Comments on: Former MLB utilityman Ryan Freel commits suicide

By: bigharold

bigharold — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 07:41:13 +0000

“Some of those thumbs are going to be directed at me,…’

Still no excuse. Thumbs downing an individual regardless of the topic or content is just plain BS.

I wish the moderator would do with the completely do away with the thumbs down thing. I get thumbs up, .. why repeat the same thought someone just posted. But thumbs down is weak BS. If you don’t agree with my point then explain yourself, .. otherwise you either really don’t disagree that much or you don’t have the cerebral wherewith all to expound on why I’m wrong.

By: macjacmccoy

macjacmccoy — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 22:31:59 +0000

I dont know why everyone is talking about what can cause someone to resort to suicide. If you read any sports blog over the last few years they will tell you that every suicide is a result of head trauma. Because there’s no way these sports supermen could actually be weak . No way could my cousin had have killed himself over a girl and money bc that means that a sports hero could do the same thing. And that’s just unacceptable there has to be an excuse why the did it..

By: Utley's Hair

Utley's Hair — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 21:13:11 +0000

RIP Ryan Freel, and thoughts and prayers go out to his family, especially, but not solely at this time of year, which is focused so much on family and togetherness. Sadly, some people do feel the need to escape their problems with such a permanent solution. However, by doing this, they leave it all on the people they leave behind to clean up the pieces. A sad, sad story to be sure.

By: raysfan1

raysfan1 — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 20:07:30 +0000

This was supposed to be entered as a reply under OG’s comment. Also applies to florida727′s comment.

By: raysfan1

raysfan1 — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 19:44:40 +0000

Glad Drew did delete the comment to which tis was aimed.

By: raysfan1

raysfan1 — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 19:40:31 +0000

Ok, let me try to clarify. If all you mean is that the concussion problem is worse in football than in baseball, then you are right; I would accept that as axiomatic. However, your response to drewsylvania made me think you were implying that concussions are not a problem in baseball, and that would be incorrect. Your statement that the comment drewsylvania made should be left to profootballtalk also implies that concussions need not be addressed in baseball, and once more I disagree. If I read more into your first comment than I should have, then I apologize. Either way, no offense was meant, it’s just that I feel strongly that traumatic brain injuries need to be taken seriously– and not just in sports, for that matter.

By: cur68

cur68 — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 18:17:36 +0000

Well, you spend a lot of time on a blog and you acquire people who don’t like you. Some of those thumbs are going to be directed at me, not necessarily the sentiment. Others, well who knows? People can be pretty weird about suicide.

By: brewcrewfan54

brewcrewfan54 — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 17:58:12 +0000

If the players aren’t telling anyone how can you say I’m incorrect? You can’t. Everything I said is right. Yes players hide injuries but concussions are not a problem in baseball like they are in football.

By: cruuuzcontrol

cruuuzcontrol — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 17:07:26 +0000

I haven’t checked into the picture angle, but he was not shy about talking about his imaginary friend “Farney” and how Farney was the one who made him play in that balls-to-the-wall mentality. He was so sincere when he spoke about it. Like it was real to him.

By: Bbmokc

Bbmokc — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 16:47:55 +0000

It is interesting that you say that – because I have not heard him speak – but gathered from his pictures that something was wrong. Isn’t that interesting? Some people can take a picture and you can read it like a book and this guys picture were those type.

By: close account

close account — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 16:43:48 +0000

I don’t follow baseball – or really any sport for that matter – but when I looked up this individuals name and then saw every picture posted, his face screamed unahppy. I am not sure why – but his pictures did not portray a happy individual. Take a look.

By: 13arod

13arod — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 16:28:09 +0000

good guy very sad news hate to hear about a person doing suicide r.i.p

By: cruuuzcontrol

cruuuzcontrol — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 16:09:51 +0000

To anyone who listened to this guy speak off the field, it was pretty clear he was mentally ill to some degree. A real shame… I remember I had him on my fantasy team one year among his best years from ’04-’06, when he was an emerging player for the Reds. I’ll never forget how disgusted my co-managers and I were at how Jerry Narron dished out the playing time in the outfield. To this day, Jerry Narron remains something of an inside joke/measuring stick when discussing our frustration with major league managers. RIP Freelsy/Farney.

