The Great Gazoo
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Mar 11, 2010 
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Joe Girardi wouldn’t order Francisco Cervelli to wear the extra-padded helmet that David Wright made famous, but after hearing a pretty strong suggestion from his manager Cervelli will give the plus-sized headgear a try. With two concussions in the past few months and an estimated 10 head injuries in his life, Cervelli knows he can’t afford to take any chances.
“It’s not about how I look,” Cervelli said. “I’ve got to take care. If it’s for my health, I’ve got to do it.”
That doesn’t mean he likes it. Cervelli admitted he looked in the mirror plenty of times after receiving his new helmet – he originally thought it was a joke when he was called to the trainer’s room to pick it up – and when asked what he thought of the look, Cervelli shrugged. “It’s ugly,” he said.
Still, he’s good-natured about it. Jorge Posada was the first person to call him Gazoo — “What a guy,” Cervelli said, laughing — and Cervelli knows he’ll get plenty of digs from his teammates. As long as he’s playing in the majors, he’ll deal with it. “I just want to be here,” he said. “I can handle it if I’m here.”
(For what it’s worth, I felt the helmet – it’s definitely heavier, but not as much as you might think. The biggest obstacle, I would think, is just that it may throw off the balanced feel of a hitter’s head as he looks out at the pitcher. After a few weeks, I’d imagine that unusual sensation would fade. Cervelli says he won’t wear the helmet behind the plate or on the bases – only at-bat.)
UPDATE, 5:59 p.m.: It just started pouring here at The Boss. I’ll keep you updated on the plan for later as soon as we hear anything.
Please play this game…I haven’t gotten to watch any live ones yet!
Kids are really deprived when it comes to cartoons these days. That’s funny Sam.
Cancel it. don’t want anyone to get hurt.
Um, Cervelli shouldn’t be playing. It’s ridiculous that they held him out of winter league, but are rushing him back. Not only are they rushing him back here, but they are sending him out on an apparently long bus trip AND they aren’t ordering him to wear that helmet. I almost never disagree with how the Yankees handle things, but they couldn’t possibly be handling this situation any worse than they are.
i AM A BIT CONFUSED (sorry for caps). Isnt the likelihood of getting a concussion just as equal behind the plate (ie hit by back swing of bat) as it is hitting at the plate. Why not wear the helmet catching and hitting (just not on base)??
I don’t want them to play this game – it doesn’t make any sense.
LOL I’m looking forward to seeing Cervelli as Gazoo.
Are we playing tonight
Most catchers wear helmets while catching.
i know from personal experience how serious brain injury can be…
but i think the kazoo helmet was the funniest thing i saw in baseball last year. its funny how so many people my age immediatly though of the great kazoo when they saw wright wearing that helmet…..i know im gonna bust up everytime i see franco wear it….
those of us who grew up with fred and barney, know that kazoo was where the flintstones ‘jumped the shark’ years before the fonz did…
I think the phrase “jumped the shark” has jumped the shark
Cartoonwise, I’m more of a Wil-E coyote RR type of guy.
Betsy,
Are you a medical professional?
MTU,
Are you a super genious like Wil-E
Bohdi-
Post an e-mail adress where I can reach you and I will send you some pictures of the G-dZone.
Blake-
“Are you a super genious like Wil-E”
Knowing me a little wouldn’t you think I’m the one who gets crushed by the rock instead.
MTU,
jjlearsfool@gmail.com
Looking forward
.
New thread
Game thread up