When Mets Collide

It's easy to think of baseball players and other pro athletes as adults who get paid a fortune for playing essentially a kids' game for part of the year. And they are.
But last week's collision between center fielder Carlos Beltran and right fielder Mike Cameron of the Mets at a game in San Diego is another reminder that pro-sports can be a dangerous business. Your or I might not dive for a grounder at a friendly softball game the way these two went at it, but the stakes are much higher for them, especially when their team is struggling to get out of last place before they are eliminated from contention.
Wherever there are fast-moving objects, like balls or 200-plus pound outfielders, involved there is the danger of serious injury, and it's extremly fortunate neither ended up with a life- or career-threatening injury, although Cameron as of Wednesday remains hospitalized and Beltran, though anxious to get back on the field, may need facial surgery. An impact of that nature could easily result in a neck or spinal injury if not brain damage.
Worse than the physical damage is the mental harm to the way they'll play the game in the future. How can either one of these guys ever dive after a grounder again and keep their eyes on the ball, rather than their nearest teammates?
These guys deserve credit for working hard and taking risks, and it will be great to see them both back in action soon.