surgery for kotsay..

ak4na2 · 03-08-2007, 08:38 PM

Quote:

"We have a solution," Kotsay said in a phone interview Wednesday night, adding he'll be out of action eight to 12 weeks. He wouldn't be cleared to begin light rehabilitation until after a three- to four-week healing process.

he is going/went under the knife today..

RobDogBucky · 03-09-2007, 09:22 AM

Yup, and the naysayers are out in force blaming Kotsay!

It is incredible and I take refuge here from the reactionary fans that feel that way. They are calling for his head or at the very least that his contract be voided after this year.

We, as fans, don't know anything about this medical situation, yet the atmosphere in some quarters is that the fans' opinion somehow matters. People get a clue, the fans don't matter to the players. They are professionals and do not make decisions based on the fans' opinions, rather on what is best for them and their families.

This surgeon just did The Big Unit, and it is arthroscopic, which is the least invasive and has the best chance to relieve the condition of a ruptured disc.

Folks will look pretty stupid when he returns before the AS break and has a great second half. Of course they already sound stupid when they whine and condemn a medical decision they know nothing about. I judge Kotsay on the effort I have seen him make, even while dealing with the painful condition of a ruptured disc these last couple of seasons. Back injuries are serious and could become a lifelong disability. Give him credit for taking the time to exhaust all other possible treatments. Was Ellis wrong to take the conservative, non-surgical approach, which by the way, resulted in his returning 100%, albeit after missing a year? Want Kotsay to miss a whole year?

I trust Kotsay and his surgeon.

Later,
RDB

Nat · 03-09-2007, 07:38 PM

Good posting Bucky....I'm assuming you're talking on the Scout crew, 90% of whom always seem to take the dark cloud view on everything. Well, I for one don't view anything happening before July as much more than a gauge for Beane to see what changes need to be made to ensure another playoff spot by October.
In Kotsay's case, we already knew his back was going to be shakey and would likely be benched alot going into the season anyway. Surgery ensures he has a better chance to play full-throttle upon return, wheras he likely would've hobbled thru the season otherwise...and this frees up the opportunity to see how well Stewart, Bradley, Goleski & the rest of the OF will pan out (quite well, I'm expecting).

RobDogBucky · 03-09-2007, 08:31 PM

Nat;

No, I was actually thinking of MLB and AN, but it's prolly just the same at Scout/Beta or whatever.

How about today's game vs Gigantes, eh? Good by Harden, not so good by ELO. Piazza and Perez, etc. did pretty well too.

Lots more time before they play for real. Thank Dog.

Later,
RDB

jamesw · 03-14-2007, 02:11 PM

I just want to remind everyone that there is absolutely no guarantee that sucessfull surgery (even microdiscectomy) will have any effect at all against chonic pain. I work with this all the time and I see failed back surgeries every day.

Nat · 03-14-2007, 07:21 PM

@james Well, that's true...as they say nothing with backs is guaranteed. Once a back is shot, it's shot. Still Kotsay's athleticism and ability to hit even when hurting will make him a viable option on any roster, should he feel well enough to play.

@Rob Like Swish said last night, this is all for the pitchers to get warmed up. Once these guys start hitting it's not only the fans who want it to start counting, quick...Piazza looking really good out there, I must admit.

RobDogBucky · 03-15-2007, 12:31 PM

Nat;

He he he;

It looks like a few of us have this board all to ourselves. I see where there is a "Nat," at Oakball Forums, and I assume that is you. That is a funny group from time to time on there. The MLB site is weird a lot though, and they just purged a lot of posters it seems. I see there is some woofing between Oakball and the AN site. I think the AN is the biggest right now, eh? This would then be the smallest, with FanHome (Fox) and MLB (may as well be Fox) at about the same size, with this one and Oakball being the smallest sites. This is definitely the quietest right now.

As for the A's game two nights ago on FSN, did you check out the kids? Man, I think we are solid with upcoming talent. Buck, Suzuki, Murphy, Barton and those pitchers!

I think we should be bold and like the halos last year, go with somewhat of a youth movement. In other words, if they get off to a rocky start with the pitching, then make some changes quick. These guys, Macbeth, Marshall, Mitchell, and Dinardo looked pretty good to me. Maybe elevate Gaudin to the rotation if ELO or Kennedy flounder, and bring one of these guys up for the pen.

If we need offense, I am not worried if the Good Beane decides to go with youth early this year in that category as well. Getting close to the opener and the only way to learn the answers is between the lines.

Go A's!

Later,
RDB

Nat · 03-16-2007, 11:00 PM

I'm not worried about offense at this time....unless SS & Milton don't bust out the gate as we expect. Harden striking out 10 last night was very encouraging. And Big Hurt aside, I agree these guys will be much more fun to watch this season than the previous few. The heat wave passing over the Bay is killing me with summertime anticipation.

