Adrian Beltre goes on DL after being hit in the balls (but there's more...)

Adrian Beltre has a reputation as a slick fielding third baseman. He possesses great range, soft hands and a cannon for throwing arm. Adrian may have been been too confident in his fielding abilities though, and it could cost him a month or even the rest of the season.

On Wednesday, fate kicked him where it hurts. Beltre said he is likely to have surgery and will miss at least three weeks. In the ninth inning Wednesday night at Safeco Field, Beltre took the brunt of a hard grounder by the White Sox' Alexei Ramirez to the groin area. Beltre recovered the baseball but threw wildly to first base for an error. He remained in the game, but labored for three more at-bats. Amazingly, he collected a single in the 14th inning and scored the winning run on Ken Griffey Jr.'s single.

On Thursday, Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu, shaking his head in bewilderment, announced Beltre would be placed on the disabled list with a torn right testicle and was even more stunned when told that Beltre does not wear an athletic supporter, better known as a cup that protects the groin area.

Beltre has never worn a cup, telling reporters in past years that it was uncomfortable. And for the past 11 seasons, he has gotten away with it because of those quick hands. As to whether he'll wear a cup when he returns, the third baseman wasn’t sure.

"That's a good question, I don't know. If it happens every 10 years and you get hit there, it's not bad. I have never been hit right on the spot. It's been close, which hurt but not right on one of the testicles. So this was my first."

So let me get this straight. This guy stands 90 feet from the batter’s box (sometimes less), doesn’t wear a cup, gets hit in the nutz – it’s bad enough that he may need surgery, and he doesn’t know if he’s gonna wear a cup when he gets out there again?!?!

ADRIAN, YOU HAVE A BALL CONTUSION! YOUR HUDAT TORE AWAY FROM YOUR WATTCHAMACALLIT!

You know what Adrian, you deserve to get hit it the other testicle on the first ground ball that comes your way! I hate to kick a guy when he’s down, but you sound like a moron. It’s like a police officer getting shot in the abdomen while wearing no bullet proof vest, then when he gets back to work goes out on the street with no vest again!

I don’t get it, I just don’t get it. I guess at this point Adrian is looking forward to the “happy ending” rehabilitation massages…….- Keith A. Baker

Keith A. Baker is a sports agent in Stamford, Connecticut. His goal is to offer a unique insight to the world of sports and Major League Baseball in particular. Comments in his columns are for entertainment purposes only and do not reflect the views and opinions of his firm or his clients.