08.15: Adding Injury to Insult - Kelly Tears ACL

[agrudez]

Yet another blow to the limping Omaha squad was levied just days ago, as all-star C and 3-hole hitter Tobias Kelly tore his ACL sliding into 2nd on a routine 2B in the bottom of the 3rd against Baltimore on June 17th.

"It was weird. It wasn't a bang bang play or anything... I probably didn't even need to slide. While I was down it didn't even hurt bad, but when I tried to get up my knee just gave out and I almost fell back down - that is when I knew something was wrong."

The team training staff was immediate in their response when they saw Kelly stumble and Barnstormer nation held their breath as the most important piece of their puzzle was helped off the field with a limp.

"The entire time I was being examined I could see on their faces how bad it was. I kept saying, 'It doesn't hurt, let me get back out there', but none of them would respond, let alone look me in the eye."

With a .846 OPS on the year and a pace of near 5 WAR for the season, Kelly was one of the few bright spots during an otherwise miserable season for Omaha.

"I just want to apologize to my teammates... it just feels like I am letting them down now."

Team doctors originally feared the worst, that the entire 'terrible triad' may have been compromised; however, mercifully, second opinions have resulted in a confirmation that it was only Kelly's ACL - a significantly much easier injury to recover from.

“Marty [Martinez] had a similar injury in his elbow last year and I know how hard it was for him to get back to where he is today, but, if there is any silver lining to this at all, at least I’m lucky that it happened in June rather than August. The doctors are saying that with a quick surgery and intense rehab I could be back to a strength training program well before ST and that is definitely what I am going to hang my hat on right now – getting back to it as soon as possible to get ready for next season.”

And Barnstormer fans across Nebraska know that if anyone can get back it will be Kelly – one of the hardest working players in the game today.

[trmmilwwi]

Injuries... they suck big time. Hope he is able to fully rebound. Maybe this allows you to move up a spot or 2 in the draft;) Trying to be an optimist..

[felipe]

I wish I had some injuries to blame my season on...

[agrudez]

My season was done long before this, haha.

You better watch out California/Louisville - I'm comin' for ya!

[recte44]

That's what you get for not trading him. Muhahahaha!

[nerfHerder]

Dang, he was having a nice year too. Seems like there are a lot of injuries this year.

[agrudez]

That's what you get for not trading him. Muhahahaha!

Screenshotted. Expect a call from my lawyer soon.

[recte44]

Haha!

[agrudez]

Wow... I just realized that this ACL tear occured on his 29th birthday... I bet that ruined the party.