Oakball consists of a heady crew which posted on the old Athletics official site before MLB took them all over and ruined their individuality. In response, we rebel A's fans feeling eternally dissed by Bud Selig ventured over to a fansite started by a teenager from Orinda (at the time) who was "one of us". That's why everyone there seems so snipey and cantankerous...we don't take crap from all those who try dismiss our team as a nonentity, from the commish on down to ignoramouses who feel our GM should take overrated prospects from the wrong coast

They don;t alot of baseball, but they do have the most local fans who go to games out of the other boards.
I have great memories of the old Fanhome/BaseballBoards.com...can only hope word of mouth makes this one even a shadow of its former self.

RobDogBucky · 03-17-2007, 01:04 PM

Nat;

You guys over at Oakball definitely seem like you've known each other a long time and even when jiving appear to respect each other, nothing taken toooooo seriously. Well, maybe the stadium issue has been the most devisive issue I can recall reading about over there. I just lurk around from time to time, but when you do even that over some years you get to know posters. I have only opened the A's forums over there though, so I don't even know what else is there but that.

Was it on Oakball that they had the link of the mock music video shot with the two guys rolling down the street in the unmanned vehicle w/doors open, a parody of hip hop fad of doing same? I think the theme of it was critical of the Fremont move. Although I personally feel the Fremont proposal will work well if it works at all, but that video was great and pure genius. It's probably the funniest board around too.

Let's see, it's been almost 2 weeks since the surgery, so that means only 8-10 weeks more from the original estimate for Kotsay's return. Won't be long now, and I haven't heard anything other than everyone's dings are healing and they are all coming around, Duke, ELO's shoulder tightness was gone last time out, velocity was back. Kielty is on time to resume. With Harden, so far, so very good. Crosby has not altered his approach swinging though, tick, tick,.......

Bradley better save some of his enthusiasm and energy for the season. He seems ready to really bust out this year. Read some back and forth recently on whether Piazza will be any better than Frank in the offensive production department and the tendency for Piazza to hit more grounders than Frank, get more doubles than Frank, and a fewer number of walks, as he does not wait the right-handers out like Frank could. I don't know, Piazza can at least run the bases better so that should help in the run production and maybe offset the ground ball negatives.

Who do you think they will take north in terms of pitchers and stop gap players until Kotsay's return?

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Go A's!

Later,
RDB

Nat · 03-17-2007, 04:34 PM

Happy St Patrick's Day!
Had my first Irish coffee at 12:30 this afternoon...
I think Bocachica has made the best impression as far as OF replacements go...Goleski a bit of a disappointment. Will be interesting to see if the "girl kisser" can bat at the MLB level yet.
Noone seems to dying for that 5th pitcher spot...was hoping Kennedy was going to steal it but he & the rest seem slow out the post. Same for Embree and some of the other middle relievers, but I won't be worried until the games start counting.
Have a safe & fun holiday Bucky (& the rest)...

RobDogBucky · 03-23-2007, 12:06 PM

Hey Nat;

Lookie here;

"(03-23) 04:00 PDT Phoenix -- Two weeks removed from back surgery, center fielder Mark Kotsay was walking around the A's clubhouse on Thursday with no sign of stiffness or pain.
"Kotsay's one of the biggest leaders on the team so it gives you a little extra boost at the end of spring training to see him walking around without a walker and joking around,'' starting pitcher Joe Kennedy said.
Kotsay's return date is still hazy. He had a micodiscectomy for a herniated disk on March 8 and he is still a week away from beginning rehab, which he'll do in San Diego. He is limited to walking for now and he is instructed not to twist, bend over or lift anything. Rehab could last four to six weeks, according to Kotsay, before he is cleared for baseball activity, and at some point after that, he'd probably have to go on a minor-league rehab assignment for at least several days. Still, in a best-case scenario, the original time frame Kotsay provided of two to three months might not be too far off. If everything goes perfectly, that might mean sometime in May."

Susan Slusser, SFGate.com
03/23/07

It looks like everything is going well with Kotsay and may be back long before any of us thought he could be. It would be nice to see him out there in May sometime.

Later,
RDB

lastexit · 03-23-2007, 03:52 PM

It's good to see an Oakland Athletic get surgery without sucking for 3 months of the season first.

Nat · 03-23-2007, 06:16 PM

Ain't that the truth!

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastexit

It's good to see an Oakland Athletic get surgery without sucking for 3 months of the season first.

lastexit · 03-25-2007, 03:37 AM

on that same note, what's this I hear about Durazo tearing up the spring league?

