FREAK ACCIDENT OR NOT, THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

Edwin Diaz got hurt in a freak accident in the WBC last night.  He was carted off the field. While it stinks for him, it really stinks for the Mets.  But more to that... it's a big eye opener to why the WBC or any off-season sport brings concern when it comes to professional athletes.

Now you can blame a lot of people for all of this. Blame the WBC if you want. Blame Edwin Diaz for deciding to play.  You can blame the Mets for allowing it to happen, or maybe you want to go after clown Rob Manfred for giving us free baseball before the season even starts.  But that's a matter of opinion. The fact of the matter is risk is everywhere.

Bob Nightengale might have put out the stupidest tweet in a while when it came to Edwin Diaz and the WBC:

I mean. This is kind of a silly tweet

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) March 16, 2023

Stop Bob. Trout and Betts aren't an authority of anything. No one cares.  How about you ask Edwin Diaz himself. How about you ask someone connected to the story? That's what journalists do.

Here's what happened to Edwin last night. The New York Post has it:

"Edwin Diaz, the team’s All-Star closer, was removed from the field in Miami in a wheelchair after he was injured during Team Puerto Rico’s postgame celebration following a 5-2 victory over the Dominican Republic.

Diaz had just recorded the final out of the game and was crowded by teammates who began hugging him near the pitcher’s mound.

Diaz emerged from the celebration unable to put weight on his right knee and was helped to a wheelchair.

Diaz’s younger brother Alexis, also a reliever for Team Puerto Rico, was in tears as Edwin was helped from the field."

Careers are destroyed when things like this happen. And many times careers are set back.  Reminds me of Aaron Boone with his ridiculous pick-up baseketball game after the 2003 season. ESPN wrote this story in 2004.

"Yankees third baseman Aaron Boone injured his left knee playing basketball and might miss the season.

Boone was hurt Jan. 16 and may have torn his anterior cruciate ligament. He was examined three days later by Anaheim Angels team physician Dr. Lewis Yocum, and Boone informed the Yankees of the
injury that night.

The extent of the injury will not be known until swelling subsides, and he has not yet been examined by Yankees' doctors.

Boone agreed Dec. 1 to a $5.75 million, one-year contract, and the contract contained language saying it would become nonguaranteed if he played basketball."

Boone's career was never the same after that, until the Yankees put him on a pedestal and made him puppet of the Yankees.  When it comes to athletes, as a fan I have always believed that if you are in a contract, your actions are vital to your contribution to the team.  Boone failed his team. Dare I say Edwin Diaz may have too, although on a much smaller scale than Boone's situation.

My point is these athletes are adults. They make their own decisions. Diaz had a choice, no question, but obviously he and all these MLB players are in contract and so, ultimately, it's a risk.  

It comes down the personal responsibility in my opinion.  Diaz probably feels terrible about what happened. But the worst part was he did nothing wrong but celebrate with his brothers in a moment of excitement. I don't fault him, although blame leans his way.  

But this is why we don't do off season activities when it comes to professional athletes in a contract.  Risks are everywhere.  It's just a damn shame. WBC should revisit when they play their season.

I wish Edwin Diaz nothing but a speedy recovery and crossing my fingers he gets back on track and continues to have a terrific career.  When are we going to see a Edwin Diaz meme of him on the ground and Timmy Trumpet playing Taps? Cause you know it's coming.

Get well soon Edwin. I am not a Mets fan by any means, but I appreciate hard workers and you're it buddy.