redsoxfan45
07-06-2001, 08:16 PM
Everett's desire is questioned
By Bob Hohler, Globe Staff, 7/6/2001
CLEVELAND - Trot Nixon had plenty to be pleased about last night after smashing a two-run homer off Bartolo Colon to spark a dramatic, come-from-behind 5-4 victory over the Indians. But he also had some pointed concerns about the star center fielder he has spelled: Carl Everett.
Everett is eligible to come off the disabled list tomorrow, 15 days after he hurt his right knee chasing a ball at Tampa Bay. But he will not be back before the All-Star break and it is unclear how soon he will return afterward.
''We need Carl in the lineup,'' Nixon said. ''We're doing well since he's been hurt, but if something is wrong, we've got to find out what the problem is. Waiting around and not rehabbing or anything isn't helping our ball club and isn't helping Carl at all.''
Though Nixon has no gripes about returning to the center field position he played in the minors, he expressed a view shared by some Sox players that Everett has not worked hard enough to come back from his injury.
''He's sitting over on the bench and we're wondering what's going on with him,'' Nixon said. ''Whatever it is, he needs to get it straightened out, period. He's a guy we need out on the field every day, but you also have to make efforts to work your way back onto the field.''
Everett had left the clubhouse and was not available for comment. But he reiterated before the game he does not want to risk aggravating the injury. His baseball activity has been largely limited to hitting off a tee and taking ground balls hit directly at him. The team listed Everett's injury with the American League as a sprained knee.
''I hate to even say that I'm not going to get [back] before the break,'' Everett said, ''but what I'm actually trying to do is get healthy first. I don't want a setback, so I'm taking it real cautiously.''
He added, ''Any time I don't play, it's frustrating. But if I go do something stupid, then it might end my career. I'm not into that. Especially with my knees, I don't think I would risk even going out there at 80 or 85 percent.''
He said he had trouble with his left knee in 1993. ''It took me three years to get over that,'' he said. ''That's why I know you've got to treat [knee injuries] with kid gloves.''
Everett has said his recovery period may be prolonged by his reluctance to take anti-inflammatories because he is allergic to aspirin. But Nixon remained concerned. ''Our medical staff has done a great job getting guys back on the field and they're trying their damndest with Carl and certain things just aren't working,'' he said. ''I don't know what they have to do to get him back because he says it doesn't feel right. Is there something wrong with it? Well, they did those tests and they said nothing was structurally wrong.''
Nixon, who has hit .283 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in 14 games since Everett went on the DL, missed nearly a month last season with a hamstring injury. He said rehabbing was painful at times. ''You've got to want to get back on the field,'' Nixon said. ''You've got to come in here and rehab. It's going to hurt sometimes when you rehab. You don't want to rush things, but in the same sense you want to get it better.''
Everett said his injury has slowly improved enough that he does not feel compelled to seek a second medical opinion. But he remains unable to run and he said, ''Running the bases will be the last thing I try to do.''
Manager Jimy Williams said he will not consider returning Everett to the lineup until he is able to run the bases.
Everett said, ''I haven't set a timetable for myself at all.''
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By Bob Hohler, Globe Staff, 7/6/2001
CLEVELAND - Trot Nixon had plenty to be pleased about last night after smashing a two-run homer off Bartolo Colon to spark a dramatic, come-from-behind 5-4 victory over the Indians. But he also had some pointed concerns about the star center fielder he has spelled: Carl Everett.
Everett is eligible to come off the disabled list tomorrow, 15 days after he hurt his right knee chasing a ball at Tampa Bay. But he will not be back before the All-Star break and it is unclear how soon he will return afterward.
''We need Carl in the lineup,'' Nixon said. ''We're doing well since he's been hurt, but if something is wrong, we've got to find out what the problem is. Waiting around and not rehabbing or anything isn't helping our ball club and isn't helping Carl at all.''
Though Nixon has no gripes about returning to the center field position he played in the minors, he expressed a view shared by some Sox players that Everett has not worked hard enough to come back from his injury.
''He's sitting over on the bench and we're wondering what's going on with him,'' Nixon said. ''Whatever it is, he needs to get it straightened out, period. He's a guy we need out on the field every day, but you also have to make efforts to work your way back onto the field.''
Everett had left the clubhouse and was not available for comment. But he reiterated before the game he does not want to risk aggravating the injury. His baseball activity has been largely limited to hitting off a tee and taking ground balls hit directly at him. The team listed Everett's injury with the American League as a sprained knee.
''I hate to even say that I'm not going to get [back] before the break,'' Everett said, ''but what I'm actually trying to do is get healthy first. I don't want a setback, so I'm taking it real cautiously.''
He added, ''Any time I don't play, it's frustrating. But if I go do something stupid, then it might end my career. I'm not into that. Especially with my knees, I don't think I would risk even going out there at 80 or 85 percent.''
He said he had trouble with his left knee in 1993. ''It took me three years to get over that,'' he said. ''That's why I know you've got to treat [knee injuries] with kid gloves.''
Everett has said his recovery period may be prolonged by his reluctance to take anti-inflammatories because he is allergic to aspirin. But Nixon remained concerned. ''Our medical staff has done a great job getting guys back on the field and they're trying their damndest with Carl and certain things just aren't working,'' he said. ''I don't know what they have to do to get him back because he says it doesn't feel right. Is there something wrong with it? Well, they did those tests and they said nothing was structurally wrong.''
Nixon, who has hit .283 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in 14 games since Everett went on the DL, missed nearly a month last season with a hamstring injury. He said rehabbing was painful at times. ''You've got to want to get back on the field,'' Nixon said. ''You've got to come in here and rehab. It's going to hurt sometimes when you rehab. You don't want to rush things, but in the same sense you want to get it better.''
Everett said his injury has slowly improved enough that he does not feel compelled to seek a second medical opinion. But he remains unable to run and he said, ''Running the bases will be the last thing I try to do.''
Manager Jimy Williams said he will not consider returning Everett to the lineup until he is able to run the bases.
Everett said, ''I haven't set a timetable for myself at all.''
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