By: raysfan1

raysfan1 — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 15:33:59 +0000

Prayers for peace for the Freel family and his friends.

By: fhuizar

fhuizar — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 15:28:09 +0000

Selfish

By: raysfan1

raysfan1 — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 15:23:04 +0000

Incorrect. Players hide injuries, or downplay them, in all sports at all levels because they want to play. There is less physical contact in baseball than football, but concussions are still common. Research is still far from complete but all traumatic brain injuries can have deleterious and cumulative effects. This is why baseball now has a mandatory one week DL for anyone diagnosed with a TBI.

By: ndnut

ndnut — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 14:54:48 +0000

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

RIP

P.S. There is no judgement declared on anybody except by God. No teaching states that whoever commits suicide is in hell.

By: brewcrewfan54

brewcrewfan54 — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 14:21:36 +0000

That comment is better left for profootballtalk. Concussions happen in baseball but they aren’t an epidemic and I don’t recall ever hearing any players talk about hiding them from management as NFL players do.

By: florida727

florida727 — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 14:19:52 +0000

#jimbo, it’s often been said that suicide is the ultimate form of selfishness that there is. It’s the so-called “easy way out”. You’re right, the ones left behind are the ones that suffer the most… at least in this life. Eternally? Totally different story I’m afraid.

By: florida727

florida727 — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 14:16:13 +0000

Sorry, I hate to state the obvious, but what kind of a miserable, low-life existence do you have to have to make jokes about a guy who, apparently, is so distraught that he takes his own life and leaves behind a wife and kid(s)? Get some help, man. You have some serious mental issues if that’s your idea of a joke.

By: indaburg

indaburg — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 14:11:53 +0000

It is likely that his history of concussions had something to do this with. Chronic tramautic encephalopathy (CTE) is a form of degenerative brain disease that can result from repeated brain trauma, like Freel’s. It may not have been the only reason, but I have no doubt it contributed.

Poor guy. I feel for people so desperate to think this is the only way to ease their pain.

By: drewsylvania

drewsylvania — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 14:04:38 +0000

Concussions–diminishing your mental faculties–often cause depression. Players need to start taking them seriously.

By: cincikid513

cincikid513 — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 11:45:00 +0000

So sad. He had a great fan base when he played in the Nati. Tough as nails in the field. My prayers go out to his wife, children and the rest of those immediately affected by his death. May he dance with the Lord in paradise.

By: jaysjunkie

jaysjunkie — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 09:19:03 +0000

Obviously a very sad story, but I must admit that I’ll be damned if I can remember him from his time with Jays.

By: stabonerichard

stabonerichard — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 08:56:12 +0000

Shitty.

By: elpendejo59

elpendejo59 — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 08:06:59 +0000

Hey cur,
Isn’t it soooo cool that someone thumbed you down? Internet badassery is the coolest. Is it too late to have that person aborted?

By: cur68

cur68 — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 07:57:28 +0000

Damn. I remember this kid from his days when he played for My Boys. Sorry to see the news. It must be awful for his family. I’m sorry

By: elpendejo59

elpendejo59 — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 07:41:35 +0000

Dear anyone who trolls on a post about a husband and father committing suicide,

Please meet me in the dark alley of your choice so we can “discuss” this like “gentlmen”

Sincerely,

A human being

By: jtrain1966

jtrain1966 — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 06:46:49 +0000

As a Cardinal fan, I hated when the Cards played Cincy, cause I knew every time he was in the lineup he was going to be a pain in the Cardinals ass ! With that being said : My heart goes out to his friends, family, & all of his fans & whom ever elses life he may have had a major impact on ! R.I.P. MR. Freel, You will be missed by all !!!

By: pjmitch

pjmitch — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 06:02:17 +0000

Who are the idiots that vote thumbs down on comemnts like this one and similar ones?