Prospect Matt Imhof retires after losing eye
IMHOF NEWS: Back in June, Phillies pitching prospect Matt Imhof was struck in the eye by a resistance band anchored to a wall while working out after a game in Florida. Imhof suffered a fractured nose, two fractured orbital bones and the loss of vision in his right eye.
Imhof underwent emergency surgery to reconstruct the eye, but he never regained his vision. Thus, Imhof decided to have his eye removed, replaced with a prosthetic eye. In as good spirits as possible, Imhof said he would persevere over the freak injury.
This morning, Imhof wrote a first-person piece for ESPN announcing his retirement. The stunning piece shows a 23-year-old in command of his identity, his future:
“I’m a firm believer that baseball, through all my struggles on and off the field, prepared me for this moment. But the greatest thing baseball ever did for me was teach me who I could be without it.”
Read the piece. Good luck, Matt.
IT’S EASY TO HEAR: Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen will host a new radio show at 6 p.m. Wednesdays in February. The Hot Stove will preview the Phillies’ 2017 season, and will air on SportsRadio 94.1 WIP.
RYAN’S SONG: Ryan Howard wants to play in 2017, and he spoke with Ken Rosenthal about his hopes to land a roster spot somewhere in baseball.
Won’t be in Philadelphia. In fact, the best part of the story is about Phils fans who congratulated Howard on a “good career,” as in “congratulations on your retirement.”
GRAPEFRUITING: Today, as we continue our Clearwater preview, Daniel Walsh will tell you where you should eat when down there … and yes, he points out places BESIDES Lenny’s and Frenchy’s.
