Rocco Baldelli Q and A

Rays RF Rocco Baldelli met with a group of media before the game on Sunday to discuss his prognosis, his career and his life with a rare severe muscle fatigue disorder.

Q: How have you learned to better handle your condition?
A: I go hard when I have to go hard. It’s something I’ve never really done before. My body responded pretty well to how I was treating it. I guess I do feel like I do have a better handle on it.

Q: Have there been any physical setbacks?
A: I haven’t had any real problems. I wasn’t playing every day (at Double A Montgomery), which is something I kind of have to do right now. I don’t think it’s really realistic to be out there every day playing, but I’m OK with that. I’m happy with whatever role I have, if or when I get back with the team.

Q: Did you pass the on-field tests the Rays had set out for you?
A: I don’t know if I passed or failed anything. I just felt good. I know I was happy. When I finished up the rehab assignment I figured I’d know, I’d have a good feeling about when (a return to the big-league roster) might happen. I have nothing but positive reviews for myself. I’m really happy with how it went.

Q: Is the limited role the Rays see for you workable?
A: I’ll do whatever I have to do. I don’t care. Physically, yeah, I did it for the entire rehab assignment so I think I can do it here. It was pretty hot where I was, too. That didn’t help the situation, to be honest with you, but I was able to get through it. It was good. It was a good experience.

Q: What is your long-term prognosis of your condition?
A: I don’t know what the long-term prognosis is. I don’t think the doctors have complete knowledge of it because I think everyone’s case is different. I think you stick with the treatments that they give you and see where it goes. There’s no real way to know what its going to mean five or 10 years from now. It’s not something I try to dwell on or think about too much anyways.

Q: Your goal is to become a full-time player again?
A: Obviously, but I don’t know if that’s completely realistic. I don’t know if it’s something you can completely recover from. It took me awhile to come to terms with that. I don’t know if that’s 100-percent the case, but I think it’s the case. Really, it was tough at first, but I think its something I’ve learned to live with and deal with and I’m OK with it.

Q: So this is more a situation where you have learned to work with the condition, not where it has relented?
A: I don’t think the treatments are reversing the problem. I just think its getting my body just a little more ammunition to work with as far as supplements and things I need.

Q: Did you have to relearn the process of staying ready to play, like lifting, running, etc.?
A: Not really. I do less of a lot of different things I used to do.

Q: Will you be able to dial down your level of intensity on the field, stop going all out all the time to save yourself a little?
A: That’s the plan. A lot of times I’ve been told to take it easy out there, get out there and get comfortable. Then I get out there, I run as hard as I can and I’ll end up doing something to myself. That’s pretty much how it’s gone for awhile now. It’s taken me awhile to learn how to dial it back and learn my new problem.

-- BRANT JAMES

Comments

[Paddy D]

I'm a lifelong Yankee fan up in NY and I truly wish the best for Rocco. I hope he can have some good ABs in the games the Rays lose, and the yanks take a flyer on him to replace Melky.

[Janet Flurry]

I had never heard of Rocco Baldelli-until he was sent to Montgomery-I took my son to a game and noticed the way Rocco acted on the field and in the dugout-like he was happy to be there-Then on 8-1-08 my son was the "Bat Kid" for the Biscuits-and Rocco seemed happy to sign his hat-I hope the best for the man-and will from here out playing or not my son and I will be Baldelli fans-

I was on the roid rumors with Rocco his 2nd year. Remember, 25 lbs heavier, then not 1 but 2 connective tissue injuries (read "Juiced" by our former boy Jose C if you don't understand that one).

If you don't think money has something to do with this, then you are a bandwagonner who doesn't remember Wilson "my arm hurts" Alvarez and '1 batter" Guzman.

Luckily, this regime seems to have their act together a bit better than the Namoli gang

[Albert is my hero]

Got to agree with Albert....he's the man. His future is so bright, he's got to wear shades.

[Bill Cooper AKA BIG DADDY NOLE..BDN]

I have to agree with Albertt, every sign points to Roids. It is the same thing Giambi went through. When I was a 5 String Bench warmer at FSU, I knew I hade to Roid it also just to hang with the real football players.

