Encarnacion struck by foul ball in on-deck circle
By R.B. FALLSTROM, AP Sports Writer
September 1, 2007
Manager Tony La Russa said the team was awaiting a medical report. The clubhouse was quiet even after a come-from-behind 8-5 victory keyed by Rick Ankiel's first career grand slam.
"The ball hit him square in the eye," La Russa said. "I've seen guys smoked in the dome but not dead center. We've got our fingers crossed and nobody's celebrating, that's for sure."
Teammate Jim Edmonds was shaken after the incident. He helped assist Encarnacion to the clubhouse and noticed no improvement during that time.
"It's about as bad as it gets as far as what you can see on a baseball field," Edmonds said. "I think it's everybody's biggest fear.That's why there's so many arguments and fights, over balls being thrown up and in. It's scary."
s elated as the Cardinals were by Rick Ankiel's game-saving grand slam, their thoughts remained fixed on a teammate in pain because of an incident earlier in that inning.
"Fingers crossed," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "We won a nice game and there isn't anybody celebrating. We're all concerned."
Helped off the field by teammates, Encarnacion was conscious when he left the ballpark for a local hospital. He left a team shaken and, less importantly, trailing.
The injury to Encarnacion came as he was warming up to be a pinch-hitter. Aaron Miles lashed at an outside pitch and sent a line drive directly at Encarnacion. The ball hit Encarnacion flush in the left eye and the right fielder collapsed.
I want to preface this by saying this is unofficial, and unconfirmed. But I know a lot of folks are concerned and anxious to know what's going on with Juan Encarnacion. What I'm hearing is, it's looking like some significant damage to his orbital bone. It's reportedly cracked, fractured, etc. If so, he'll need surgery and he's done for the year. I know the next question is: what about his eye? His vision? I have no idea. I have nothing on that. As for how this may affect him beyond this year, again, I have no idea.
To repeat: this is informed speculation on my part. Nothing official. Details will be divulged by the team later.
Encarnacion Out For Season; Eye Seriously Injured
By Derrick Goold
09/01/2007 11:54 am
Cardinals outfielder Juan Encarnacion will miss the remainder of the season with multiple fractures of his left eye socket and a serious injury to his left eye, the team announced Saturday morning. Encarnacion’s long-term prognosis is undetermined as remains in a local hospital receiving care, but the injuries could be classified as career-threatening.
Encarnacion was struck in the eye by a foul ball during the sixth inning of Friday’s victory against the Cincinnati Reds. He was standing in the on-deck circle preparing to pinch hit when a line drive hit him flush in the face. Encarnacion collapsed instantly and stayed on the ground for several minutes, unmoving. Team trainers, manager Tony La Russa and center fielder Jim Edmonds rushed to his side.
The Cardinals right fielder left the field with help from teammates and was taken immediately to a local hospital for exams.
The club’s medical officials announced Saturday morning that Encarnacion’s eye socket was fractured several times and that the eye itself sustained “a serious” injury. A team official said he will meet with a specialist and continue undergoing treatment, though he will not play again this season.
The offical release from the club sets future as “undetermined”.
Goold updated his blog.. not much different stuff but including some quotes from Edmonds and stuff like that from after the game last night..
Quote:
It is not known how long Encarnacion will remain in the hospital receiving treatment and undergoing regular evaluations of his condition.
The club did not announce a corresponding roster move as the major-league roster expands beyond the 25-man boundary today, Sept. 1. Skip Schumaker, a lefthanded hitting outfielder, was already on his way to St. Louis and scheduled for a promotion this afternoon. The Cardinals could move Encarnacion to the 60-day disabled list and free up a spot on the 40-man roster for an additional outfielder to be added and brought up to the major-league level.
Encarnacion struck by foul ball in on-deck circle
Associated Press
Updated: September 1, 2007, 6:06 PM ET
Quote:
"This is a serious hit, career-threatening," manager Tony La Russa said Saturday. "The other ones are not to be diminished, like Carpenter's arm, but they're not in the same category. It's like Josh."
"We've been figuring a way to do it all year long," Albert Pujols said in a subdued clubhouse. "Nothing surprises us and we keep battling the way we've battled all year long. That's the way it goes."
Albert Pujols kept Encarnacion company at the hospital until 3 a.m. Saturday and visited again before leaving for the ballpark for a night game against the Reds. Aaron Miles, Joel Pineiro and Yadier Molina also spent several hours with their fallen teammate.
"Today he was in better spirits," Pujols said. "I didn't try to talk too much about the injury, I was making sure he wasn't in pain. They're taking care of him pretty good."
OMG, sorry I'm late posting in this particular thread. I'm so sorry to hear about Juan. I just pray that the injury to his eye is not career ending. If you guys have any specifics in terms of his actual eye, not the socket because I know that can heal without any major issues, let me know. I really feel bad for the kid.
__________________ Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.
Pujols, Molina and Piniero visited him in the hospital last night...
Albert stayed with Juan until 3 a.m. until Juan told him to go home and get some sleep and get ready to play. "He was in pretty good spirits," Pujols said. "He was making jokes." Pujols wanted to be there to make sure that the staff provided what Juan E needed, Albert was concerned that the language barrier would be a hindrance; just wanted to be able to translate if he had to. Albert visited Juan again today.
* Aaron Miles visited Juan E today... Miles didn't do anything wrong, but on a personal level, he feels bad that his foul ball did the damage.
* Juan E wanted to know if Miles got a hit to start the rally last nite.... (Miles didn't). And Miles said Juan E gave him good-natured teasing about that, but flashed the thumbs up when hearing that the Cardinals won.
--B
2nd Post by Bernie:
Quote:
I don't know where he's at...
It could be two weeks until surgery is performed; the bruising and the swelling have to go down -- and he's cut up pretty bad....I'm told you can actually make out the outline of the baseball where it hit him.
He's in trouble .... if there's optic nerve damage, which I'm hearing is the case, going to have serious vision problems.
Serious eye injury could end Encarnacion's career
By Derrick Goold
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
09/02/2007
Cardinals outfielder Juan Encarnacion’s career is in jeopardy because of a severe, season-ending eye injury suffered when a foul ball struck him Friday night at Busch Stadium.
Encarnacion has multiple fractures in his eye socket and a "serious" injury to his left eye, the team announced Saturday. The extent of the damage to his left eye will not be known for at least several days as the swelling calms. One team source acknowledged that Encarnacion’s sight in the left eye is threatened and said the outlook "for the return of his vision is extremely guarded at this point."
A team official said Encarnacion’s orbital bone "exploded" and that there was significant harm to the eye itself. The concern is that Encarnacion’s optic nerve was damaged by the trauma.
Serious eye injury could end Encarnacion's career