Nat · 03-25-2007, 10:18 AM

Yea, it seems to be DJ & Ruby fighting for the same spot....
I dunno, potential vs track record....I'm tempted to go with Durazo at this point, as long as he's willing to play some 1B. Getting very impatient waiting for DJ to finally 'come around' with the bat.

03-23-2007, 03:52 PM	#12 (permalink)
lastexit Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SF Posts: 88	kotsay It's good to see an Oakland Athletic get surgery without sucking for 3 months of the season first.

03-25-2007, 03:37 AM	#14 (permalink)
lastexit Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SF Posts: 88	Durazo on that same note, what's this I hear about Durazo tearing up the spring league?

03-09-2007, 09:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
RobDogBucky Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 118	Yup, and the naysayers are out in force blaming Kotsay! It is incredible and I take refuge here from the reactionary fans that feel that way. They are calling for his head or at the very least that his contract be voided after this year. We, as fans, don't know anything about this medical situation, yet the atmosphere in some quarters is that the fans' opinion somehow matters. People get a clue, the fans don't matter to the players. They are professionals and do not make decisions based on the fans' opinions, rather on what is best for them and their families. This surgeon just did The Big Unit, and it is arthroscopic, which is the least invasive and has the best chance to relieve the condition of a ruptured disc. Folks will look pretty stupid when he returns before the AS break and has a great second half. Of course they already sound stupid when they whine and condemn a medical decision they know nothing about. I judge Kotsay on the effort I have seen him make, even while dealing with the painful condition of a ruptured disc these last couple of seasons. Back injuries are serious and could become a lifelong disability. Give him credit for taking the time to exhaust all other possible treatments. Was Ellis wrong to take the conservative, non-surgical approach, which by the way, resulted in his returning 100%, albeit after missing a year? Want Kotsay to miss a whole year? I trust Kotsay and his surgeon. Later, RDB

03-09-2007, 07:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nat Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,177	Good posting Bucky....I'm assuming you're talking on the Scout crew, 90% of whom always seem to take the dark cloud view on everything. Well, I for one don't view anything happening before July as much more than a gauge for Beane to see what changes need to be made to ensure another playoff spot by October. In Kotsay's case, we already knew his back was going to be shakey and would likely be benched alot going into the season anyway. Surgery ensures he has a better chance to play full-throttle upon return, wheras he likely would've hobbled thru the season otherwise...and this frees up the opportunity to see how well Stewart, Bradley, Goleski & the rest of the OF will pan out (quite well, I'm expecting).

03-09-2007, 08:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
RobDogBucky Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 118	Nat; No, I was actually thinking of MLB and AN, but it's prolly just the same at Scout/Beta or whatever. How about today's game vs Gigantes, eh? Good by Harden, not so good by ELO. Piazza and Perez, etc. did pretty well too. Lots more time before they play for real. Thank Dog. Later, RDB

03-14-2007, 02:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
jamesw Rookie Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 4	I just want to remind everyone that there is absolutely no guarantee that sucessfull surgery (even microdiscectomy) will have any effect at all against chonic pain. I work with this all the time and I see failed back surgeries every day.

03-14-2007, 07:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
Nat Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,177	@james Well, that's true...as they say nothing with backs is guaranteed. Once a back is shot, it's shot. Still Kotsay's athleticism and ability to hit even when hurting will make him a viable option on any roster, should he feel well enough to play. @Rob Like Swish said last night, this is all for the pitchers to get warmed up. Once these guys start hitting it's not only the fans who want it to start counting, quick...Piazza looking really good out there, I must admit.

03-15-2007, 12:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
RobDogBucky Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 118	Nat; He he he; It looks like a few of us have this board all to ourselves. I see where there is a "Nat," at Oakball Forums, and I assume that is you. That is a funny group from time to time on there. The MLB site is weird a lot though, and they just purged a lot of posters it seems. I see there is some woofing between Oakball and the AN site. I think the AN is the biggest right now, eh? This would then be the smallest, with FanHome (Fox) and MLB (may as well be Fox) at about the same size, with this one and Oakball being the smallest sites. This is definitely the quietest right now. As for the A's game two nights ago on FSN, did you check out the kids? Man, I think we are solid with upcoming talent. Buck, Suzuki, Murphy, Barton and those pitchers! I think we should be bold and like the halos last year, go with somewhat of a youth movement. In other words, if they get off to a rocky start with the pitching, then make some changes quick. These guys, Macbeth, Marshall, Mitchell, and Dinardo looked pretty good to me. Maybe elevate Gaudin to the rotation if ELO or Kennedy flounder, and bring one of these guys up for the pen. If we need offense, I am not worried if the Good Beane decides to go with youth early this year in that category as well. Getting close to the opener and the only way to learn the answers is between the lines. Go A's! Later, RDB