BDN..Bill Cooper

[Andy]

Albert,

I have confirmed the rumor that you don't know much about baseball. Pulos? Is that the celestial body that is no longer considered a planet?

[Dave]

albertt - looks like you're on the juice. I'll counter your long rumors with the rumor that his initial diagnosis looked for every known roid - all tests were negative. His condition is a new diagnosis and has a high probability of being mis-diagnosed. A lot of people with this disease rely on various vitamin/mineral concoctions to help them cope. Cut the guy some slack.

[albertt]

I am glad that the Rays are FINALLY getting Rocc-ROID Baldelli back!
IT TAKES AWHILE FOR THESE GUYS TO GET THE JUICE OUT OF THEIR SYSTEM!
THERE HAVE LONG BEEN RUMORS AROUND BASEBALL THAT HE IS JUST AS GUILTY AS GIAMBI AND OTHER FAN FAVORITES LIKE PULOS!

RACK ME!!!

[Sammy]

I love Rocco and I loved Tony C. I hope Rocco comes back this year and is productive. I struggle though with comparing them. Tony C's injury was tragic. Also, I do not know how much his participation on the 1975 inspired the Red Sox to reach the WS. He was waived in September after making 57 AB, and 7 hits for a .123 BA.

[Gene]

Agree with Jeff, Rocco has nothing to appologize for. He has spent the last two years trying to learn to work with a body that was no longer doing what it had done for his entire life. Cut him some slack. When Tony Conigilaro came back after his bean ball incident, it sparked the 1975 Red Sox to the World Series. An emotional return and a couple more improbable wins like yesterday will give the boys something to make up for the "experience" they lack. Go Rays, time to give the Indians some major Pay Back!

[Al]

Welcome back Rocco. Thoss of us who have stood by the "D-Rays", know that you would do anything to play for this team again.

[Ray F]

Easy Kids... let's put our jail shivvs away.

Rocco knew long before April that he was not going to have his option picked up. I agree that he will probably light the rest of the year up and wind upo signing with another team next year, but at the same time, the Rays don't have to play him.

If the Rays feel like Rocco is trying to take them for fools, they could put him back on the 60 day DL and let him rot the rest of the season.

Obviously, Rocco is going to be viewed by other teams as a guy who hasn't played a full season since gas was approaching $2 a gallon. That's the same way the Rays will view him.

I, personally, have been waiting all season to dust off my no.5 jersey and give Rocco a standing O when he comes to the plate and to see him contribute to what has already been an amazing season, would be awesome.

[Chuck]

Hey CharlieRay, why does he need to put his name? Is your last name Ray? If not, you must be a coward too.

[Bradley]

If he can contribute to this team,helping them get over the top,I am all for that!

[CharlieRay]

@ ^^^^ Only a coward Signs this way. We all wish Rocco good health and a return to the Rays

[JeffC]

No real Rays fan should question Rocco's integrity. PERIOD.

What a great win Sunday. Can you imagine if Rocco had been in the lineup and singled in the winning run? That's how I would have scripted it! That, and the Sox and Yanks would have lost their games!

[David]

The Rays batting with runners in scoring position have been treacherous. Baldelli has been batting .417 with RISP in the minors, so he could help us immensely.

[Patrick]

His return can be the icing on the cake, for a wonderful season and it could be better if he is the one to hit a walk off home run to win the world series.

[^^^^]

I find your stupidity VERY amusing. The Rays declined his option back on April 1st, and it was far from an unexpected move at the time. But don't let the facts get in the way of a good rant.

I still find it VERY ironic that he can suddenly play again after the Rays declined on the option year of his contract (i.e., he will be out of work next year unless he shows someone he can actually play).

Good luck to the team that signs him, and God forbit the Rays make that mistake again

[Steve]

It would be fantastic if were to eventually become just a full time DH, if that were the case.Paul Molitor carved out a terrific career as a DH almost for 1200 games.