"They Call Themselves Pros" And what good is spring training anyway?

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"They Call Themselves Pros"

And what good is spring training anyway?

June 23, 2008

by Dennis Paige

When we think of Pros' we think of an athlete, like an Olympian that has stayed in shape, and ready for the season to begin, but in baseball it seems to be different. Why is that? Is it the attitude of the players or the teams? My quest is to find out, give you my best opinion and maybe some answers. As spring training started some players showed up over weight and clumsy. While others where just not at all with the program and it looked like they haven't played a game in years. Any amateur knows that you keep your muscles limber and your joints lose so you are less likely to get injured. But while other career athletes stay in shape on their time off the majority of baseball players don't. With the money they are making and all the luxury they have I believe they have lost the hunger needed to motivate themselves for the season ahead and keep themselves fit. And for some others its like a social welfare program, they are hurt so often. This must go back to the roots of baseball when teams where made up from the local bar or fire stations. Many players through baseball history have abused alcohol or tabbaco or drugs which many have died, from their abuses, like Babe Ruth and Mikey Mantle. Have their egos gotten so out of hand that thay say I can play without any sacrifices on my time. Well they think they can but they can't and the DL proves it. With a 171on the injuries list as of this printing and as many more in past weeks this season could be worst season for injuries yet. Now lets look at the last six years and the DL. stats. The total DLs' I will qoute from: The Baseball Injury Report "In the past six seasons the number of players who have landed on the DL, from a low of 337 (2002) to a record of 404 (2007)". If this years DL stats stay at this rate we will see another record year. My conclusion is that the teams don't care for if they did they would implement penalties that would suspend or pay per preformance til they get in shape and play like a pro, they are suppose to be.