03-16-2007, 11:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
Nat Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,177	I'm not worried about offense at this time....unless SS & Milton don't bust out the gate as we expect. Harden striking out 10 last night was very encouraging. And Big Hurt aside, I agree these guys will be much more fun to watch this season than the previous few. The heat wave passing over the Bay is killing me with summertime anticipation. Oakball consists of a heady crew which posted on the old Athletics official site before MLB took them all over and ruined their individuality. In response, we rebel A's fans feeling eternally dissed by Bud Selig ventured over to a fansite started by a teenager from Orinda (at the time) who was "one of us". That's why everyone there seems so snipey and cantankerous...we don't take crap from all those who try dismiss our team as a nonentity, from the commish on down to ignoramouses who feel our GM should take overrated prospects from the wrong coast They don;t alot of baseball, but they do have the most local fans who go to games out of the other boards. I have great memories of the old Fanhome/BaseballBoards.com...can only hope word of mouth makes this one even a shadow of its former self.

03-17-2007, 01:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
RobDogBucky Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 118	Nat; You guys over at Oakball definitely seem like you've known each other a long time and even when jiving appear to respect each other, nothing taken toooooo seriously. Well, maybe the stadium issue has been the most devisive issue I can recall reading about over there. I just lurk around from time to time, but when you do even that over some years you get to know posters. I have only opened the A's forums over there though, so I don't even know what else is there but that. Was it on Oakball that they had the link of the mock music video shot with the two guys rolling down the street in the unmanned vehicle w/doors open, a parody of hip hop fad of doing same? I think the theme of it was critical of the Fremont move. Although I personally feel the Fremont proposal will work well if it works at all, but that video was great and pure genius. It's probably the funniest board around too. Let's see, it's been almost 2 weeks since the surgery, so that means only 8-10 weeks more from the original estimate for Kotsay's return. Won't be long now, and I haven't heard anything other than everyone's dings are healing and they are all coming around, Duke, ELO's shoulder tightness was gone last time out, velocity was back. Kielty is on time to resume. With Harden, so far, so very good. Crosby has not altered his approach swinging though, tick, tick,....... Bradley better save some of his enthusiasm and energy for the season. He seems ready to really bust out this year. Read some back and forth recently on whether Piazza will be any better than Frank in the offensive production department and the tendency for Piazza to hit more grounders than Frank, get more doubles than Frank, and a fewer number of walks, as he does not wait the right-handers out like Frank could. I don't know, Piazza can at least run the bases better so that should help in the run production and maybe offset the ground ball negatives. Who do you think they will take north in terms of pitchers and stop gap players until Kotsay's return? Happy St. Patty's Day! Go A's! Later, RDB

03-17-2007, 04:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
Nat Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,177	Happy St Patrick's Day! Had my first Irish coffee at 12:30 this afternoon... I think Bocachica has made the best impression as far as OF replacements go...Goleski a bit of a disappointment. Will be interesting to see if the "girl kisser" can bat at the MLB level yet. Noone seems to dying for that 5th pitcher spot...was hoping Kennedy was going to steal it but he & the rest seem slow out the post. Same for Embree and some of the other middle relievers, but I won't be worried until the games start counting. Have a safe & fun holiday Bucky (& the rest)...

03-23-2007, 12:06 PM	#11 (permalink)
RobDogBucky Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 118	Hey Nat; Lookie here; "(03-23) 04:00 PDT Phoenix -- Two weeks removed from back surgery, center fielder Mark Kotsay was walking around the A's clubhouse on Thursday with no sign of stiffness or pain. "Kotsay's one of the biggest leaders on the team so it gives you a little extra boost at the end of spring training to see him walking around without a walker and joking around,'' starting pitcher Joe Kennedy said. Kotsay's return date is still hazy. He had a micodiscectomy for a herniated disk on March 8 and he is still a week away from beginning rehab, which he'll do in San Diego. He is limited to walking for now and he is instructed not to twist, bend over or lift anything. Rehab could last four to six weeks, according to Kotsay, before he is cleared for baseball activity, and at some point after that, he'd probably have to go on a minor-league rehab assignment for at least several days. Still, in a best-case scenario, the original time frame Kotsay provided of two to three months might not be too far off. If everything goes perfectly, that might mean sometime in May." Susan Slusser, SFGate.com 03/23/07 It looks like everything is going well with Kotsay and may be back long before any of us thought he could be. It would be nice to see him out there in May sometime. Later, RDB

03-25-2007, 10:18 AM	#15 (permalink)
Nat Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,177	Yea, it seems to be DJ & Ruby fighting for the same spot.... I dunno, potential vs track record....I'm tempted to go with Durazo at this point, as long as he's willing to play some 1B. Getting very impatient waiting for DJ to finally 'come around' with the bat.