Justin Morneau has played just 69 games since being concussed July of 2010, and there's no guarantee his troubles are over with. The 30-year-old first baseman acknowledged that concussion symptoms could end his career, according to Jim Souhan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
“I don’t think there will be a career if it’s something I’m dealing with," he said. “That’s the reality of the whole thing. I’m obviously not going to continue to mess around with this if it continues to be a problem. There comes a point where you can only torture yourself for so long."
Morneau explained that he enjoys playing baseball, but finds it frustrating not to be able to contribute on the field. He's under contract for $14MM in 2012 and the same amount in 2013. Morneau is a four-time All-Star who won the 2006 American League MVP at the age of 25.
Would be a sad way to end a very promising career…
Totally agree with you. The fans loved him and he had HOF written all over him. Next to Spam, he’s the next best thing to come out of Minnesota.
Because obviously Mauer is no good…
Or Puckett. Or all of the number flying behind the LF foul pole at Target Field.
If you are going to put all of those great players in the mix, where does the Spam rank?
What about Harmon Killebrew?
Good call. If they had an icon for 2 thumbs up, it would be placed here.
I’m glad he’s not a thorn in the Tigers side anymore, but this is just too sad. He and Mauer could have been such a great 1-2 punch if they were both healthy.
Yeah. The Tigers fan in me is happy in that he won’t kill us, but I don’t want a great player going out like this. Such a bummer if he has to retire.
And people wonder why I dislike Tigers fans.
Article about the reality Justin’s career could end at any given moment, and Tigers fans have to come and rub our noses in it.
Thanks for the class Detroit.
Class?? Detroit?? Something doesn’t belong.
Go away.
Both Tigers fans actually showed respect there and saying he won’t beat the Tigers anymore was just a matter-of-fact statement. Both comments shared the sentiment that they don’t want to see a great young player’s career be derailed by a health issues and that’s how any true baseball fan feels when reading a story like this.
Don’t attack an entire fan base just because of what two commenters said, and especially not when neither one was actually being rude or disrespectful.
“but this is just too sad.”
Let’s ignore that.
I think you need to read that again. I don’t think either post was classless. Both guys said it was a sad situation for a great player to be going through.
I tend to dislike people that are much smarter than me too.
ha
When I go to Twins games, I like to schmooze with the opponent’s fans who care enough about baseball to follow their team to MN, and Tigers fans have proven to be some of the classiest and most intelligent baseball fans I’ve come across at the Metrodome and Target Field.
Really? I haven’t had that experience. I’ve found that the quiet Yankees fans are actually quite knowledgeable and tolerable.
Yes, I’ve found that, too. It’s funny because they hate the bad apples in their bunch as much as I do, and they’re not afraid to bring it up or admit it.
The Royals fans seem to be the friendliest, do you agree?
I haven’t met too many Royals fans. I don’t blame them though. It’s kind of hard to make a road trip to watch them play. They are getting better though, so I’ll probably start seeing more of them.
Always upsetting when injuries end a career short.
Sad to hear. When healthy, he’s one of the best all around players in the game
One of the most underrated players in baseball when healthy. This is a total shame.
He’s only underrated because he he plays for MN. and if you put him in Boston or New York he wouldn’t be underrated anymore. It’s not over yet but it sounds like he is preparing himself and fans if this don’t go well he is retiring.
how can a former MVP winner be underrated?
The guy got no love. He could have been said to be one of the top 3 players in baseball and got no media recognition.
I am not sure about Top 3 status. But I can understand the little love argument.
Might of made a little stretch there but still. This guy was an incredibly talented hitter and it’s a shame to see him waste away this way. I was a big fan of his as well.
Because the year he won it people still argued that he didn’t deserve it.
He wasn’t even the most valuable player on his own team that year.
Obviously WAR isn’t everything, but going by fWAR that year, he was around 22nd in the AL among qualifying hitters. Going by bWAR, he was around 18th among all players in the MVP voting that year.
Mauer, on the other hand, was 2nd in both, being surpassed only by Grady Sizemore in both measures.
