Eric Chavez – End of the Road?

After 11 and 1/2 seasons it looks the career of Eric Chavez is coming to an end. The Oakland Athletics‘ third baseman will be undergoing a second microdiscectomy on his back, in a different location, which will cost him the rest of this season. Unfortunately the surgery may also force the slugger to retire.

“This is his best chance to play again. … It’s been tough for him personally,” manager Bob Geren said. “He’s a big-time player, Gold Glover that we miss. I still keep the hope and stay positive that he’s going to contribute next year.”

Dr. Robert Watkins, who also did the last surgery, will perform the new surgery on June 23rd and expects Chavez to be ready for Spring Training. So maybe this gloom about the end of his career is for naught?

Who knows, Chavez’s back has been a problem spot his entire career. It’s even been said that a second such surgery would make his back to unstable to play baseball again. Chavez told the San Francisco Chronicle last month that another surgery would be “Pretty much game, set and match.”

That makes much more sense to me then ready for Spring Training. I mean really this is his second spinal fusion in under a year, that’s some pretty serious stuff. If I was Chavez I would definitely consider retirement.

Chavez situation reminds me a lot of former New York Yankee Don Mattingly. Mattingly had a great start to his career to only have it derailed by continual back injuries. Chavez has pretty much followed the same pattern.

From 2000 to 2005, Chavez was an absolute terror to opposing pitchers, averaging 29.5 homers and 98 rbis per season. Numbers that could of been even better if he didn’t miss time in 2004. Once 2006 hit the injuries started. When on the field he was still able to produce, the average took a big hit and the power numbers a little. His main problem was staying healthy enough to be in the game.

“I wanted Billy to know how bad I felt about how everything has unfolded,” Chavez said. “Not as a player to a GM, but because I value how much he’s supported me. I wanted Billy to know how disappointed I am, because they made a huge commitment to me and I haven’t fulfilled my end.

Its rare to hear a player say something like that but it shows what kind of guy Chavez is. He’s a stand up guy whose had his career derailed by injuries. It’s a sad thing to see, hopefully he can just get this surgery and focus on his family, the next chapter in his life. With all he’s been through even his teammates feel bad for the guy.

“I hope he’s going to be all right,” second baseman Mark Ellis told reporters. “Hopefully he can come back. I don’t know what the prognosis is. Everyone in here respects him and we really miss him out there. If (the surgery) is what it takes, great. He’s a big presence in this clubouse. Everyone respects him. Everyone respects what he’s gone through, the surgeries, too.”

Hopefully Chavez chooses the right thing once his rehabilitation is done.

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Tags: Eric Chavez, MLB, Oakland Athletics