Guitar Hero benches big leaguer
by Kyle Orland 
{ Dec 14th 2006 at 11:25AM }
When Detroit Tigers pitcher Joel Zumaya was benched during October's American League Championship series with inflammation in his right arm, Tigers Athletic Director Kevin Rand theorized it was because the pitcher was "playing in different times now, different weather." Turns out the actual problem was not different weather but a different game -- specifically, Guitar Hero.The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Tigers manager Dave Dombrowski told WXYT-AM yesterday that Zumaya's injury recurrence came from excessive virtual guitar shredding, not from excessive baseball throwing. Once the Tigers training staff realized the injuries were "more consistent with the action of a guitar player than a baseball pitcher," Zumaya stopped playing the game and recovered in time to pitch in three World Series games.
We can't help but question Zumaya's priorities here. While pitching in the World Series is important, think of the damage done to Zumaya's Guitar Hero career during this hiatus. We can only hope practice and hard work during the off-season will bring him back to top shredding form.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DeezNuts420 @ Dec 14th 2006 11:37AM
What the Hell is Guitar Hero??????!!!!!
spaceboy @ Dec 14th 2006 2:01PM
WE LOST THE FUCKING WORLD SERIES BECAUSE OF GUITAR HERO?! THAT'S IT. IM GOING TO WRITE A STRONG LETTER TO MR. SONY.
Snowman @ Dec 14th 2006 11:46AM
I wonder how he was holding the virtual guitar to receive the kind of injury that would cause him to miss games.
Yaktastic @ Dec 14th 2006 11:48AM
you have 420 in your handle, and you don't know what gh is? (i realize that is liekly a troll)
basically it is DDR, but instead of bounding around on a floor mat, you have a small guitar shaped controller... it rocks
get some friends who are a little more active (not much, just a little) and pick up a cheapo PS2 and GH and GHII, it's great
Justin Hopewell @ Dec 14th 2006 11:49AM
I notice my left arm gets sore when I play the game more than my right arm, which is doing the strumming, and what would seem, more strenous muscle activity. I think it has to do with the length of the neck. Its so damn short that my hand is in an unnatural position. I've played real guitar for about 3 years and my arm never hurts the way it does after I play GH. Anyone know if those third party guitars have longer necks? And, if so, do they work with GH:2?
-justin
rcf1105 @ Dec 14th 2006 11:51AM
Hey, it happens. I pinched a nerve while throwing the horns after beating "Freebird" for the first time and my arm was numb all of that night.
Bryan T @ Dec 14th 2006 11:53AM
However, maybe all the GH he was playing helped him to throw 103 MPH. Maybe he had weights on his controller? Not a bad idea.
Go Tigers
Yaktastic @ Dec 14th 2006 11:57AM
My left arm also gets tired (especially with the long chordsections - alice in chains is the bain of my existence) but it think it is a combination os seating position, separationg of buttons and the pressure requirements. with a god setup on an electric guitar you barely have to press down, and only need to get the strings to rest on the frets, with GH you need to evenly depress the buttons with enough strength to trigger the switch. (the hawaiian steel rectangular neck doesn't help either)
upirons @ Dec 14th 2006 11:57AM
Funny, I have never been injured playing guitar. Not guitar hero, actual guitar!!
Snowman @ Dec 14th 2006 12:01PM
Same here upirons and justin, can't remember being injured playing. Maybe gripping the neck too tight. Whoo knows. "you have 420 in your handle, and you don't know what gh is?" - that was funny
Buckshot @ Dec 14th 2006 12:02PM
That must be why the Tigers suck and got pwn3d.
Matt @ Dec 14th 2006 12:07PM
Imagine if he played wii sports? I bet he could put a hole clear through a HD CRT if he threw a 103-mph wiimote fastball.
Yaktastic @ Dec 14th 2006 12:08PM
I have only had one injury from real guitar, but that was not really may guitars fault... mostly my clumsiness... but it think it holds true that though GH is great (love playing it and guitar) the controller shape is enough of a departure from the hundreds of years of luthier innovation that stress injuries and tiredness are definatley a factor. But i have a few close friends who have also suffered the same things with their real guitars... a lot of it comes form your play style... i find play GH with a classical style (guitar resting between legs, 45 degrees upright and ising the wieght of your hand rather than squeezing to depress the "strings" is actaully a little bit more difficult to get right than a simple neck deathgrip
DeezNuts420 @ Dec 14th 2006 12:45PM
@ 3
I was being Sarcastic!
NeuralLink @ Dec 14th 2006 2:32PM
Some people aren't hard enough to be gamers.
Buckshot's doctor @ Dec 14th 2006 1:55PM
Buckshot mailed me to admit he meant to write "That must be why the Tigers pwn" but his recurring bouts with retardation were flaring up at the time.
Richard @ Dec 14th 2006 4:46PM
Awesome to see a local article on this site.
DETROIT PWNS! Go TIGERS!!
Riley @ Dec 14th 2006 4:48PM
Haha. We made it to the World Series, and got our asses kicked because of Guitar Hero.
Michigan just plain sucks...Probably the worst state, second only to Florida.
Donald @ Dec 14th 2006 5:19PM
"WE LOST THE FUCKING WORLD SERIES BECAUSE OF GUITAR HERO?! THAT'S IT. IM GOING TO WRITE A STRONG LETTER TO MR. SONY."
Yes, because it's Sony's fault Detroit's pitchers developed butterfingers every time the ball was hit to them.
Jet242 @ Dec 16th 2006 12:41AM
GH > baseball
sambo7 @ Dec 24th 2006 3:35PM
What shocks me is that there are actually people on this planet that would engage in playing this game(?)... I have been in stores like best buy, etc. and witnessed this phenomena. If they could only see what they look like. But then i have to remind myself i live in the USA and there is no end to the dumb shit that goes on. I guess they feel that they are actually playing a guitar, since they obviously lack the talent to play a real one.
Lumpy @ Dec 15th 2006 10:58AM
Send gh to the Yankees!
SE @ Jan 2nd 2007 4:41PM
What shocks me is that you are too stupid to realize that
some people don't obsess over how they look to the rest of the world and just like to have a little fun. You probably drive a "European Sedan" and sip Lates. Pardon the masses for not being talented like you. Last, but not least , if you don't like living in the USA, feel free to move to Mexico, Somalia, anywhere, I am sure you will find that more in tune with your intellect.