The forgotten 2008 HR Derby Champ…
You mean Hamilton didn’t win?!?
ouch, no bueno
really sucks to hear about these kinda things. if he does have to quit, mike matheny comes to mind.
both fan favorites of their respective teams, really is too bad
poor guy. I really feel bad for the Twins. If I were forced to pick a favorite AL team it’d be the Twins. They were such a promising team a few years ago and now Morneau hasn’t been able to play, Mauer has had troubles and now Cuddyer is gone
This is horrible. With Morneau and Mauer both HEALTHY this team makes the playoffs no matter what is around them. They are that good. If they can come back at all to even resemble themselves then the Tigers have some competition. If not, here we come last place again.
It just goes to show how volatile the “two MVPs and seven scrubs” model the Twins use is.
Sorry to hear this…but would be nice for him to take a page from Gil Meche’s classy book and renegotiate his deal if he can’t contribute…especially if he’s forced to retire.
Why would that be “classy?” He was hurt playing for the Twins. Actually he was hurt hustling and trying to break up a double play. And, he would still be playing if he did not get hurt. There is risk involved on both sides of contracts, he earned the money.
So you’re saying he’s earned the $28 million for 2012 and 2013 already?
If that’s your premise then we fundamentally disagree. See, in my strange universe you don’t earn the money unless you perform your job.
Gil Meche could have earned $12 million from the Royals last year but he retired instead because he knew he couldn’t do his job. He was hurt playing for the Royals as well.
That’s a class act, not someone who takes $28 million and says: “There is risk involved on both sides of the contract.”
I guess we’ll agree to disagree.
It isn’t like he has been on vacation. He received a debilitating injury performing at a high level in a multi-billion dollar entertainment industry. The Twins made all sorts of money off of him during his good years (at a price FAR below the value of his production). I am sure he would trade in the $28 mil for a brain that works. Besides, the Twins took out an insurance policy, I am not going to cry for them.
Very unfortunate. He’s a fun player to watch. I hope all works out well for Mr. Morneau. He’s always seemed like a very respectable guy.
The music is playing but it’s not over yet.
Very good player – just killed the White Sox – well for that matter just about killed everybody. But he’s probably following the Dave Duerson case close. Can’t get out now-Money- But good advise would be retire and enjoy your life – baseball isn’t everything.
Does anyone know how he got injured?
Sliding into second base. He took a knee to the head.
From John McDonald of all people.
I thought it was Aaron Hill?
no Aaron hill had a similar injury while colliding with David Eckstein
He also played a lot of hockey growing up in Canada and dealt with minor concussions back then. Unfortunately these things build up over time and there is no way to fix it.
Hats off to a ballplayer who realizes he has an unfortunate health concern and is dealing with it in a realistic manner.
I wish him the best. Very good player and hopefully he can get healthy and it doesn’t come down to retirement.
I rooting for him to make a comeback but it appears to be still up in the air after all this time. Very sad indeed.
If I were the twins I’d open up a scouting spot or some other spot in the organization where he can still be around the game. That’s a shame. he will do what’s best for him and his family. Really is one of the most underrated players. I think it’s because of Mauer being so good he kinda gets put in the shadows but he deserves all the credit in the world for giving it one last go. I hope the twins do well this year. Good luck twins! This is coming from a rangers fan btw I really do wish the best for you twins fans you guys have a bright future with Ben reveire out there. He’s a special player
I don’t understand this.. NOT hitting up Morneau here, but concussion. I understand symtpms can last.. But people have come back from it seems worse..
Tony “C” hit in the face by a mid 90’s FB, suffered blurry vision the rest of his career and missed a full season even recovering after 1 side of his face was crushed.. this was 1967.. he had a couple of productive seasons even after the damage.. Rick Rhoden.. wore a brace as a youngster on his right leg (push off leg) due to a severe bone disease and still won 151 games.
Ryan Westmoreland (former red Sox top prospect) 2 years ago had Cavernous malformation in his brain.. it was life threatening.. He had to learn how to use basic motor skills again, yet is back doing baseball activities.
Once again.. I am not dicing on Morneau here.. it must be dizziness and migraines that are causing him to think of retirement from the concussion? i just wish he would look over some past players who overcame adversity before he would call it quits.
