In conversation with Shaun Marcum recently, the subject of Aaron Hill arose. Marcum, who’d spent time with Hill during his rehabilitation in Florida, said he doubted the second baseman would play again this year.
Hill collided with David Eckstein during a blow-out victory in Oakland on May 29th, and hasn’t played since. According to Marcum, Hill is still experiencing dizzy spells.
And that’s frightening.
Hill is a talented young player with a multi-million dollar contract extension, a shiny new wedding ring, and a bright future. One hopes that future is playing baseball, though recent retirements raise a red flag.
Take Corey Koskie: The Brewer third baseman back-tracked on a pop-up July 5, 2006, fell awkwardly, suffered a concussion, and hasn’t played since. Or Mike Matheny, a Gold Glove catcher for the San Francisco Giants, who was forced to walk away after a series of foul balls off the mask.
Blue Jays’ general manager J.P. Ricciardi knows it’s impossible to predict Hill’s return date, and admits the window of necessity is closing quickly. Obviously concerned, Ricciardi added he hopes Hill isn’t facing a “Koskie situation.”
Amen to that.
