There are two things that have been nagging at my mind, in a sad way, the last few days. First, when it was announced the other night that Willie Harris had to abruptly leave the team to fly home to be with his wife who had gone into premature labor, at first I thought, ok the baby is probably a few weeks to a month early, no big deal, hospitals deal with that all the time. Then when the Mets came out with the news the following morning that Harris’ 5-month-old unborn child had not survived, I was genuinely heartbroken for him. I have seen first-hand what that can do to people and it is nothing less than devastating.
There are no words in a situation like that. Harris returns Sunday from bereavement leave.
When Jose Reyes left the team last month to attend his grandmother’s funeral, he wanted to stay home with his family for a longer period of time, but came back at his father’s insistence.
The next bombshell was about Taylor Buchholtz, allowing the Mets to release a statement that he is battling depression and anxiety, something he has been dealing with since his days with the Rockies.
It kills me when people who don’t understand get annoyed when guys go on the DL for things like this. This is a real and serious issue. Again, speaking from first-hand experience, I’ve seen what it can do to a person, and it’s not a good place to be. Many times, mental issues can be as devastating (if not more) than physical ones. With physical injuries, you at least know exactly what they are and how long they take to heal. Mental issues don’t give you that luxury.
I think what we have a hard time remembering is that these guys are real people with real lives. People scoff and call them “soft”, but when it comes down to it, they are people just like you and me with the same issues we all face.
Stay strong Willie, Taylor, and whoever else may be facing the things that happen when you are “making other plans”. We support you.
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