You have no clue what he is going through. And you attack him? The players you mentioned had treatments for their injuries and diseases. The problem with concussions is we simply dont know enough about them. Also he was a jockey player as a kid and in highschool and college k
Believe. And a pretty good one. So he more than likely had
Previous concussion. Hits to the brain build up and start to break down the most important organ in the body. He may he thinking of retirement because why suffer more when you don’t need to. Why risk further injury or even death when he already has enough money.
“You have no clue what he is going through. And you attack him?”
Show me **1** place in that 1 post where I attacked him..
I was wondering more of what the LT effects of concussions were and you answered them.. All I did was post a very few serious injuries/diseases players have had and continued.
Plenty of players don’t recover from concussions, and this isn’t the first one Morneau’s had in his MLB career, let alone his life. He’s had another one in the Majors and grew up playing hockey in Canada.
Corey Koskie retired from concussion symptoms, and they’ve ruined and/or seriously jeopardized the careers of several other players. Look at Brian Roberts. He still won’t be ready to play.
Concussions can be incredibly serious.
Oh yeah.. i remember now reading that he had played hockey and had suffered one before in that sport..
Thx..
I have first hand witnessed someone lose their memory for an entire year after a concussion.
I have also witnessed someone lose their short term memory and be unable to see sunlight after suffering a concussion. Like sunglasses every day. Also he could not be on his feet too much.
You are way off base on this one: “i just wish he would look over some past players who overcame adversity before he would call it quits.”
I was not aware concussions were that bad and why I asked.. Honestly even though have been a fan for sooo long. yes.. I knew roberts had been out for awhile, but was not sure what else may have beengoing on there also, I knew he had that PED issue (not trying to drag that into here) and thought he may have been having something going on there as well.
It was an honest question, nothing more and it was answered, but thanks again 🙂
Oh for sure, and thats how I treated my response. You are an intelligent and valuable poster on these boards, so there was no chance I would take it as anything but an honest question.
Google is your friend, use it.
Google is your friend, use it.
Westmoreland will never play in MLB unfortunately, and Tony C’s career was shortened by 10 years. It’s not a question of playing through pain or adversity, it’s a question of being effective when you play, and not causing more harm to your body that may shorten it. Tony C died very young BTW, and nobody knows how Westmoreland makes out in this regard.
He has 28 million coming to him I assume if he retires due to medical reasons as a result of his injury, he gets paid (by the Twins or their insurance company).
Sad news. He might not play baseball anymore and that’s a “waste” of talent there. But he wants to be able to wake up healthy every morning, play with his kids, work out here and there, concentrate on his after-career and be a full-time father. If you were told that at age 33, you will no longer be able to do that, will you play one more year of baseball? Spending hours in dark rooms because the sun gives you headache, because standing still gives you heartache, even if you have millions in the bank, I personnaly don’t think it’s worth it.
Morneau was one of the last guys to arrive at spring training this year. Not a good sign for Morneau and the Twins.
That’s too bad…I like Morneau. Hope he gets better.
In 2006, (his MVP year- 140 OPS+) he made $385,000. So yes, I would say that he earned the money in the guaranteed contract that he signed after that season.
Has Morneau or the Twins said if he can’t play because of concern for future concussions, or is it because of concussion symptoms? If the latter, do we know what those are? Can he not see the ball because of dizziness or blurred vision, or like Exposfan above says, does he get heartache when he stands up(?), or is he afflicted with migranes or other debilitating pain?
I hope he can recover and come back to the game…he’s still pretty young.
Not a Twins fan, but hate to see a player potentially go out this way. Especially one with so much skill.
If you would look up class in a dictionary you might find his picture. A great person who that loved to help out in the community. He also tried has best and played through alot of problems, unlike the $23 million dollar teammate of his he missed like 4 games in a row last season with a sore neck. It’s always the good guys that get their careers cut short due to injury.
This guy was a great player. Its a shame that his career might end so abruptly right in the prime of his career. Maybe he will make a comeback with the A’s or something
It’s really sad, but he’s right – one more collision with a catcher or baseball to the head and it will end his career most likely.