Sometimes I wonder if the analysts on ESPN do any research or spend any time preparing for their on air rants. Then my suspicions that they often don't, or at least that John Kruk doesn't, are confirmed by statements like this:
Kruk, apparently unaware that Mecir was born with club feet and walks with a slight limp, questioned the Marlins for bringing in what appeared to him to be an injured pitcher.
Mecir, who gave up five runs in Sunday's loss to the Padres, is not injured.
One would think that Kruk of all people, a guy who survived testicular cancer and later endured plenty of ribbing for the lasting effects of his treatment, would have a little compassion or respect for things like this.
Apparently not though. It doesn't really make it any better - actually, it may make it worse - but Kruk's fault is probably that he went on the air unscripted and unrehearsed. That probably adds some refreshing nature to the show, but it also opens up Kruk and ESPN to saying something foolish like this.
UPDATE: Other than watching him pitch, I know nothing of Jim Mecir. From the comments over at Baseball Primer, it sounds like Mecir is a pretty good guy (check out comment #17 for the original comment, which I'm quoting here):
I met Jim in Seattle a couple of yrs ago and explained the story. The following morning he handed to me a personal letter to my nephew, filled with encouragement & support. Through the grapevine I later learned that Mecir has showed similar kindness to a host of other youngsters, all while shunning recognition.