In 2008, Mets outfielder Ryan Church was concussed sliding into the knee of Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar. He was back in the lineup 10 days later. Soon, though, he was placed on the disabled list with aftereffects. Since then, he has played for the Braves, Pirates and Diamondbacks. Still just 32, he went unsigned this season.
On July 7, 2010, Twins first baseman Justin Morneau suffered a concussion while trying to break up a doubleplay against the Blue Jays. Since he had missed 10 days after being hit in the head by a pitch 5 years earlier, he thought he knew what to expect.
"Not even close to what I had before," he told reporters. "I think it's more being on the cautious side."
The 2005 American League MVP was listed as day-to-day . . . and missed the rest of the season.
Look, every injury is unique. It could turn out that the 91-mph pitch that conked Chase Utley on the batting helmet Wednesday night will turn out to be no big deal after all. Yesterday, he was examined by Dr. Rob Franks, the Rothman Institute concussion specialist.
For one thing, studies show that the effect of concussions are cumulative. Both Church and Morneau had incurred head injuries before. As far as we know, this is Utley's first.
But no matter what the ultimate diagnosis is, no matter how soon the Phillies' second baseman thinks he's ready - and he has earned a reputation for beating the clock in these situations - this is not something to be taken lightly.
Listen to what Morneau said last summer: "I'm pretty aware of what can happen if you don't take care of it. You can play through a sore knee or a banged up wrist, but the head's something you don't want to mess with."
