From: twap8@isuvax.iastate.edu (Mike McNarney)
Subject: Serious Cubs injury
Reply-To: twap8@isuvax.iastate.edu
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1992 18:56:22 GMT

Reprinted from the 9/6/92 Des Moines _Register_, page 2D.
(c) 1992 the Des Moines Register Company.

'Renfroe remains 'serious''

By Christopher Nelson
Register Staff Writer

	Iowa Cubs pitcher Laddie Renfroe was in serious condition in the
intensive care unit at Presbyterian Hospital in Oklahoma City, Okla., 
Saturday, recovering from a head injury sustained prior to Friday's game 
against the Oklahoma City 89ers.
	Renfroe was playing catch when he was hit on the head with a ball
thrown by teammmate Scott Bryant, according to Iowa pitcher Steve Adkins,
who was near Renfroe at the time. 
	"He was on the left-field foul line in a squat like a catcher," 
Adkins said. "Scott Bryant [Cubs OF] was throwing off the (bullpen) 
mound and the ball got away from him. That's really about it. There
wasn't much time to react. The ball was thrown pretty hard.
	"He fell over and was on the ground when we got over to him. We
got the trainer out to him as quickly as we could and told him to
relax and we'd get an ambulance."
	Renfroe suffered a slight fracture to his skull, behind the
right ear. 
	Iowa Manager Brad Mills said after Saturday's loss to Denver that
Renfroe's wife, Kim, was on her way to Oklahoma City. 
	Iowa pitching coach Rick Kranitz has reamined with Renfroe
throughout the ordeal.
	Hospital spokesman Doug Bowling said Renfroe was "conscious, but
not coherent."
	"he's still talking a little jibberish- about the game- and that's
a concern at this point," Bowling said. "The nurses are really watching
him closely until they know the swelling will go down."
	"With any blow to the head, the swelling is the biggest part of it."
	"They felt the swelling had stabilized, but swelling still existed. 
It's expected to subside, but that's still somewhat speculative. There
are so many factors that contribute, such as the number of damaged
vessels, their positions, his blood type- the factors are numerous."
	Bowling declined to say whether the injury was life threatening.
	"Any blow to the head that hard could be," he said. "The nurse
had him lised in serious condition, which means there is some danger,
but he's not in critical condition. His vital signs have been good
throughout. 
	"The severity of the blow was enough to cause some neurological
damage or concern. As far as long-term effects, that may take some
time to be seen."
	Renfroe's stay in intensive care depends on the swelling. When
doctors are convinced the swelling has subsided and he has regained
coherency, he will be moved out of intensive care. 
	He is expected to remain in the hospital for at least another
week. 
	"The severity of its effect won't be known for a few days, if
not a week or so," Bowling said. "A good sign is that he's remained
conscious."
	Renfroe, 30, was born in Natchez, Miss., and makes his home in
Nashua, N.H. 
	He has been with the Iowa Cubs the past five seasons, and holds
franchise records of 191 appearances and 33 saves. 

---end of story---

	This has been really tough on some fans as today (Sunday) is the
home and season finale, and Laddie has made it clear that he will
retire if he does not get a major-league camp invite in the spring or
if he does not catch on with the AAA expansion team in Charlotte, NC,
Laddie's favorite part of the country. Laddie is the I-Cubs Dean, 
having spent five seasons here, and has become something of a crowd
favorite. He had an outstanding 1991, but has slumped in the bullpen
this season, giving up an extra-inning grad slam in his last home
appearance. He had been planning a special 'goodbye' for today's 
game, but would not divulge any details. It would seem that we'll 
never know. 

------------------
Mike McNarney
twap8@isuvax.bitnet
Iowa State University, USENET censors
Ames, Iowa 50013-0007
515/296-8797
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball