Matt Morris' recent hammy pull has reminded some people of Roy's groin strain last year for some reason. In remembering the Oswalt injury from last year, I remember thinking that it would NOT have happened if it weren't for the 9/11 tragedy. The game when he strained his groin was the first one after the tragedy and they did this big pre-game thing and Roy quite honestly didn't stretch out enough. His injury really hurt us in the playoffs although I realize it was bullpen pitching not starting pitching that killed us. Another reason (if you need one) to get upset about 9/11.
No, it was not the starting pitching. If Roy was pitching, he'd have probably gone in game 2 (Wade would have still started game one....with the same thinking that had him starting the first game of the season this year). What happened in that game 2? We lost 1-0. Roy couldn't have done much better than that, and the bats still wouldn't have bailed him out. Glavine was just on, and the stros bats were off...as their playoff usual. Of course, just the mentality of having Oswalt there could have changed outcomes, but we'll never know. At least we're gonna have the guy around (Drayton will sign him, no matter what) for a looong time.
It's hard to say that the same exact scenario would've occurred if Oswalt pitched game 2. If the best rookie in the NL would've been on the mound, who knows the kind of confidence it might build in the rest of the team? Or maybe Roy pitches a shutout? There are a lot of variables... Dusty: you are right in that it wouldn't have happened except for the 9-11 tragedy, but it also happened because of San Francisco. The ceremony took about 15-20 minutes, and considering how cool it can be in September in San Francisco, it would seem really easy for muscles to get tight. BTW, this is also another reason that San Francisco should not get the Olympic games. Even in July, I would imagine that it would be easier for track and field athletes and athletes in general to sustain injuries in the cool weather. It may be a plus for the spectators, but the fans will come anyway... it's a definite negative for the athletes.
