Alex Torres, the San Diego Padres reliever who made history by becoming the first pitcher to wear a protective skull cap during a game this year, is hoping more pitchers will be proactive and make the move to the skull cap next season.
"I think more guys are going to think about it next year," said Torres during a conference call on Thursday, "I think you will see a couple more guys wearing the hat."
Torres began wearing the cap, which is produced by isoBLOX, during a relief appearance on June 21 and the skull cap he wore in that game is now on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. It is part of the "This Year in Baseball" case of the "Today's Game" exhibit.
He recalls that first game was a tough one, especially because of the size of the cap, which is basically an oversized baseball cap with a high-tech protective lining.
"At the beginning when I started using it, I didn't feel really comfortable," said Torres. "A lot of people were laughing at me, but after a couple days I started feeling great because I am protecting myself, doing something for myself."
Torres, who is 2-1 with a 3.06 ERA in 68 appearances this season, took the right approach, thinking he could be the next pitcher hit in the head.
"You never know, It could be me," he said. "I don't want to wait until somebody hits me in the head. Why not be safe."
Fortunately for him, he wasn't the next pitcher hit. Instead it was Florida reliever Dan Jennings, who was hit in the head on Aug. 8. It was at that point, Torres spoke to his friend, Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez.
"I said, 'Man, you got to wear that, you are in the game longer than me,'" said Torres. "I am in for only one, two hitters. I told him you should wear this."
Torres, who says some of his teammates are thinking about using the skull cap, next season, adds he wants to pitch for a long time, so wearing the cap is important to him. He wants to stay healthy, but hopes that at least the pitchers who have been hit consider wearing the cap next season.
"That's the idea," said Torres. "I hope a lot more pitchers start using it, especially the guys who have been hit in the head."
Torres says that as a professional he's had a number of "close calls," but recalls a time as a teenager when he was hit in the head as a batter as a factor to why he made the move to the cap.
"I was hit in the back of the head, right below the helmet," said Torres. "My eyes were open and everything was black. I don't want that feeling again."
For now, Torres is committed to his safety.
"I will wear the hat the rest of my career," he concluded.
[SportsNetwork.com]
