Hearing the news that Jacoby Ellsbury would be undergoing surgery for a torn labrum, keeping him off the field for the entire 2018 season, brought a mix of disappointment and derision. On the one hand, I never want to see anyone get hurt on a baseball field. This is their workplace, and a player suffering a concussion, torn muscle, or other injury while at work is no different to me than a roofer or firefighter injured on the job. It’s somewhat eerie that sports fans get such insight into the private health issues of human beings.
On the other hand, there is a certain tragic comedy in Ellsbury’s season.