An already painful season for the Texas Rangers turned even worse Monday when All-Star catcher Ivan Rodriguez was lost for the rest of the season with a broken right thumb. Rodriguez, who was American League MVP last season, broke the thumb while trying to make a throw to second base in the first inning of a 6-5 loss to Anaheim at The Ballpark in Arlington. His hand hit the bat of Anaheim's hard-swinging Mo Vaughn, who was finishing his backswing. Rodriguez said he immediately lost all feeling in the hand, then saw it swell. This is what happens when a team is going bad,'' Rodriguez said.
Bad things happen.
There is always next year. I have a strong mind. This is not going to affect me. Pins will be inserted into the thumb to aid the healing. According to Rangers medical director Dr. John Conway, the healing process is likely to take six to 10 weeks.