Career advice for Ben Sheets
July 9th, 2009 | by adamburnett |
Jayson Stark of ESPN.com has reported that free agent pitcher Ben Sheets will not be able to physically pitch in the big leagues this season due to his right elbow injury. Stark noted that Jason Jennings underwent the same flexor tendon surgery in August of 2007 and wasn’t able to return for a year and a half. Sheets’ procedure was performed in February. Sheets will turn 31 later this month and has won double digit games in 7 of his 8 seasons. Being away from Ben Sheets injury drama this season has been a good thing for the Brewers. The team desperately needs to acquire more starting pitching before the trade deadline, but is better off without the hard throwing right hander.
Sheets is an exciting pitcher to watch when he’s got his “A” game. I vividly remember the 18 strikeout performance on May 16th, 2004 against the Atlanta Braves at Miller Park. His pitch repertoire to set up and blow away hitters was phenomenal. I loved sitting in the press box for Sheets’ starts, because he’d get the ball and throw it. Sheets didn’t putz around on the mound putting his fielders to sleep, like Doug Davis or the human rain delay Claudio Vargas. Sheets was an ace with the ability to keep his team in the game with less than his best stuff.
Throwing a baseball overhand is a very unnatural motion and it takes a toll on the body. The game is littered with talented pitchers throughout history that have had their careers cut short by injuries. Ben Sheets is the Brewer fans version of Kerry Wood or Mark Prior. Sheets could have his own special edition of the board game operation with the amount of injuries suffered during his major league career. Bulging discs, inner ear infection, shoulder, hamstring, elbow, and finger injuries have all plagued the 4-time all star during his major league career. I don’t blame Sheets for all the injuries, for whatever the reason his body just hasn’t been able to handle the rigors of a big league season.
With an 86-83 record and a 3.72 ERA in 221 career starts Sheets has some value. However if I’m running a team, this is not a guy I’m spending any money on to put into my starting rotation. I don’t believe Sheets is washed up, he just may need to come back to the game in a different capacity. I view Ben Sheets as a relief pitcher and next season I’d give him an incentive laden opportunity to shine in my bullpen. I think Sheets would be best suited to make the career transition like Jason Isringhausen and Kerry Wood. John Smoltz was also moved to the pen to save the wear and tear on his body. Smoltz had three terrific seasons in the bullpen and went back to being a starting pitcher. Sheets has the fearlessness on the mound and the stuff to shine as closer. I hope Sheets is able to rehab his elbow and come back for the 2010 season.
Tags: Ben Sheets, Brewers
By Adam on Jul 24, 2009
That brilliant 18 K game he had was in atlanta if I remember correctly. It was a day game if I’m not mistaken, I remember listening to it while at work. It is still one of my favorite memories of the 21st century as a brewer fan. I’ve always been a sheets backer, and wish him luck in the future. You can’t help but feel bad for the guy. All that he gave for this city should not be forgotten. I can only imagine how much more credit he would’ve gotten had the brewers been any good when he was young, racking up strikeouts and innings like a true workhorse, but all for not since the brewers were horrible then.