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We've been on Darren Dreifort's case a lot lately, but you can't help but feel for the guy. For the fourth consecutive year, Dreifort will stop pitching early because of a season-ending injury. Sure, signing Dreifort to a 5-year $55 million contract in 2000 was pure lunacy, but even the most pessimistic fans could not have foreseen that Dreifort would have a second address at the hospital. Here is the Dreifort file over his 10-year career:
2 Tommy John Reconstructive Elbow surgeries
4 Arthroscopic Knee Operations
1 Arthroscopic Right Hip Operation
2 Scheduled Surgeries to treat a Grade 2 ACL Sprain.
The legendary Dr. Frank Jobe summed it up best: "He has not done well as far as connective tissue."
Darren Dreifort was once a pitcher with all the talent in the world, who the Seattle Mariners nearly took over Alex Rodriguez in the 1994 Draft out of Wichita State. Today, he is not only damaged goods, rather he's like a Porsche that keeps crashing into a brick wall, and goes to the body shop every few months, running a little worse each time.
Still, LAist will be sending Dreifort a "Get Well Soon" card.
