Joe Mauer: Concussions blurred vision, affected hitting
It’s been over two years since Joe Mauer suffered his most recent concussion, but he says the repercussions of his head injuries have affected his play for the last two seasons.
Mauer told the Pioneer Press that the effects of his most recent concussion, suffered in August 2013, lingered for two seasons.
“I don’t want that to be kind of an excuse. If I’m out there, I’m out there. That’s just the way I am,” Mauer said of the impacts. “There are times I’ve gone up to the plate and I just couldn’t pick up the ball. That’s part of the frustration because I’m trying to do everything I can to get back. It just takes time.”
According to Mauer, sunshine sometimes triggered blurred vision, causing him to have issues picking up the ball. It’s why he is experimenting with sunglasses while hitting during spring training.
“”ome of the exercises we tried to do last year, I’d come up and be like, ‘Whoa.’ Now it’s gradually getting better,” Mauer said. “I’m excited for that. That’s why I’m excited to get down there and try some different things.
“It could be a lot of things,” Mauer stated. “There are so many different symptoms. For me it was lighting, I couldn’t really pick up the ball. It was blurry at times. Where I am here versus last year at this time, I can tell my workouts are better.”
It has already been stated that Mauer will never catch again due to the risks of repeat concussions. This only drives home why.
