Baseball Guru
02-08-2005, 09:07 AM
http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/tb/ne...ws_tb&fext=.jsp
Center fielder due back from knee surgery at midseason
By Paul C. Smith / MLB.com
"The [left] leg is still not as strong as the right leg ... but it's coming along right on schedule," Rocco Baldelli said. (Scott Martin/AP)
ST. PETERSBURG -- On the field, Rocco Baldelli dazzles fans with his speed, impressive plays in center field and developing power at the plate.
Off the field, he mixes intelligence, humor and maturity in an even-tempered approach to all things that matter to him.
At this point in his life, his off-the-field attributes will have to see him through to the point where he can once again display his on-the-field abilities.
Rocco Baldelli is recovering.
He has been recovering since late October and will continue recovering until he steps on a Major League field again at midseason, maybe not before the All-Star break.
Ever since he had major surgery on his left knee, Baldelli has done all the right things. He went to Colorado for more rehab. He was on crutches. He worked his way off crutches.
He dutifully performed his balance and stability workouts, standing on the balance board doing exercises. In fact, he might end up with better balance than ever before.
He walks on an inclined treadmill for 30 minutes, then works out 25 minutes on the elyptical machine. He has done some strengthening in the pool. Baldelli has rehab from 9-11:30 every morning and then goes to the gym all afternoon.
Basically, an offseason that should have been spent relaxing and gearing up for his third full season in the Majors has turned into an offseason of pain and strain.
Usually, he would look forward to coming to St. Petersburg, Fla., to rejoin his teammates a week early for Spring Training. The mood would be upbeat and the smiles would be broad as the guys looked around the room, noting who has gained weight, who has lost weight and who added the wackiest tattoo.
What does he have to look forward this week in his return?
"Well, I'll start jogging when I get back," Baldelli said.
Baldelli also will join the team's annual caravan for one day (Saturday) and be there to welcome old teammates and new ones the week after at the Naimoli Complex.
But when it comes time for them to hit the field and work into shape for a season that starts April 4 at Tropicana Field, Baldelli won't be with them. He will watch them go, wander into the trainer's room for a little while and then spend the rest of his time wondering when and where his season will start.
"How do I handle the mental part?" Baldelli said, not really answering the question.
He has to use a strong mind to heal a not-so-strong body.
He uses positive thinking.
"I haven't had any setbacks, no infections. That's good," Baldelli said.
Then he remembers that early in his recovery he did have frostbite for five days after leaving an icebag on his leg overnight. That was scary. But it turned out OK.
He uses distractions. Football games, video games, time with friends and family. Lots of time with friends and family.
"That's good," Baldelli said.
He simply tries not to think about the accident, the surgery and all the work he still has to do to recover fully.
Baldelli is not always comfortable talking about himself. So, it follows that he doesn't have much to say about a return to the game that he knows he doesn't necessarily control.
But he knows people care about him and want to know how he's doing.
"Tell them the [left] leg is still not as strong as the right leg by any means, but it's coming along right on schedule," Baldelli said, before changing the subject.
Paul C. Smith is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Center fielder due back from knee surgery at midseason
By Paul C. Smith / MLB.com
"The [left] leg is still not as strong as the right leg ... but it's coming along right on schedule," Rocco Baldelli said. (Scott Martin/AP)
ST. PETERSBURG -- On the field, Rocco Baldelli dazzles fans with his speed, impressive plays in center field and developing power at the plate.
Off the field, he mixes intelligence, humor and maturity in an even-tempered approach to all things that matter to him.
At this point in his life, his off-the-field attributes will have to see him through to the point where he can once again display his on-the-field abilities.
Rocco Baldelli is recovering.
He has been recovering since late October and will continue recovering until he steps on a Major League field again at midseason, maybe not before the All-Star break.
Ever since he had major surgery on his left knee, Baldelli has done all the right things. He went to Colorado for more rehab. He was on crutches. He worked his way off crutches.
He dutifully performed his balance and stability workouts, standing on the balance board doing exercises. In fact, he might end up with better balance than ever before.
He walks on an inclined treadmill for 30 minutes, then works out 25 minutes on the elyptical machine. He has done some strengthening in the pool. Baldelli has rehab from 9-11:30 every morning and then goes to the gym all afternoon.
Basically, an offseason that should have been spent relaxing and gearing up for his third full season in the Majors has turned into an offseason of pain and strain.
Usually, he would look forward to coming to St. Petersburg, Fla., to rejoin his teammates a week early for Spring Training. The mood would be upbeat and the smiles would be broad as the guys looked around the room, noting who has gained weight, who has lost weight and who added the wackiest tattoo.
What does he have to look forward this week in his return?
"Well, I'll start jogging when I get back," Baldelli said.
Baldelli also will join the team's annual caravan for one day (Saturday) and be there to welcome old teammates and new ones the week after at the Naimoli Complex.
But when it comes time for them to hit the field and work into shape for a season that starts April 4 at Tropicana Field, Baldelli won't be with them. He will watch them go, wander into the trainer's room for a little while and then spend the rest of his time wondering when and where his season will start.
"How do I handle the mental part?" Baldelli said, not really answering the question.
He has to use a strong mind to heal a not-so-strong body.
He uses positive thinking.
"I haven't had any setbacks, no infections. That's good," Baldelli said.
Then he remembers that early in his recovery he did have frostbite for five days after leaving an icebag on his leg overnight. That was scary. But it turned out OK.
He uses distractions. Football games, video games, time with friends and family. Lots of time with friends and family.
"That's good," Baldelli said.
He simply tries not to think about the accident, the surgery and all the work he still has to do to recover fully.
Baldelli is not always comfortable talking about himself. So, it follows that he doesn't have much to say about a return to the game that he knows he doesn't necessarily control.
But he knows people care about him and want to know how he's doing.
"Tell them the [left] leg is still not as strong as the right leg by any means, but it's coming along right on schedule," Baldelli said, before changing the subject.
Paul C. Smith is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.