Hong-Chih Kuo named to NL All-Star team
Hong-Chih Kuo, a survivor of four elbow operations and Steve Blass disease, has been added to the National League All-Star team. Kuo is replacing sidelined Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward.
The left-handed setup man is 3-1 with a 1.03 earned-run average in 25 appearances this season. He has 36 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings.
Kuo has been particularly dominant against left-handed hitters, who are 0 for 30 with 16 strikeouts against him.
Kuo had the last of his elbow operations in 2007. He reported to spring training the next year with the possibility of retirement on his mind. He told the coaching staff not to baby him. If he got hurt, he told them, he got hurt.
But he might have overcome his greatest obstacle last season, when he suddenly lost the ability to throw a strike. Warming up in the bullpen during a game at Dodger Stadium in May, he sailed a couple of balls into the infield. After spending time talking to two sports psychologists and working out at the Dodgers’ spring training complex in Arizona, Kuo was activated from the disabled list in late July.
-- Dylan Hernandez
The left-handed setup man is 3-1 with a 1.03 earned-run average in 25 appearances this season. He has 36 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings.
Kuo has been particularly dominant against left-handed hitters, who are 0 for 30 with 16 strikeouts against him.
Kuo had the last of his elbow operations in 2007. He reported to spring training the next year with the possibility of retirement on his mind. He told the coaching staff not to baby him. If he got hurt, he told them, he got hurt.
But he might have overcome his greatest obstacle last season, when he suddenly lost the ability to throw a strike. Warming up in the bullpen during a game at Dodger Stadium in May, he sailed a couple of balls into the infield. After spending time talking to two sports psychologists and working out at the Dodgers’ spring training complex in Arizona, Kuo was activated from the disabled list in late July.
-- Dylan Hernandez
I love this story! It's great to see all that hard work pay off. Kuo has been a real bright spot on an otherwise disconcerting L.A. pitching staff. Congratulations to a deserving Dodger!
Posted by: Philbert | 07/11/2010 at 12:21 PM
Right on! Should have been on the roster since Day 1
Posted by: legalchick | 07/11/2010 at 01:15 PM
Steve Blass disease defined;
Blass is best known for his sudden and inexplicable loss of control after the 1972 season.[1] His ERA climbed to 9.81 in the 1973 season. He walked 84 batters in 88 innings, and struck out only 27. Blass suffered through the 1973 season, then spent most of 1974 in the minor leagues. He gave it one last try in spring training of 1975. Failing to regain his form, he retired from baseball in March 1975.
Posted by: These Dodgers Suck! | 07/11/2010 at 03:19 PM
This is a very smart choice. The man really deaerves the honor. enough said.
Posted by: Jim McVeigh | 07/11/2010 at 03:29 PM
I love stories of perseverance that have a happy ending. I am confused, though, that a pitcher would be picked to replace an injured position player. Does it happen a lot (and I just haven't noticed)?
Posted by: yadthink | 07/11/2010 at 04:01 PM