News
McCann back with prescription glasses
Catcher believes he's found solution to vision problems
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
05/08/09 6:48 PM ET
PHILADELPHIA -- Wearing his new prescription sports glasses and provided the opportunity to return to the Braves' lineup, Brian McCann arrived at Citizens Bank Park on Friday with that same upbeat personality that he's displayed throughout most of his young career."I'm just glad to have a uniform on again," said McCann, who was activated from the disabled list in time to return to his regular duties as Braves catcher for Friday night's series opener against the Phillies.
Over the past month, McCann grew more agitated and irritated about the fact that he couldn't find a remedy to cure the blurred vision and dry sensation he was experiencing in his left eye. He began experiencing problems on Opening Night and was placed on the DL two weeks ago, retroactive to April 23.
Courtesy of glasses that are essentially the clear version of the Oakley sunglasses that many players wear, the All-Star catcher believe he's found a solution that will allow him the opportunity to resume his role as one of the game's top offensive catchers.
"Everything is going to be fine," said McCann, who tested his new glasses while going 1-for-3 with Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday night. "I'll reassess this at the end of the season. I'll see if cleaning the lenses gets old after the first few innings."
It's going to take McCann a few days to get used to playing with the glasses, and he's somewhat concerned about the reality that heat and perspiration will occasionally cause his lenses to become foggy.
As a defense, McCann has ordered another pair of glasses that are expected to arrive next week. Having an extra set could prove beneficial in a number of instances, primarily those occasions when he returns to the dugout and is due to bat first during the next half-inning.
McCann's blurred vision was a result of the fact that his vision has changed since he underwent Lasik surgery after the 2007 season. The slight change primarily proved to be a problem when he was batting and attempting to track pitches without knowing exactly what type of pitch was thrown.
McCann plans to utilize the glasses while he's catching. But if they prove to be a deterrent, he believes his vision is good enough to track the pitches that he's called without them.
Braves manager Bobby Cox opted to keep Garret Anderson in the cleanup spot for Friday night's game. McCann could return to that role in the near future. Thursday night's game with Gwinnett was the first the 25-year-old catcher had played in eight days.
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com/ This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
