Markakis leaning toward surgery to repair bulging disc in neck

[Can_of_corn]

I hope so for the sake of his health. Nothing matters more than the guy being able to walk and do things with his wife and kid. Baseball comes second in my book.

I think this episode teaches us that no matter how much "inside" information we believe we're getting that there's always some stuff so deeply concealed about the clubhouse that we can never really be sure we know the truth.

I don't get why he didn't do it in the past if the healing process only takes 12 weeks? That's 3/4ths of an offseason and rehab during Spring Training. Why does he do it now as opposed to the last two years? Obviously this has been a problem for a while. Seems strange to me.

MSK

Why didn't Jake get his bone spurs shaved down the first time they bothered him? Has Nick ever gotten his Cyst taken care of?

Some guys don't like to get cut.

[Dipper9]

After reading Jonesie's comments after 24 hours and seeing not much bashing of the Orioles, maybe, just maybe, his comment "You don't want my opinion" was more based on anger at Nick then at the Orioles?

[webbrick2010]

I posted a year ago that Nick's neck injury could explode into something serious at any time, and I posted the same thing when the offseason contract negotiations began

Discs do not improve with age... and there is no surgical "fix" either. Whatever they are doing is just a bandaid to hopefully improve his symptoms.

And he waits to after he gets a big deal and puts the start of next season in jeopardy.

Real stand up guy

I'm still waiting for that home town discount?

Well just like Johnson & Balfour we dodged another bullet

Sorry Atlanta fans

[Can_of_corn]

Actually, Nick said he was on the Chris Davis weight training program last offseason.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/68648032/orioles-right-fielder-nick-markakis-stronger-motivated-heading-into-2014

The focus is on core strength and balance, two key components of an offseason like Markakis has never had before, one that had him pounding the pavement of his driveway with teammate Ryan Flaherty for workouts just two weeks after the Orioles' season had ended and weighing in 16 pounds heavier this spring.

The emphasis was on adding strength and speed, with Olympic lifts and a lot of the same programming Markakis -- like many other Orioles -- adopted under vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson's fitness overhaul.

[weams]

I hope so for the sake of his health. Nothing matters more than the guy being able to walk and do things with his wife and kid. Baseball comes second in my book.

I think this episode teaches us that no matter how much "inside" information we believe we're getting that there's always some stuff so deeply concealed about the clubhouse that we can never really be sure we know the truth.

I don't get why he didn't do it in the past if the healing process only takes 12 weeks? That's 3/4ths of an offseason and rehab during Spring Training. Why does he do it now as opposed to the last two years? Obviously this has been a problem for a while. Seems strange to me.

MSK

It was his free agent season. He needed to put up good numbers for a change.

[weams]

In fairness, this isn't true. Atlanta knew the MRI results and the potential for surgery before closing the deal.

I am certain Atlanta did there due diligence. As did the Orioles. There was an offer from the Orioles. Just like there was for Balfour. It's not like the Orioles did not want him.

[Il BuonO]

What bothers me is that they were still prepared to give him a four year deal having concerns about his health. Thank goodness for the Braves.

[webbrick2010]

True,

I really don't understand there decision

I guess they think the surgery is going to fix something and he is going to regain his power stroke.

My experience with disc issues is that any treatment is a crap shoot and not likely to have any long lasting benefit.

Nobody knows but the doctors how bad Nick is, but I keep remembering his neck spontaneously getting stiff (on a plane ride) and keeping him from playing for a month

I didn't want him for 4 years... I'm glad he is Atlanta's problem

[weams]

Okay. It's probably all part of the same thing but this is the quote I remembered.

Is that what made his neck bulge?

[Austin]

In Nick's defense, he NEVER did social media. At all. Come on here. Plus he probably wanted to break the news that he can play first.

He doesn't have to do it through social media, most of the time a guy takes out an ad in the local paper. I'm not up in arms about it and I will always love Nick either way, just saying I kind of expected something like that.

[Can_of_corn]

Okay. It's probably all part of the same thing but this is the quote I remembered.

Could be. I was just showing you what I remembered.

[Can_of_corn]

He doesn't have to do it through social media, most of the time a guy takes out an ad in the local paper. I'm not up in arms about it and I will always love Nick either way, just saying I kind of expected something like that.

I guess he figured since Roberts didn't bother to do it...

[Dipper9]

I guess he figured since Roberts didn't bother to do it...

I have been referred to as a "fanboy" at times when it came to BRob. I didn't at the time understand where Tony was coming from, but now after seeing the same treatment from Kakes to the Orioles, I see that this "sport" is nothing but a business, and even our most adored "fan favorites" are just doing a job and are most interested in their family and achieving as much money as they can rather than appeasing the die hard fans who live and die by the uniform we root for.

As I get older, I am quickly realizing the days of beloved players is for the most part gone, and now I root for the Orioles uniform, whomever may be wearing it, and don't get too attached to any players anymore.

I liked Nick while he was here, but contrary to most of you, I don't necessarily want to see him achieve greatness after leaving. I'd be just as happy watching him struggle and validating why we didn't sign him for every last penny he tried to squeeze out of Duke and the Orioles.

And to Tony, I'll simply say, as usual, you were right about these guys. I've been blinded in the past by my adoration of certain players, and yes, I probably was a fanboy, but no more. To quote a dying Darth Vader..."You were right. Tell your sister, you were right!"

[AlbionHero]

I guess he figured since Roberts didn't bother to do it...

After Ed Reed did it, I pretty much expect it from these long time Baltimore fan favorites leaving. It also rubs me the wrong way to not even see them say anything.

[weams]

I have been referred to as a "fanboy" at times when it came to BRob. I didn't at the time understand where Tony was coming from, but now after seeing the same treatment from Kakes to the Orioles, I see that this "sport" is nothing but a business, and even our most adored "fan favorites" are just doing a job and are most interested in their family and achieving as much money as they can rather than appeasing the die hard fans who live and die by the uniform we root for.

As I get older, I am quickly realizing the days of beloved players is for the most part gone, and now I root for the Orioles uniform, whomever may be wearing it, and don't get too attached to any players anymore.

I liked Nick while he was here, but contrary to most of you, I don't necessarily want to see him achieve greatness after leaving. I'd be just as happy watching him struggle and validating why we didn't sign him for every last penny he tried to squeeze out of Duke and the Orioles.

And to Tony, I'll simply say, as usual, you were right about these guys. I've been blinded in the past by my adoration of certain players, and yes, I probably was a fanboy, but no more. To quote a dying Darth Vader..."You were right. Tell your sister, you were right!"

Brooks hugs my Dad when he sees him. Boog always waved to my Mom to come over and say hello.