Pitchers Sure Are Finicky Creatures

The art of pitching seems to require an almost perfect aural sphere. The pitcher's football counterpart, the quarterback, faces no such expectation. Does he have bruised ribs? Is his knee wobbly? Does he have a concussion? Well, wrap him back up and put him back out there. But not the baseball pitcher. The smallest of ailments can derail the most perfect physical specimens. Uh oh, he has a blister. Whoops! Look out! He's got an earache!

Well, that's a bit of an exaggeration. But check out this story. It seems that Josh Beckett, the big, powerful right-hander for the Boston Red Sox has a messed up callus on his toe. The Fan is not making fun of Josh Beckett. Heck, he's a lot bigger than this old writer. But this is the same pitcher who has missed a lot of starts because of blisters in the past. Now, wait, that is understandable though. After all, if the act of throwing a baseball is ripping the skin of your fingers, that's a problem.

There has to be some sort of solution to that problem, shouldn't there be? Golfers wear golf gloves. Even some quarterbacks wear gloves. Why can't pitchers? A doctor can perform a highly skilled operation with gloves on. It shouldn't be that difficult to throw a curve ball. The Fan can see it now though. If some pitcher tried it, Billy Martin would rise from the grave and protest the game. There is probably some sort of rule. The batters can wear a full suit of armor and go up to the plate looking like Sir Lancelot, but a pitcher better tuck in that Jesus medallion he has hanging on his neck.

Anyway, the Fan keeps getting off track here. Blisters are weird, but understandable. But now we have a callus on a toe? Granted, when those suckers rip off, that's painful and aggravating. But it's almost comical. To Beckett's credit, he went back out there and pitched two more innings. Good for him. Many other pitchers would have acted like a foot was falling off and would ask for an MRI.

Doctor: "Yes, you have a second class laceration that may require constant cleaning and daily fresh bandages. You might want an antibiotic to stave off infection."

Pitcher: "Maybe I should have a second opinion. I don't think I should pitch with an injury."

Doctor: "Well, if you were a race horse, we wouldn't even need to shoot you. You'll be okay in a few days. Get some Dr. Shoals or something."

Pitcher: "Well, thanks, Doc. But don't be offended if I get a second opinion. I don't want to risk my career with this injury."

Doctor: "No skin off my...oops. Sorry. Poor choice of words."

But Beckett is a tough guy and he could be the Fan's quarterback any day.