Insult to Injury - Many would argue that this baseball season could possibly be the year of the pitcher with all the frequent perfect games and no-hitters being tossed thus far. Others would debate that this has been the year of freak accidents as there's been a handful of bizarre injuries that have plagued ball clubs across the league this season. But just when you thought it couldn't get any worse than the walk-off celebration that ended in a disaster and landed Los Angeles Angels first baseman Kendry Morales on the disabled list for the remainder of the year, the bar has been raised. Not one, but two abnormal injuries have occurred since then, starting off with San Diego Padres right-handed pitcher Mat Latos.
While in Colorado to face the division rival Rockies, Latos was walking down the dugout steps when he tried holding back a sneeze before feeling a slight pull in his left side. The injury doesn't sound to severe, but it was enough for the Padres to place their young hurler on the DL. Since starting off his first full season in the Majors, Latos has been quite a surprise, posting a record of 11-4 and an ERA of 2.48 in 18 starts. Latos' success along with the rest of the Padres pitching staff has been a key in the Friars' surprising first place record of 59-40 which is also the best record in the National League. I'm not sure it can get any more ridiculous than that, but the most recent blunder to strike Florida Marlins' Chris Coghlan, gives Mat Latos a run for his money.
Last year's National League Rookie of the Year encountered a freak accident this past Sunday after the Marlins celebrated a walk-off victory over the division leading Atlanta Braves. Coghlan tried executing the pie to face method on the game's hero and Marlins third baseman Wes Helms before injuring himself. While Helms was being interviewed by Fox Sports Florida for his late game heroics, Coghlan who lacks of ninja stealth skills and quickness, jumped out from the dugout and was only able to pie the side of Helms' face as he eluded the tag similar to a play at the plate.
Coghlan seemed to be fine at first as there were no footage of him showing any signs of pain, but it was after the failed pie attempt that Coghlan had realized he injured himself. While Latos' injury only resulted in a missed start or two, the young outfielder and Florida native could miss up to 6-8 weeks if surgery is required after x-rays revealed a torn meniscus in Coghlan's right knee. Even though Coghlan hasn't produced like he did during his Rookie of the Year campaign last season, he's an important presence in the Marlins clubhouse as the Fish who currently own a sub .500 record, are fighting to stay afloat and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Although pieing has become synonymous with walk-off celebrations over the past few years, the Florida Marlins have banned the pie to the face jubilation after watching one of their players fall to an injury that could have been avoided. As another casualty falls victim to the ongoing freak accidents that have struck Major League Baseball this year, there's no telling what kind of bizarre injury will occur next. My guess is it'll be of the insect variety or will involve a toilet. What do you think will cause the next freak accident to strike baseball?
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