Hoop screams
If you're wondering where I've been the past 18 hours or so -- and I promise I'll catch up with the posts as soon as possible -- I can only tell you that my basketball career has ended badly. Kobe and Lebron will have to carry the sport from here on out.
Somebody forgot to tell me that there comes a time when you have to put aside childish things...and leave the towering 360 jams to the next generation. So, this past week, I got that memo from a little thing called gravity, which is not my favorite of nature's physical laws. My right Achilles tendon apparently gave up the ghost while I was pulling down a rebound and I will be more of a spectator than normal over the next couple of months.
It's a particularly nasty thing for an athlete or anyone who works on foot, but I'm going to count my blessings. First, because this is the first time in my life I've ever been on crutches (which means I'm a pretty lucky middle-aged guy) and, second, because it's really not a particularly debilitating injury for a columnist/blogger. In short, you're not getting rid of me that easy. I just needed some time for the great sports medicine people over at Johns Hopkins to start me on the road to recovery.
Personal column plug: By the way, I still managed to get my "News Item" column done for tomorrow's print edition. If you can't wait for the paperboy to hit you in the back of the head with it, you can read it here now. If you want, you can also tune into my radio show on WBAL (1090 AM) at six or go to WBAL.com and click on the "Listen Live" icon.
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Comments
Sorry Pete:) The basketball world will miss you. Good luck on the crutches, stay out of places they just mopped, I can tell you that much!
Posted by: cb coach | July 9, 2009 2:17 PM
Hope its just a strain and not a complete tear. We can fit you with a walker if those crutches don't cut it.
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Pete's reply: No, it's the real deal, and my wife already dropped the walker line on me.
Posted by: punk flamingo | July 9, 2009 2:25 PM
Get well soon Peter!
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Pete's reply: Thanks very much.
Posted by: Eddie P | July 9, 2009 2:26 PM
i hope Nike confiscated the video.
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Pete's reply: Yes, as a matter of fact, it did.
Posted by: Dave | July 9, 2009 2:31 PM
I guess you injured it when you dunked on LeBron the other day?
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Pete's reply: Well, I didn't want to brag....
Posted by: Michael S | July 9, 2009 2:48 PM
so that was YOU I saw dunking on King James....no wonder Nike pulled the film....seriously, hope your recovery is swift, so glad it won't affect the blog cuz we need all this good info you keep feeding us!!
Posted by: dave taylor | July 9, 2009 3:06 PM
Get well soon!
Posted by: Chuck in Hawaii | July 9, 2009 3:49 PM
At least it wasn't your groin!!
Posted by: shoreman | July 9, 2009 3:52 PM
Toughest blogger out right now. Get well, every time I hear of these injury I cringe.
Posted by: Joe | July 9, 2009 3:58 PM
I guess I'll have to start reading that "other" ex-Sun blogger over at MASN. :)
You are one of the best out there, Pete! I'm glad it was not too serious.
Posted by: JerryG | July 9, 2009 4:15 PM
Pete,
Get well soon!
Will it require minor surgery?
Hopefully you will be
"back up and running" very soon.
Posted by: Bill Bocchino | July 9, 2009 4:20 PM
Pete, Sorry about your injury. Fittingily, it was sports related.
The dilemma: Now that you're on the DL, who do they call up?
Posted by: Ken Francis | July 9, 2009 4:25 PM
Peter,
I hope your recovery goes well, and while I appreciate all your hard work to keep us informed, make sure that you don't overdo it. Take care of yourself and get the rest you need so that you can heal. God bless you.
Posted by: Allen Reed | July 9, 2009 4:27 PM
Sounds painfull, but funny at the same time. I'll be thinking about you everytime I go up for a rebound. Get well soon.
Peace From The Middle East!
Posted by: Kevin In Iraq | July 9, 2009 4:36 PM
I sympathise Pete, gravity has been my mortal enemy for years. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Posted by: Roy | July 9, 2009 4:39 PM
Take the rehab seriously, Pete. That's the key to recovery, especially for guys whose hair is turning white. Speaking of recovery, what is the word on Guthrie's mysterious premature departure the other night?
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Pete's reply: Sounds like the flu or vertigo. He was experiencing dizziness.
Posted by: rockville jake | July 9, 2009 4:52 PM
Pete,
I remember some of those days when you and I (and others) went against the rest of the over 40's at the rec center in Annapolis. Too bad we didn't get a chance to reminisce about that at the Safeway in Severna Park.
Time to stretch before you play. Rest it and get well soon.
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Pete's reply: Thanks Craig. Believe it or not, I stretched my Achilles pretty well before playing. I'm just a wreck.
Posted by: Craig Miller | July 9, 2009 5:13 PM
Get Well Soon , Pete !
Maybe Lord intended you to be Sportswriter instead ?
Welcome Back =)
Posted by: Allan | July 9, 2009 5:14 PM
Pete,
Do you have to have reconstructive surgery? I hope not. Speaking from personal experience, your therapy will be key. Go at that with as much intensity as you would a fresh crab cake! Good luck
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Pete's reply: It appears so, but the final decision on that comes Monday. And, yes, I've been told it's all about the rehab.
Posted by: Larry | July 9, 2009 5:52 PM
Pretty good article on Earl Weaver in this week's Sports Illustrated:
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1157671/1/index.htm
Posted by: BobbyWoontz | July 9, 2009 6:03 PM
Pete,
Sorry to hear that. Get well soon!
Posted by: Rob | July 9, 2009 6:10 PM
Pete - I don't know if Viagra is considered a PED in the sporting sense , but you know those things make you more susceptible to injury don't you ?
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Pete's reply: Frankly, I was way more concerned about the Stanozolol.
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | July 9, 2009 8:43 PM
"They shoot horses don't they?"
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Pete's reply: I'll have to ask Gig Young.
Posted by: Rusty | July 9, 2009 9:38 PM
Pete--The good news is you still have a healthy Hector and Ajax.
You've been a gamer with this injury--are the pain killers that good? When you first mentioned it, I was hoping you were enjoying with us some hyperbole. Sorry you're on crutches and dealing with this.
Feel better, Buddy.
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Pete's reply: Not using anything at the moment. Doesn't hurt that much, just immobile. Find out in a few days whether I'm getting a zipper.
Posted by: Barry | July 9, 2009 10:10 PM
Best of luck with your recovery. Be careful not to let your limited mobility lead to weight gain!
Posted by: Al East | July 10, 2009 11:35 AM
Pete- re: your comment to me -Say it ain't so !!
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | July 10, 2009 5:28 PM