Bumgarner injury latest in long line of Bay Area sports mishaps – SFGate

http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Bumgarner-injury-latest-in-long-line-of-Bay-Area-11090548.php

Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner sprained his pitching shoulder and bruised his ribs in a dirt bike accident on Thursday’s off-day in Colorado, which makes him the latest in a long line of Bay Area sports figures who have succumbed to bizarre injuries suffered off the field. Here’s a quick look at some of the more memorable mishaps in Bay Area sports history:

Jeremy Affeldt (2011, 2012, 2015)

Affeldt holds a special place atop this list, having suffered three outlandish setbacks in an otherwise glorious career as a Giants relief pitcher. In 2011, he needed nerve repair surgery after cutting his hand while using a knife to separate frozen hamburger patties. In 2012, he damaged his knee after picking up his young son. And in 2015, he twisted his knee while playing with his sons in a lake in Washington. “Well, it’s another standard ‘me injury’ on an off day,” he said after the third incident.

Monta Ellis (2008)

The Warriors’ mercurial shooting guard injured his ankle during the offseason, telling the team it happened in a pickup basketball game. Later, Ellis admitted he hurt himself in a low-speed moped accident and had lied about it. The team eventually suspended Ellis for 30 games, costing him an estimated $3 million.

Jeff Kent (2002)

The Giants’ hard-hitting second baseman broke his left wrist during spring training, and initially told the team he had hurt it when he tumbled off a pickup truck he had been washing. It was later revealed that Kent actually injured himself in a motorcycle accident while popping wheelies near Scottsdale Stadium.

Carney Lansford (1990)

On New Year’s Eve 1990, the A’s third baseman tore two ligaments in his knee in a snowmobile accident on his property in Baker, Ore. The former batting champ missed the 1991 season, but the team chose not to withhold his salary.

Roger Metzger (1979)

Giants shortstop Roger Metzger cut off the tips of four fingers on his throwing hand in a gruesome power saw accident during the offseason. He tried to return to play in 1980, but he batted just .074 in 28 games before retiring at age 32.

Ron Bryant (1974)

In 1973, the Giants left-hander won 24 games during an outstanding campaign. In spring training the following year, he reportedly slipped off a hotel swimming pool slide, smacking the side of the pool before falling into the water. The fall opened a cut on his side that required 25 stitches, according to a UPI report. He went 3-15 that season and was out of the game the next year.