15 replies to this topic

[Can_of_corn]

Steve Melewski ‏

Tyler Townsend, Orioles 3rd-round pick in 2009, told club officials he is retiring. Didn't get into a game this month due to injuries.

Quite a draft they had in 2009.

Full article:

http://www.masnsport... ... um=twitter

[Tucker Blair]

Wow, I feel horrible for Townsend. Truly had the ability to be a MLB caliber player, but simply could not combat the health issues each year. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

I will miss watching him play. This shows you how difficult this lifestyle can be.

[JeremyStrain]

Wow, I feel horrible for Townsend. Truly had the ability to be a MLB caliber player, but simply could not combat the health issues each year. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

I will miss watching him play. This shows you how difficult this lifestyle can be.

I was thinking the same thing. Such a good kid too. Just shows how many stars have to align for a player to make it to the show.

[Why Not?]

The scuttlebutt on Townsend is that he never particularly enjoyed playing baseball. He was apparently pushed VERY hard by his father. One wonders how many of his injuries were a product of not really wanting to play anymore.

[RichardZ]

The scuttlebutt on Townsend is that he never particularly enjoyed playing baseball. He was apparently pushed VERY hard by his father. One wonders how many of his injuries were a product of not really wanting to play anymore.

I think you've gone a little too far here. You think the injuries were imagined as a way not to play?

[Why Not?]

I think you've gone a little too far here. You think the injuries were imagined as a way not to play?

Well, it's absolute speculation. Nobody but Townsend will ever know. I'm sure his injuries were legitimate, but coupled with some of the background information, one wonders if some of the pain was in his mind.

Do you think that it is an unthinkable situation? You don't think players milk injuries at times, especially if they don't enjoy playing baseball? People call in sick to their jobs every day. Baseball is no different.

[RichardZ]

Well, it's absolute speculation. Nobody but Townsend will ever know. I'm sure his injuries were legitimate, but coupled with some of the background information, one wonders if some of the pain was in his mind.

Do you think that it is an unthinkable situation? You don't think players milk injuries at times, especially if they don't enjoy playing baseball? People call in sick to their jobs every day. Baseball is no different.

What I think is that chronic injuries got him down to the point of retiring. I do think it's possible that some players don't enjoy the game and I do believe some guys get the flue or stomach virus so they can take a day off. I do not believe Tyler Townsend milked his wrist and hamstring injuries so he could take off months at a time. I think he's a victim of having his body not hold up at an age when most athletes have very few problems. I feel bad for the kid. The injuries sound factual and legitimate. Like you said, the other part is total speculation. If there were some evidence along with the speculation it would add more weight to what your saying but all you have is hearsay of a father who may or may not have pusehd him too hard. That's not a lot.

[Why Not?]

Well, it's your speculation vs. my speculation. We're probably both correct to some extent. There might be several shades of gray in the situation. I don't think it's as simple as being frustrated by chronic injuries. I feel bad for Townsend as well. I'm not admonishing him in any way whatsoever.

I think sometimes people assume professional ballplayers are all cut from the same cloth; that they eat and sleep and dream of baseball. From my understanding, Townsend was not that guy. It might have been his father's dream for Townsend to be a baseball star moreso than Townsend himself. Hearing now how unhappy he was playing baseball, I don't think it's unreasonable to speculate that he might have used his legitimate injuries to stay away from something he didn't enjoy for an extra week. In fact, I think it's a logical assumption.

[RichardZ]

Well, it's your speculation vs. my speculation. We're probably both correct to some extent. There might be several shades of gray in the situation. I don't think it's as simple as being frustrated by chronic injuries. I feel bad for Townsend as well. I'm not admonishing him in any way whatsoever.

I think sometimes people assume professional ballplayers are all cut from the same cloth; that they eat and sleep and dream of baseball. From my understanding, Townsend was not that guy. It might have been his father's dream for Townsend to be a baseball star moreso than Townsend himself. Hearing now how unhappy he was playing baseball, I don't think it's unreasonable to speculate that he might have used his legitimate injuries to stay away from something he didn't enjoy for an extra week. In fact, I think it's a logical assumption.

My speculation is based on facts. Townsend's injuries have been well reported. It was also reported that he grew frustrated over the injuries and retired because of it. You speculated that he didn't like baseball do begin with and maybe milked his injuries or created one or two because he just didn't want to play. Your speculation and my speculation are on two different planets.

[Why Not?]

My speculation is based on facts. Townsend's injuries have been well reported. It was also reported that he grew frustrated over the injuries and retired because of it. You speculated that he didn't like baseball do begin with and maybe milked his injuries or created one or two because he just didn't want to play. Your speculation and my speculation are on two different planets.

Right, our positions are very different in that your speculation is close-minded. If you need to think Townsend's decision was based 100% on injuries, you are free to do that. I don't believe it's as simple as that. Sorry, a personality and a decision like this can never be defined with what you call "facts."

The Orioles are never going to say anything on record beyond this, but you don't have to read too deeply between the lines for confirmation of what I'm talking about.

"It was a combination of injuries and he just felt that his heart wasn't in it right now," Orioles director of player development Brian Graham said tonight. "First and foremost, I care about Tyler because he wasn't happy. He was just not enjoying the process and I think injuries played a big part in that and were taking a toll on him."

[RichardZ]

"He was just not enjoying the process and I think injuries played a big part in that and were taking a toll on him."


Most logical people would have bolded this comment as it's the most important one and makes the most sense. You've concocted another scenario in your head and are going with that one.

[Why Not?]

"He was just not enjoying the process and I think injuries played a big part in that and were taking a toll on him."


Most logical people would have bolded this comment as it's the most important one and makes the most sense. You've concocted another scenario in your head and are going with that one.

You are ignoring half of the quote you posted. The scenario I've concocted is a bit more nuanced than yours. If you can't grasp anything more complicated than "He was hurt, so he quit" then I'm moving on.

[RichardZ]

You are ignoring half of the quote you posted. The scenario I've concocted is a bit more nuanced than yours. If you can't grasp anything more complicated than "He was hurt, so he quit" then I'm moving on.

If Townsend hadn't had two seperate wrist injuries (the year he signed and this year) and hamstring injuries over 2-3 years in a row, where do you think he'd be right now?

Answer: Probably doing pretty good in AAA and on the verge of having a shot in the majors, if it hadnt happened already.

Is there another answer? Love to hear it.

[BSLChrisStoner]

The bottom-line is that that another season has begun, and Townsend's career is over.

Whatever the reason or rationale, the result is the same. With his power and on-base skills, I had some hope for him. It's too bad about the injuries. Best of luck to him in whatever he does now.

[Nigel Tufnel]

http://www.washingto...-to-coming-out/

[Nigel Tufnel]

Looks like his restaurant in Rehoboth just opened.

 

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