The QB of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger, was injured in a motorcycle accident this morning, ESPN.com reports.
Compounding the issue is the revelation well over a year ago that Roethlisberger chooses to not wear a protective helmet while riding his motorcycle, a decision that has drawn criticism from Bill Cowher and former Steelers QB/current FOX blowhard Terry Bradshaw.
While I certainly hope that Roethlisberger's injuries are not serious or life-threatening, it's extremely difficult to sympathize with anyone who is stoopid enough to ride a motorcycle without a helmet.
I work with a motorcycle enthusiast who told me this morning, before Big Ben's accident, that 5 people were killed either at or on their way to "Bike Week" in Laconia, New Hampshire this weekend. Also, a former colleague's son in-law was killed while riding his motorcycle on his way home from work two months ago. While a helmet doesn't provide 100% protection in an accident, it does reduce the impact the head is exposed to in minor accidents.
Roethlisberger's choice to not wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle shows that he's quite cavalier about his own future. He recognizes that it's important to wear a helmet to brace against hits from Ray Lewis, but he doesn't see the need to protect himself from pavement or Chryslers.
Yep, that's a really smart guy the Steelers got. The latest information (as heard on WEEI) is that Roethlisberger is in serious, but stable, condition, and is currently (1:45pm) in surgery. On what, I have no idea.
The Grimsley Effect in Arizona?
I can't pretend to know what's going on inside the Diamondback clubhouse, but the team hasn't won a game since Jason Grimsley's involvement in a federal investigation surfaced.
Based on the team's 7-game losing streak, and looking pretty terrible during it, you've got to think that the media storm that has enveloped the team has had a negative affect on the team as a whole.
This losing streak has dropped the Diamondbacks into 2nd place in the NL West, which Arizona will try to snap when the Giants come to town on Tuesday.
The Night/Week Ahead
Only 6 games on the docket tonight, including a matchup of two young starting pitchers making a name for themselves this year. I'd never thought I'd make it a point to watch a Devil Rays game this year, but Scott Kazmir vs. Justin Verlander is something to keep an eye on.
Elsewhere, 64-year old Jose Contreras takes the mound for the White Sox against the Rangers, who'll go with rookie lefty John Koronka tonight. The Rangers battled the Red Sox all weekend long, and while they did give away a sure win in yesterday's 1st game, they responded well.
There's a less-than-spectacular mid-week schedule as we head into another weekend of (played-out) interleague action, but there are a few series of note:
Cleveland at New York Yankees. The Indians' bats seem to be coming to life, and if they're bullpen stops making games tighter than Al Nipper's pants, they may be able to make some noise in the AL Central.
New York Mets at Philadelphia. With the Braves 10 games back (tied with the Washington Nationals!), the NL East is slowly becoming a two-team race, with the Mets 6.5 games ahead of the Phillies, who welcome the Mets to town knowing they won't have to face Pedro Martinez.
Seattle at Oakland. Seattle had a hot weekend, moving to 4 games back of division-leading Texas and are now 2 behind the 2nd place A's, who only swept the Yankees in the Bronx for the first time in 12 years. Oakland has been a house of horrors for the Mariners lately, but there's no time like the present to turn around their fortunes.
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