Klapisch is Injured

maybe my own outta shape, m.s.-riddled butt is just jealous that klap still keeps his edge playing hardball. but whereas driving can't be avoided, playing baseball at 50 just strikes me as an unnecessary risk.

i'm all for staying in shape. there are just safer ways to do it, is all i'm saying. but i certainly understand the argument made by those who disagree. i just contend there's some vanity at play here.

prayers all around to klap, a truly good guy and extremely talented baseball writer.

 

Shockey, we get what you're trying to say. Quit before you dig a bigger hole.

My thoughts to Klapisch here. I don't know the guy, never read him, but it can be a very frightening thing to experience diminished vision. Not just in the sense that you worry about recovering your vision, but not being able to see, or see well, really alters how you experience the world and interact in it.

 

Didn't Jim Murray suffer a detached retina that blinded him in an eye? And I think he lost vision for a time in the other eye after that, leaving him blind for a few months. I know it came back in the one, but I don't think the eye with the detached retina ever recovered. That was like 30 years ago, though, so obviously the medicine's improved.

 

Get better soon, Klap. It sucks having to go out of the game not on your own terms. Stay strong.

 

Completely illogical rationalization.

Look, I don't want to jump on Klapisch, because he's obviously suffering and has major medical issues.

So let's keep this general. Phil Niekro said the reason he quit when he did was he was afraid a batted ball would kill or severely injure him. His arm was fine. The knuckleball put no stress on his arm. But he knew his reflexes weren't as good as they were when he was younger, and he worried that he wouldn't be able to react quickly enough.

I covered Danny Darwin when he pitched past 40 and he flinched every time he threw the ball. You don't see 25-year-olds do that. You get older, your reaction time slows, even if it's by a fraction of a second.

That's something to consider, especially if you have a family. It's great to have a love for a game or competition, but a decision should be based on more than that.

 

Please, leave Shockey alone, he meant as well as the rest of you. But I spoke to Klap yesterday and he was in a surprisingly upbeat mood. He faces another surgery next weekend but has hopes because the surgeon told him there was light in the retina and that means it is entirely possible he won't completely lose vision. He said he will now look forward to playing catch with his two kids but that his playing career was over.

Look, we all wish him the best but I do believe he's better off remaining a writer and a family man than a pitcher. So if you still want to berate somone, throw me in there, too, not just Shockey.

Hopefully, I will be able to update all on Klap's progress,

 

As a 41-year old who still umpires on the high school and college fields (aluminum bats, anyone?)... I worry about my reflexes every time out. I hope they continue to bring the power of the aluminum bat down and that I make it through my next game with no problems.

Bob, best wishes to you. You are a phenomenal talent as a writer. I hope your recovery is swift and complete.

 

spoke to klap this morning. he was waiting for another consult with a specialist at a n.y. hospital. sounds pretty good. drugs help. he's heard from many, many friends, which warms his heart no end.

expects to be on dl for about 2 months. figures plastic surgery will let him retain his good looks. docs and he are cautiously optimistic he will be able to have at least some vision in the eye after surgeries and recovery.

keep the prayers coming. he swears he can feel 'em.

 

Hope he mends quick.

Just sent him an email. As a truly small-time hack, I've always appreciated folks like BK who answer e-mails and talk baseball just because.

 

Here's the latest that I could find out. After 11 hours of surgery Tuesday, the news is positive. Doctors believe Klap will have minimal vision loss, possible even none. I'm waiting to speak to him directly but it seems our prayers and hopes have worked. I'll let you know when I know more.

 

Casty beat me on the Klap update.

Apparently the news is nothing but good, They reattached his retina, repaired all the broken bones and have determined he will not need a cornea transplant. The suregery, I believe, was Monday and he should be going home today.
He's still a few months away from recovered but apparently has declared himself ready to start on the comeback trail.

 

Wow, 11 hours of surgery. That's a lot for eye work.