fair article/letter. I think that it is fair.

 

As others have mentioned I wouldn't be able to tell another person what to do or not do. He's 2 1/2 years from the concussion. There have been some improvements health-wise. In the article, it talked about doing more eye exercises and other neck exercises. I hold out hope that he can improve. Again, anyone who is expecting him to get back to the .320/.400/450 level... well, that's on them. But he was a league average player with this going on. Maybe this will help. Maybe not. But he's earned the opportunity to find out. 

 

Your story about the '80s concussions/run bell thing was great. I remember the use of smelling salts to kind of bring a player back to, sometimes in games, more often in practice. Maybe take a couple of plays off and "get back in there." Gotta be "tough." For me, that was in the '90s. 

 

Then again, I probably wasn't a great high school football player because (besides lack of talent, height, etc.) I could read through coach-speak. Some guys eat that coach-speak up, but I just heard it and thought some of it was silly, over the top. Same thing on the injuries thing... Get back out there. Be tough. Get Up! Good times!

[DaveW]

Wow.

 

 

Easy to tell someone who isn't you to walk away from your career (not to mention 60 million some odd dollars)

 

People act like Mauer was hitting .175 last year, his numbers weren't great, especially for a first baseman, but even with the issues he was still hitting better than a couple hundred other MLB players last year, no?

[DocBauer]

Wow.

Easy to tell someone who isn't you to walk away from your career (not to mention 60 million some odd dollars)

People act like Mauer was hitting .175 last year, his numbers weren't great, especially for a first baseman, but even with the issues he was still hitting better than a couple hundred other MLB players last year, no?

I will repeat...."wow".

 

Did you actually read the post?

[DocBauer]

Doc

 

Fair article/letter. I think that it is fair.

 

As others have mentioned I wouldn't be able to tell another person what to do or not do. He's 2 1/2 years from the concussion. There have been some improvements health-wise. In the article, it talked about doing more eye exercises and other neck exercises. I hold out hope that he can improve. Again, anyone who is expecting him to get back to the .320/.400/450 level... well, that's on them. But he was a league average player with this going on. Maybe this will help. Maybe not. But he's earned the opportunity to find out. 

 

Your story about the '80s concussions/run bell thing was great. I remember the use of smelling salts to kind of bring a player back to, sometimes in games, more often in practice. Maybe take a couple of plays off and "get back in there." Gotta be "tough." For me, that was in the '90s. 

 

Then again, I probably wasn't a great high school football player because (besides lack of talent, height, etc.) I could read through coach-speak. Some guys eat that coach-speak up, but I just heard it and thought some of it was silly, over the top. Same thing on the injuries thing... Get back out there. Be tough. Get Up! Good times!

Way to make me feel even older Seth! LOL

 

I really, really hope that like Justin, Joe will find time, healing and therapy to remake himself and recover. And I agree that age, injury, and a general downward trend in offense will probably preclude Mauer from being the same .300 plus hitter he used to be. But, hopefully, whatever he is doing will make him at least a semblance of his former self.

[DaveW]

I will repeat...."wow".

 

Did you actually read the post?

Yeah I read it. Unless you have treated Mauer or seen his charts it's a little ridiculous to tell a grown man what he should or shouldn't do.

 

I wonder if you type this up if Joe Mauer hit .330 last year, yet said going into this spring " the concussion has some lingering effects" I'm guessing highly unlikely.

 

Again it's much easier to say this when it isn't yourself with your career, identity and 60 mil on the line.

 

Your personal annecidote has nothing to do with his situation. I have had two confirmed concussions, and even I realize this has nothing to do with what Mauer has had, has dealed with, side effects etc

 

I think this open letter is ridiculous to be frank. Even if he is a shell of his former self moving forward, but still healthy and not at a higher risk etc he should stay around, not retire because he isn't as good anymore.

[Riverbrian]

Concussion discussion... Early retirement is going to be the norm going forward in my opinion.

 

Should Joe Hang it up? Not my call... I don't have enough info.

 

I've seen players have better years after lesser years and players have lesser years after better years and lesser years after lesser years.

 

I'm reluctant to predict anyone's 2016 based on 2015.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I suppose when Joe asks me for my opinion I'll offer it. Otherwise, I consider it none of my business.

and Doc asked you for this opinion?

[Craig Arko]

and Doc asked you for this opinion?

You pays yer money, you takes yer chances.

[DocBauer]

Well, first of all, I offered opinion and advice, not a directive. Joe Mauer is a grown man and can make his own decisions.

 

Secondly, I find your inference that I wouldn't advise Mauer to walk away if he were hitting .330 to be deeply insulting. If he was hitting .330, he probably A) never received a concussion to begin with, or hadn't received any harmful or lingering effects from said concussions. The entirety of the article was concern for Joe, and his future.

 

Third, my anecdote was simply offered up in reference to a growing concern and references to changes over the years in perspective to the concern for concussions. That's generally what anecdotes are; offerings for perspective and reflection. I guess I would be interested to know why my anenecdote has no relevance, in your opinion, but the relevance of your experience does have reference in regard to Mauer and his recently revealed issues.

 

I have been, and am, a fan and defender of Joe the past few years. And all of this is a board for opinion. And we all agree to disagree and we often do, But, if I may be equally frank, I don't think concern about Joe Mauer and his long term health and future is "ridiculous" in any way.

 

Of course, that's just my opinion.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

The only thing I disagree with, Doc, is your assertion that there have always been Mauer doubters. I think Mauer had fans in everyone for a long time. Then there was the bilateral leg weakness (still not sure what that is), which was the season that coincided with the team collapse (63-99). It was hard to see photos of a smiling healthy-looking Mauer from the waist up, rehabbing down in Fort Myers while the team was going in the tank up in Minneapolis. I think only at that point did it really get sour for a few people--the vocal minority you mentioned.

[ewen21]

 

If Joe wasn't forthcoming... I'm not cool with that and if Joe was forthcoming and Molly said get in there anyway... I'm not cool with that either.

 

The real question should be.....

    How is it that Joe said absolutely nothing and that no one in his inner circle (or with the Twins) had enough of a clue to do anything about it?  With what we know about concussions now, that's seems almost outrageous to me.