Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins has a clogged kidney. Not your usual baseball injury, but it's interesting nonetheless. Joe had surgery at the vaunted Mayo Clinic, which makes sense since he's in Minnesota.

The press reports haven't noted Joe's exact condition, but they did mention one critical point. Twins' General Manager Bill Smith said:

It's something he's had since birth. It is something that has bothered him more lately. Everything went fine and he will be ready for the season.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas is a big dude. He runs 7 foot 3 and comes in at 260 pounds. He's on the disabled list for the Cleveland Caviliers for at least a month with a bone chip in his ankle. Interesting. Why? Well, he has a history of foot problems and this is just the latest.

Photo Credit: Keith Allison
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Who knew Jake Delhomme had Tommy John surgery? Somehow I missed this, but now that I know about it I thought it'd be a good idea to take some time to explain the procedure.

Tommy John surgery is actually the replacement of ulnar collateral ligament with another ligament in your body. Simple explanation: elbow ligament replaced with a leg ligament. Now, you don't have to use a leg ligament, but they tend to be the better choice. 

Photo Credit: noahwood
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With the advent of a new year, the rage is to do a polar bear plunge for charity. This is when a group of seemingly normal people decide to to jump into freezing cold water. They do this in the dead of winter and enjoy the experience. One of the participants from this year said:

You have no clue as to what we are about to do. These people are getting ready (to take the plunge), and we don't have a plan.

Love it. 

Photo Credit: Scott Butner
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The St. Louis Rams are in horrible shape in not only the standings, but injured players. The personification of their injuries is Steven Jackson. Jackson was hailed as a perfect example of the new breed of running back when he was drafted in 2004. Big, brutal, but fast and smart, Jackson was to herald in a new era of rushing.

He's failed. 

The question that always swirls around Steven Jackson is his heart or commitment level. His toughness. If you look at his career statistics he hasn't been the workhorse people thought he would. 

Photo Credit: Stapp
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