Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 6/25/2010

Question
Why did John Olerud wear a batting helmet in the field at first base?

Thanks.

Ken

Answer
Ken,

Olerud’s choice of headgear stems from a near tragic incident he endured during his college years; while attending Washington State University in 1989, Olerud suffered a brain hemorrhage and an aneurysm during a morning workout. Though he recovered, doctors advised him to wear a protective batting helmet while playing first base or pitching (he was a two-position player in college), in order to protect against line drives and collisions with baserunners that might result in contact with the skull.

So that's the story!

Brian