The Futility Infielder

Bobble Bobble

In addition to winning 288 games in the big leagues, Tommy John is remembered as the guinea pig for a medical procedure which changed the game of baseball. In 1974, the 31-year old John underwent an elbow reconstruction procedure which was so successful that it allowed him to pitch another 14 years in the bigs--and at a higher level than before. The procedure has become so popular among pitchers that it's routinely referred to as "Tommy John Surgery".

It ought to be enough for TJ to get his ticket punched to the Hall fo Fame, but John, who's now the pitching coach for the AA Harrisburg Senators (Expos affiliate) will have to settle for a new kind of immortality. The AAA Charlotte Knights are giving away Tommy John Bobble Arm dolls to the first 1500 fans at a game tonight in Charlotte. According to the press release:

"'The doll, sponsored by Perry and Barron Orthopedics, whose head and left arm bobble, is a one-of-a-kind unique promotion designed by the Knights. It is the first bobble head doll to have another appendage that moves. The doll was created in the likeness of former Charlotte Radio Color Commentator and major league pitcher TOMMY JOHN. The bobble doll is wearing a New York Yankees uniform and is complete with the red scar that has become synonymous with the now famous "Tommy John surgery."

I think I've found my next eBay purchase. To borrow a quote from Homer Simpson: "I have two questions: how much, and give it to me." This will have to tide me over until the Yanks brass sees fit to honor Luis Sojo with a unique doll of his own: the Bobble Chin.

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And on the subject of completely ridiculous products you didn't know you needed (or didn't even know existed), here's another one: ESPN Fantasy Fishing. I shit you not. There are not one, not two, but three different types, two for bass and one for walleye. From the description for the Fishing Challenge - B.A.S.S. Tour:

"Create your own five-man dream team from among the universe of professional anglers on the world's largest bass fishing circuit — the CITGO BASSMASTER Tournament Trail — then track their collective performance over the course of an actual four-day tournament. Score big and you could win valuable outdoor prizes and ESPN Fantasy Uber points. But if your anglers get skunked, you risk shame and humiliation on the weigh-in stage… not to mention a litany of trash talk from other fantasy players. Play for one tournament, or for the whole season. You're free to alter your roster as the season progresses. That way, if your franchise angler suddenly can't buy a bite, you can unload him like last year's Stinkbait."

First question: WHY? Second question: does it come with a fantasy beer cooler you need to keep stocked? Fantasy beer drinking... now there's a game some folks I know would be into...