the end is near

Sadly, we may have seen the last of Roy Oswalt in the major leagues. There are published reports today that the Philadelphia Phillies right-hander from Weir and Holmes Community College is “pondering his future” after leaving Thursday’s game early with back problems. Oswalt, who’ll turn 34 in August, already has spent time on the disabled list this season with back trouble; he has two degenerative discs. Back problems have spelled the end for many a great athlete. Some can play hurt, sure, but a pitcher really can’t. Oswalt is 4-6 with a 3.79 ERA for the Phillies this season, not what the club was expecting from one of its heralded four aces. And not what Oswalt, a fierce and prideful competitor, was expecting either. If this is indeed the end, then we’ll soon be celebrating a career that ranks with the best of any Mississippi-born hurler. Oswalt is 154-89 for his career with a 3.20 ERA. He posted two 20-win seasons during his days with Houston and led the Astros to the 2005 World Series. He was good.