Ducscherer Comments

[berenjena]

Wow, this guy has physical and mental issues.

From Baltimore Sun:

"My problem is I'm a soft guy in a profession of hard guys," Duchscherer told Men's Journal, which provided USA Today with a sneak preview of the article. "I'd prefer to be playing tennis.

"People think if you're rich, you must be happy. They can't understand why you're not. I feel guilty making so much money playing a game. If I pitch a shutout, it doesn't make me happy. I think of the guys I struck out, how they're going home, depressed, to their families."

It's unclear if he'll be able to bounce back from hip and back injuries and take the mound for the Orioles, who have had injury issues in their rotation this season. "I never doubted my ability to pitch," Duchscherer said.

[SPTO]

Re: Ducscherer Comments

Wow...Talk about taking things too seriously! Oh and if he feels guilty about making so much money he could always ask for a lower salary or donate whatever amount to charities and such.

Anyways...Sounds like the guy has some issues going on.

[JBH3]

Re: Ducscherer Comments

Wow, this guy has physical and mental issues.

From Baltimore Sun:

"My problem is I'm a soft guy in a profession of hard guys," Duchscherer told Men's Journal, which provided USA Today with a sneak preview of the article. "I'd prefer to be playing tennis.

"People think if you're rich, you must be happy. They can't understand why you're not. I feel guilty making so much money playing a game. If I pitch a shutout, it doesn't make me happy. I think of the guys I struck out, how they're going home, depressed, to their families."

It's unclear if he'll be able to bounce back from hip and back injuries and take the mound for the Orioles, who have had injury issues in their rotation this season. "I never doubted my ability to pitch," Duchscherer said.

Does he have mental issues?

So it's just a job to him. It's not what gives him intrinsic joy in his life. Maybe tennis is? I respect him for his honesty. Folks will judge him because they want his ability and would appreciate it more I guess?

I have a nice job too, but I'd much rather be doing something else for a living if it could sustain the lifestyle that I have now.

I'm guessing Duchscherer is not a good tennis player, which is why he pitches....

[wwharton]

Re: Ducscherer Comments

So glad we went out to get this gem.

And don't get me wrong, if this were Roy Halladay I'd just respect his honesty too. But this is a young guy with potential that always seems to be hurt. These statements don't give me any hope that he'll reach his potential. Sounds more like he'll retire early.

[Hootiefish]

Re: Ducscherer Comments

Does he have mental issues?

He actually does. I believe part of his injury issues in Oakland involved missing some time for clinical depression.

So, you can understand why he is not able, at least always, to find joy in all that he does.

Depression ain't easy to live with.

[slickdtc]

Re: Ducscherer Comments

I don't see what's so wrong with his comments. I mean, yeah, they're a bit odd, thinking so deeply about how the guys you struck out are going to feel going back to their team and their families. Maybe he feels guilty that because he's been blessed with such talent and it's come easy to him, while there are guys who work their butts off to get where they are and then they fail (in striking out to a guy like him). And they might be out of a job and a lifestyle because of their failures against players like Ducscherer.

I can see what's he's saying when you really think about it, though it is a bit too obsessive sounding. There's some things you just have to let go. You have to do what's best for you to a point, too.

If anything, I'm glad he's shown the balls to open and say he's soft compared to the culture he's in. It takes a lot to admit what you are and not hide behind the jersey. I definitely respect his honesty and hope he can cope with his issues.

[Perfect Zero]

Re: Ducscherer Comments

These comments sound like the words of a person who suffers from depression. I suffer from depression too, and I know how it feels to have deep emotions not just for a game, but for life. What he has to know is that it's eat or be eaten in this profession. Still, Ducscherer seems like the type of person that won't let this affect him too much.

[wwharton]

Re: Ducscherer Comments

These comments sound like the words of a person who suffers from depression. I suffer from depression too, and I know how it feels to have deep emotions not just for a game, but for life. What he has to know is that it's eat or be eaten in this profession. Still, Ducscherer seems like the type of person that won't let this affect him too much.

That's where I disagree, and my comments may sound harsh. From a personal level, I feel for the guy and don't have a problem with his comments. But to me he does seem like the type to let this effect him and has let it effect him. I really think he'll have a short career. As an O's fan, it sucks that he was seen as a good fit on the pitching staff if he never ends up pitching or pitching much. But just talking about him, he needs to do what's best for him. He doesn't seem to care too much about the money, isn't really happy and may need to step away from the game (which, not caring too much about money, he should be financially able to do no problem). Kind of looks like a baseball version of Rickey Williams coming... without the illegal drug use.

[Perfect Zero]

Re: Ducscherer Comments

That's where I disagree, and my comments may sound harsh. From a personal level, I feel for the guy and don't have a problem with his comments. But to me he does seem like the type to let this effect him and has let it effect him. I really think he'll have a short career. As an O's fan, it sucks that he was seen as a good fit on the pitching staff if he never ends up pitching or pitching much. But just talking about him, he needs to do what's best for him. He doesn't seem to care too much about the money, isn't really happy and may need to step away from the game (which, not caring too much about money, he should be financially able to do no problem). Kind of looks like a baseball version of Rickey Williams coming... without the illegal drug use.

There are several people who suffer from some sort of depression that don't just give up. In fact, I would think that's one of the last things any psycologist would tell the guy. If you start encouraging people to run away from their fears, they let those said fears take them over. The things that were done for people like Zach Greinke could be used to help Justin Ducscherer in the future.

[wwharton]

Re: Ducscherer Comments

There are several people who suffer from some sort of depression that don't just give up. In fact, I would think that's one of the last things any psycologist would tell the guy. If you start encouraging people to run away from their fears, they let those said fears take them over. The things that were done for people like Zach Greinke could be used to help Justin Ducscherer in the future.

You may be reading a bit much into my post. I never said I'd tell him to give up (of course I wouldn't). You said he seems like the type of person that wouldn't let it effect him too much. Considering he's had battles with it that has effected him playing and is currently openly stating things that would lead one to believe that he still has issues with it, I disagree with that comment... it seems very much like it's effecting him.

And as far as giving up, what does that mean? If he decides to stop playing baseball that doesn't mean he necessarily "gave up". He doesn't seem to care about the big salary, doesn't appear all that comfortable with being "soft" in a "hard" environment and would rather be doing something else. Baseball clearly doesn't drive him so it wouldn't be shocking if he quit playing baseball, without it meaning he's giving up on some dream that others may have.

[55]

Re: Ducscherer Comments

"...I think of the guys I struck out, how they're going home, depressed, to their families."

That's pretty much a verbatim quote from an old episode of The Twilight Zone entitled, The Mighty Casey.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mighty_Casey

I think Justin might just be trolling us all a little bit...

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Ducscherer Comments

Go retire then.

[fugazi]

Re: Ducscherer Comments

I dont get the impression that he wants to retire.

He simply says that it isn't life or death for him.

That IS okay, right?

[wwharton]

Re: Ducscherer Comments

I dont get the impression that he wants to retire.

He simply says that it isn't life or death for him.

That IS okay, right?

I don't think there's anything wrong if he DOES retire sooner rather than later, but even if he doesn't I don't like the idea of my "ace" being so disinterested or concerned about the feelings of the batters he faces. And my comments were specifically as an O's fan. Again, from his perspective I respect whatever he'd decide and think he should worry more about himself if it is all related to depression.

[12]

Re: Ducscherer Comments

He sounds like the rest of us!

Imagine that, a guy who doesn't always find satisfaction in his chosen field/profession.

There's nothing wrong with how he feels. I am sure if it's get too unbearable for him, he'll hopefully retire and quit punishing himself.