Video game hurt Tigers Zumaya's arm

Bearcat729 · 12-14-2006, 09:23 AM

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...88/1050/SPORTS

Tigers
HUMMIN' SLOWED BY STRUMMIN': Guitar video game hurt Zumaya's arm

December 14, 2006
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BY JON PAUL MOROSI

FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

Joel Zumaya can still do first pumps but not guitar strums. (DUANE BURLESON/Associated Press)

String talk

"Guitar Hero" is a PlayStation 2 video game that comes with a guitar-shaped controller (resembling a Gibson SG). The player simulates playing an electric guitar for many popular songs by artists such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, David Bowie and Ozzy Osbourne. Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya's inflammation isn't the first injury related to a video game: Many gamers have suffered blisters (also nicknamed "Nintendo thumb"), and players of the new Nintendo Wii have already reported suffering from "Wii elbow."

The Tigers are satisfied they won't see a recurrence of the right wrist and forearm inflammation that sidelined Joel Zumaya for three games of the American League Championship Series.

Why? Club president and general manager Dave Dombrowski told WXYT-AM (1270) on Wednesday the team had concluded Zumaya's injury resulted from playing a video game, not from his powerful throwing motion.

"That was probably what was taking place," Dombrowski later told the Free Press.

Zumaya, 22, was known to play "Guitar Hero," a PlayStation 2 game in which a player uses a guitar-shaped controller to simulate the performance of popular songs.

During the radio interview, Dombrowski said the Tigers' athletic training staff discovered that Zumaya's forearm pain was more consistent with the action of a guitar player than a baseball pitcher. The Tigers asked Zumaya to stop playing the video game, and he did. Zumaya then pitched pain-free during the World Series, and went 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in three appearances.

"He felt fine in the World Series, to tell you the truth," said Steve Springer, one of Zumaya's representatives. "I didn't even think twice about it."

Mustang · 12-14-2006, 09:36 AM

I can finally relate to a professional athlete's pain...

Ksyrup · 12-14-2006, 09:39 AM

That's awesome. The WSJ did an article a few weeks back about all of the real-life musicians who love playing the game. Now we get this...

sterlingice · 12-15-2006, 07:31 AM

Well, he has lots of time in the offseason to play GH2

SI

SirFozzie · 12-15-2006, 12:36 PM

I can see it now, he comes into spring training with his arm completely numb, and the trainers look at him.. "You've been playing Guitar Hero 2 again!!!"

Zumaya of course says "It's nothin man, I can quit at any time"

Then they check him in to Guitar Heroes Anonymous for rehab....

*grins*

12-14-2006, 09:36 AM	#2
Mustang Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wisconsin	I can finally relate to a professional athlete's pain... __________________ You, you will regret what you have done this day. I will make you regret ever being born. Your going to wish you never left your mothers womb, where it was warm and safe... and wet. i am going to show you pain you never knew existed, you are going to see a whole new spectrum of pain, like a Rainboooow. But! This rainbow is not just like any other rainbow, its...

12-14-2006, 09:39 AM	#3
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	That's awesome. The WSJ did an article a few weeks back about all of the real-life musicians who love playing the game. Now we get this... __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

12-15-2006, 07:31 AM	#4
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	Well, he has lots of time in the offseason to play GH2 SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!"

12-15-2006, 12:36 PM	#5
SirFozzie Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: The State of Insanity	I can see it now, he comes into spring training with his arm completely numb, and the trainers look at him.. "You've been playing Guitar Hero 2 again!!!" Zumaya of course says "It's nothin man, I can quit at any time" Then they check him in to Guitar Heroes Anonymous for rehab.... grins __________________ Check out Foz's New Video Game Site, An 8-bit Mind in an 8GB world! http://an8bitmind.com

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