Thursday, September 03, 2009
DAVID, WEAR THE GODDAMN HELMET.
I can’t pretend I know what it’s like to be a Major League ballplayer in a Major League clubhouse, to understand the nuances of the culture and the workings of the social mores. I don’t know what it’s like to be a guy, plain and simple. I get that there’s this whole layered subculture thing going on. I really do.
BUT OMFG JUST WEAR THE GODDAMN HELMET DAVID. JUST WEAR IT. THIS IS YOUR HEAD, YOUR BRAIN, THIS IS NOT ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU CARE IF SOMEONE TEASES YOU. YOU ARE DAVID F’ING WRIGHT. YOU ARE THE FACE OF THE NEW YORK METS. YOU *ARE* THE GODDAMN FRANCHISE. YOU LEAD A CHARMED LIFE. YOU ARE GOOD-LOOKING, TALENTED, AND RICHER THAN CROESUS. YOU COULD BUY AND SELL JUST ABOUT ANYONE WHO IS GOING TO BE IDIOTIC ENOUGH TO MAKE FUN OF YOU FOR WEARING THAT HELMET. WHAT THE HELL COULD YOU POSSIBLY CARE WHAT ANYONE SAYS ABOUT YOU WEARING IT? PLEASE HAVE ENOUGH SELF-ESTEEM TO JUST WEAR IT AND SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THE THOUSANDS OF KIDS WHO LOOK UP TO YOU (so they can’t try the “But David Wright wouldn’t wear HIS helmet, Mom” thing) AND FOR OTHER YOUNGER BASEBALL PLAYERS WHO MIGHT WANT TO WEAR IT BUT DON’T HAVE ENOUGH CRED TO NOT GET RAZZED IN THE CLUBHOUSE AND FOR THE GRIZZLED VETERANS WHO ALSO MIGHT WANT TO WEAR IT AND ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR IMAGE. WEAR IT FOR EVERY METS FAN WHO SPROUTED GRAY HAIR WHEN YOU HIT THE GROUND THAT DAY. WEAR IT FOR YOUR MOM. WEAR IT FOR YOUR BROTHERS.
But most of all, wear it for you.
xoxo,
me.
Posted by Caryn at 07:42 PM
You could tell he was uncomfortable in the helmet. And the fact he tried the double flapped helmet shows he didn’t ditch for the looks. David said he stopped wearing it because it was uncomfortable and a distraction while batting. If David can’t focus on the 90+ MPH pitches coming while wearing the big helmet, I don’t want him wearing it.
seriously…especially about the kids & self-esteem & the “gray-haired fans” (still got some from when Clemens beamed Piazza)...there is just no consistency at all with this team—even with this helmet-thing. Everything’s just a novelty. Just swap it out for a lighter helmet at first & get used to it at the plate. And now’s the time to get used to it since they’re not in contention. I was thinking at least one long-term, consistent positive was going to come out of this season…
Do I actually, at this late date, have to invoke Carl May and Pete Reiser and Herb Score and the guy who got concussed at the Giants game this year?
Yanno, Mr. Wright gets paid serious money because Mr. Wright’s employers have serious money. Serious money means that a custom solution can be implemented. Found, even. If the standard helmet is uncomfortable, it’s time for a non-standard helmet.
Compromising player safety is Not. An. Option.
I actually started crying when I saw him hit the ground. I know I’m a big crybaby, because even thinking about it, tears are coming to my eyes again right now, and I’m also a bit annoyed that he stopped wearing it - due to discomfort/the helmet sliding off during play - but seriously for the love of all baseball, set the proper example and protect your head.
You could tell he was uncomfortable in the helmet. And the fact he tried the double flapped helmet shows he didn’t ditch for the looks. David said he stopped wearing it because it was uncomfortable and a distraction while batting. If David can’t focus on the 90+ MPH pitches coming while wearing the big helmet, I don’t want him wearing it.