19
2012
Mets RHP Bret Mitchell Has Hip Surgery – Likely Out For Year
An article by 
I have been keeping in touch with a lot of the Mets minor leaguers this spring who are still working out down in extended spring training. They are competing for a spot on either Brooklyn, or Kingsport and the competition is absolutely fierce. For example, there are between 50 and 60 pitchers vying for what will boil down to 34 spots on the two pitching staffs.
One of those pitchers is a friend of mine, RHP Bret Mitchell who threw last season at Kingsport. He had a very good season as a starter there going 5-1 with a 2.95 ERA in seven GS. Bret is a terrific guy from Minnesota and he has put up excellent numbers since the Mets drafted him in the 12th round of the 2010 draft.
I knew his season ended a little early last year due to a problem with his hip, but this spring it was still bothering him. The coaches at extended shortened his stride to the plate to take pressure off the joint, but ultimately it would require surgery. The procedure was performed the other day and Bret was feeling well enough to reach out to me today and let me know what was going on.
“I got hip surgery yesterday it went well but I probably won’t be back this season. Just wanted to say thanks for your support and I’ll work hard to come back better than ever.”
I wished him luck with his rehab and assured him that he will be back next year. I’m sure Bret will appreciate the support of all of us Mets fans as he works his tail off to come back. Hang in there Bret, the time will go by fast and you’ll be back before you know it my friend. Get well soon!
About the Author: Peter Shapiro
The first time I went to Shea was not for a Mets game, it was for the Beatles concert there in August of '66. My first Met game was '67, a guy named Salty Parker was the interim-manager then. My first pennant race was 1969. As a 12 year-old that summer and fall, I managed to get to the park for 3 games. The first was the beginning of the Miracle which actually started on Tuesday July 8, 1969 with a day game against the Cubs. I was there a lot in '73. I saw games 3 & 5 of the 1973 NL Playoffs against the "Big Red Machine", from the upper deck behind home plate. It was from there that I witnessed the fight between Bud Harrelson and Pete Rose, and the mayhem that ensued. And that sweet victory in game 5! I saw a couple of WS games at Shea that year against that legendary Oakland A's club. I was there in 1985 for every single game Dr. K pitched including his two 16 strikeout performances, and the day he one-hit the Cubs on an infield single and the Mets won 1-0. I loved being a Met fan in those days. Hopefully we are once again preparing to emerge from the darkness.
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Based upon the number of times you made sure we all know you have a personal friendship with this pitcher, sounds like you want/need the recognition.
And while your support is noble and important, you’ve made a mistake in saying: “I wished him luck with his rehab and assured him that he will be back next year.”
Do you have mystical and magical powers to know what’s going to occur in the future such that you can legitimately assure him he’ll be back next season? Needing hip surgery at such a young age is not a good sign for longevity in this game.;
And lastly, since you wrote this article, Petey Piere, how come the “About the Author section, it’s Peter Schapiro’s.
LongTimeFan — Don’t forget the prunes with your breakfast . . . .
Hey LongTimeFan! I don’t have any idea what your a long time fan of, certainly your not a fan of being nice to people. So this one’s for you LongTime: I don’t know what your friggin problem is but you are a real a-hole. Why don’t you get a life for crying out loud because nobody wants to read your crap on here.
What a waste of bandwidth!
Long Time F…and the F isn’t short for fan thats for sure!
I wasn’t aware that wishing someone who got hurt a speedy recovery and offering words of encouragement required any mystical or magical powers. Especially when it’s a friend. But that’s just me.
Hey Joe I just got my Mystical Magical kit from ACME in the mail today so here is my Wish for you to get the heck out of hospital hell and back to home sweet home soon!
I would have done it sooner but I was fresh out of magical and Mystical and the local Shoprite doesn’t carry it!
The Walmart Stuff is all Chinese Mysticism and is not worth a damn for anything but lead poisoning!
LOL
Hahaha thanks Metsie.
No wonder the Waldbaums in my area closed down! I’m trying to get back as quickly as possible.
Joe D. I hope your well bud, i’d seen you were ill or hurt, you know i know all about that. get back soon and take care, i’ll talk to you via e-mail when you get back soon about writing for you again in the near future…stay well bud. m.
Hey, get well fast and come back STRONG, Bret!!!!
Good luck in your recovery. It’s going to be tough.