Bay

[Edgy MD]

I was out of town and mostly offine this weekend. Catch me up. What's the status?

[Benjamin Grimm]

I don't think there's any word yet on how severe the concussion is, but since he's now had a history, they'll probably be extra cautious.

Terry pretty much saying it's up to the doctors.

Bill Madden in the Daily News this morning raised the question of whether Bay should even try to come back. He's not the player he once was, and why jeopardize his health for the remainder of his life to continue his futile Mets career?

I think it's a question that Bay should be pondering.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

He really rung his bell, I'd be surprised to see him again.

Bill Madden says the Mets should just buy out his deal now.

[Edgy MD]

Well, it's not really a question of "now" except to psychologically put things behind them. For "now," he's on the shelf and that decision can be shelved too.

I imagine that Bay doesn't want to be forced into a decision, and he frankly needs a clear head to make one.

[Ceetar]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Bill Madden says the Mets should just buy out his deal now.

Not a chance that happens before Spring Training. I know this will become a talking point, but.. Assuming he's out from the year, which is pretty much completely unknown given the nature and (lack of) understanding of brain injuries, he won't affect roster spots or anything like that. Gotta pay him anyway. even if there's a .001% he comes to Spring Training hitting every ball over the wall.

Kinda sucks though. I'd half wondered if it was that concussion that fully ruined Bay (and just a bad coincidence/bad start that he'd been poor before that) I can't imagine another one raising his chances at becoming a serviceable player again. I kind of wonder that about Ryan Church too. He'd had a pretty good year the year before and a good start, then concussion 1, concussion 2, retired..

[metirish]

Yeah I doubt they buy him out and I think I would be surprised to see him playing again this season,and I am sad to say I would be fine with that, it sucks that I think that way, all the best for his health now and in the future.

[Edgy MD]

Is it worth a thought to consider sending outfielders who've endured a concussion out on the field with helmets, a la Jon Olerud?

[Benjamin Grimm]

That thought occurred to me as well this morning as I was reading that Daily News article about Bay.

[metsmarathon]

Edgy DC wrote: Is it worth a thought to consider sending outfielders who've endured a concussion out on the field with helmets, a la Jon Olerud?

maybe, but bay ran into a padded wall. granted, a padded wall backed by cold, unforgiving concrete.

perhaps the outfield walls should be constructed with more give upon the impact of a grown male body. might be useful for minimizing other types of injuries as well.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, you wonder how much can be spared by a little more application of shock absorption technology.

Maybe the brims of hats and helmets need to be more collapse-able also.

[Benjamin Grimm]

It may be decades away, but I suspect the day will come when players will no longer be wearing the classic soft baseball cap on the field.

[metsmarathon]

nah. i think redesigning the OF walls is the way to go. utilize a little bit of earthquake technology to allow them to give when whalloped, yet be firm enough to produce a true bounce for a batted ball, and you're good.

there are really not too many instances of baserunners and infielders getting struck such as to force the issue. the pitcher, maybe... but he needs a full face shield moreso than the helmet

[Edgy MD]

I think a helmet on a pitcher has an instant value.

As for redesigning outfield walls, I though Mizuno was on this a generation ago, but maybe NPB adopted their innovations but MLB took a pass.

I think marathon is the guy to take the stateside lead. I'm investing with him.

[duan]

what happened with Bay that was particularly scary was the way his neck bent. I saw it live and I genuinely shuddered because the whole thing was clearly so unnatural that it had to do damage, I did wonder who he got up to throw the ball back in.