Monday, April 18, 2011

Ken Gurnick Uses Dreaded Y-Word

From "Back strain, 'yips' land Kuo on DL" by Gurnick at Dodgers.com:

In May 2009, the Dodgers put reliever Hong-Chih Kuo on the disabled list with what was called a "left elbow strain." And his elbow was strained, but it turned out he also had a case of the "yips," a loss of certain motor skills often used by golfers to explain shaky putting, but adapted in baseball for players who suddenly can't control throws with no loss in velocity.

On Saturday, the Dodgers put Kuo on the disabled list with what was called a "lower left back strain," and his back does have an issue, but apparently he also has a relapse of the yips.

During pitchers' fielding practice on Friday, two of Kuo's throws to second base sailed and bounced into center field. He tried to warm up in the bullpen during the eighth inning of a blowout loss and wasn't able to throw a strike, prompting the decision to recall right-hander Ramon Troncoso and put Kuo back on the disabled list.

Two years ago, Kuo attempted a similar bullpen session and airmailed two pitches onto the field that stopped play. This time he wasn't as wild, but he was wild enough.

Bill Shaikin of the LA Times offers a similar story, but eschewing the term "yips." Kuo's status is an effective reminder of the significance of the mental game of baseball — especially as we watch Jonathan Broxton's varying performances, or marvel at the rejuvenated Matt Kemp. You can't turn off your brain!

13 comments:

Nostradamus said...

At least it's not the elbow.

Kyle Baker said...

OT:

Has anyone seen those so-called retro 80s t-shirts that are the giveaway for the May 1 game? LAME. It's just the Dodgers logo (the one with the name and then the whooshing ball) and then in red at the top left of the front it reads "1981". So I guess typing 1981 makes it retro. I rarely bag on giveaways because I think we continue t have among the best and by far the most and most generous, but this one falls a little flat.

That said, Mrs Dusty wants one.

Paul said...

The brain is crazy!!

Ever bowl like three strikes or more in a row? The muscle memory is working the game is easy and then bam you lose it and try to adjust then adjust to the adjustment and before you know it your hitting .199 since July of 2010....Or something like that.

Josh S. said...

I dunno, Dusty. It's got that faded vintage look to it. Also, the font on the '81 is very '80s. I remember it being common on Dodgers shirts of the time. I think I may have even had shirt similar to this one back then.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I love faded shirts.

Kyle Baker said...

True, it is faux-distressed, like some bum has been wearing it since circa 1981.

karina said...

I love faux-faded shirts #hipstercomment

@Paul are you talking about another current Dodger? :(

Kyle Baker said...

Our Karina, ever the hipster. Bet you would also like the $16.99 (US) t-shirts from Target featuring 80s advertisements and products. Plus, they're faux distressed.

spank said...

Dylan!

Paul said...

I bought one of those shirts! It was a Nirvana shirt on sale for 9.99 and matched a similar Nirvana shirt I use to have but I had to throw away. It had too many Taco Bell stains on it.

karina said...

@Dusty Baker not really, I'd buy an Orange Crush vintage shirt,only because it carries a not-so-obscure R.E.M. reference ;)

spank said...

I'd buy one if it say's Spam.

Kyle Baker said...

@Karina

Yes, they have "old" Orange Crush tees as a matter of fact.

It's a great arrangement, these tees. Hipsters feel like they are tapping into the the hipster zeitgeist and advertisers get free publicity. Plus, Target profits from the sale of said shirts. Everybody wins!