As a Boston sports fan (since my youth), I found 2010 hard to stomach. Injuries plagued the Boston teams, derailing potentially good or great seasons.
It all started during Week 17 of the Patriots’ season when Wes Welker blew out his knee. Surely this did not strike a death blow to the Patriots’ season, but it sure hurt. There were a number of problems that were exposed in that playoff debacle against the Ravens. But you have to wonder how a healthy Welker may have changed the outcome.
The Bruins seemed to be rolling along in the playoffs.. They were up 3-0 on the Flyers and seemed in position to move ahead. But 2 important things happened. 1st, one of Philly’s best players returned to action for Game 4, and in Game 3 David Krejci was injured for the Bruins (another in a long line of Bruins’ seasons ended by the thuggery of the Broadway Bullies). His loss was pivotal as the Flyers won 4 straight against a Krejci-less Bruins team.
The Celtics were leading the 2010 NBA Finals against the Lakers 3 – 2. When Perkins blew out his knee, all that changed. Unable to keep the Lakers off the boards, and expecting too much time from Davis & Wallace, the Celtics withered down the stretch of Game 7. Perkins’ injury changed the series.
Then there was the Red Sox Bridge Year, or Lost Year. They had a promising line up and rotation heading into the season. They were expected to win 95 games and compete for the division. They expectations were high. Then Andre Beltre took out Jacoby Ellsbury for the season. Then Mike Cameron tore a muscle that would require surgical repair. A red-hot Josh Beckett hurt his back against the Yankees and was horrendous the rest of the year. Victor Martinez broke a thumb, and then ‘Tek broke his foot. Pedroia broke a bone in his foot that would require surgery. Then it was Youk whose season was ended with an injury. Scutaro would play on, despite a neck injury, but a shoulder injury finally ended his season. New catcher Jerrod Saltalamacchia would have a short season due to a thumb injury that required surgery. The battered Red Sox limped into 3rd place in the highly competitive AL East.
The 2010-11 season for the Patriots started out the way it ended. A number of players expected to start or contribute ended up on the IR list before the preseason was even done. It looked very bad when Kevin Faulk blew … his knee. But Danny Woodhouse turned into a surprisingly productive replacement. Players continued to hit the IR, but the Patriots continued to find ways to win. Hopefully their injuries on the defensive line won’t derail an otherwise excellent season (after Moss was shipped out and Branch returned).
The Celtics have been the walking wounded. Perkins wouldn’t see the court due to his knee. Both his replacements, the O’Neal boys, would miss games with a variety of knee and leg injuries. Delonte West, considered an important player off the bench, would break his wrist in a fall. Rondo, already suffering from a variety of injuries, would sprain his ankle and end up missing about 2 weeks. Still they won games, until a rejuvenated KG went down with a calf injury.
This is why, when I think of the 2010 sports year, I think of injuries. I think of lost opportunities as a result of a seemingly endless string of injuries. Here’s hoping that 2011 is nothing like 2010 in that regard.
Cavman Considers 
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