Baseball brings about unfortunate and strange injuries, but 2006 brought one of the more unique ones, when Detroit Tigers pitcher Joel Zumaya hurt himself playing Guitar Hero.
Zumaya, known for throwing 100+ mph fastballs, was a breakout star in the Tigers' bullpen during their postseason run that year. But when he began experiencing unexplained wrist and forearm pain, the culprit turned out to be that game, which Zumaya had been playing obsessively.
The repetitive strumming motion aggravated his pitching arm, forcing him to miss ALCS games. Once he quit the game, the pain subsided, and he returned to the mound just in time for the World Series. The rest coming to the aid of Zumaya, though the rest was not great for the Tigers who were sluggish in the World Series.
Zumaya declined in the years after his rookie season, in a career that lasted until 2010. But no World Series glory is better than beating “Through The Fire And The Flames” on expert.
What’s happening
Rockies win game! Now 10-50.
Kerry Carpenter hits 3 home runs as Tigers rout White Sox.
Texas Tech ends Oklahoma’s dreams of a 5-peat at Women’s College World Series.
Mike Trout hits 454 ft. home run in return.
Murray State becomes 10th 4 seed to make super regional.
This Day In Sports History
1851: The 1st baseball uniforms consisting of straw hats, a white shirt and long blue trousers are worn by the New York Knickerbockers.
1932: Lou Gehrig becomes first player to hit 4 home runs in a row.
1937: Josh Gibson hits 580 foot home run at Yankee Stadium.
1980: New York Mets draft Daryl Strawberry 1st overall.
1995: Pedro Martinez has perfect game broken up in 10th inning against the Padres.
2018: Steph Curry sets finals record with 9 three pointers in game 2 of the NBA Finals against Cleveland.
Random Stat Of The Day
Pete Rose is the all time hit king, and also the hit king of June. He recorded 629 hits in the month of June over 629 games followed by Ty Cobb in just 533 games. And funny enough the top 4 in history in Rose, Cobb, Aaron, and Musial are the top 4 for hits in June. The all star push where the greats are made.