JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -- Considering the scorn heaped upon Scott Cousins, it's no wonder his back gave out last summer.
Injury and infamy made 2011 difficult
for Cousins, a reserve outfielder with the Miami Marlins. He's healthy
again and glad time has tempered the hostility directed his way after he
collided in May with San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey, who
suffered a season-ending left leg injury.
Cousins' season ended less than three
weeks later because of a herniated disc unrelated to the collision. He's
not eager to revisit a period that was painful in more ways than one.
"It's past," he said Monday. "That was last year. This is a new season for me and Buster."
Posey has recovered from the injury,
which included a broken bone and three torn ankle ligaments. Giants fans
vilified Cousins, who endured death threats and a bout of depression
while expressing only remorse for what happened.
"He's a nicer guy than me," teammate Logan Morrison said. "It was difficult for me watching him go through it."
Cousins insists moving beyond the
episode wasn't difficult, because he did nothing wrong. When Posey tried
to block the plate, Cousins slammed into him and scored the winning
run.
"I know in my heart what I did was the right play," Cousins said. "You can look yourself in the mirror for that."
However, while Posey has watched
replays multiple times, Cousins said he has never seen the play. He
apologized repeatedly for the outcome and tried to contact Posey, but
they've had no communication.
"He has moved on, and I wish him the best," Cousins said. "He seems healthy. Good for him."
Posey, the 2010 NL Rookie of the Year,
is back on the field at Giants camp in Arizona. Cousins is also back
after an offseason of rehabilitation, his status tenuous.
He's one of five veterans competing for
one or two backup outfield jobs. The other candidates include 2007
All-Star Aaron Rowand, 2009 NL Rookie of the Year Chris Coghlan, Austin
Kearns and Bryan Petersen.
Cousins said his goal is to crack the
starting lineup -- unlikely on a team touted as a playoff contender. But
he said he won't be discouraged if he finds himself in the minors on
opening day.
"It's not a big blow," Cousins said.
"Everybody knows this is a long season, and just because you don't start
the season in the big leagues doesn't mean you're not going to be there
soon."
The former third-round draft pick is
left-handed and an excellent defensive player, which helps his chances.
But in 89 career at-bats over the past two seasons, his average is .202
with one home run.
A .200 hitter doesn't usual attract the
notoriety that Cousins experienced after the collision that was
dissected by baseball pundits nationwide. Pete Rose and Johnny Bench
defended Cousins, while Giants general manager Brian Sabean was harshly
critical, although he later backtracked.
When the Giants failed to make the playoffs after winning the World Series in 2010, many of their fans blamed Cousins.
"As a younger player, to go through
something like that, it can be tough," said Rowand, who was with the
Giants last season. "But Scott didn't do anything wrong, and Buster
knows that.
"There were a lot of emotions at the
time, but I'm sure there are no hard feelings. He was playing the game
right. The catcher was between him and the plate. Most of the guys on
our team didn't think it was a dirty play."
Coincidentally, Cousins grew up a
Giants fan and played at the University of San Francisco. He returns to
the campus every winter to work out and did so again this past
offseason, training a couple of miles from the Giants' ballpark.
He got engaged, and a rigorous therapy
program helped his back, which bothered him for a couple of years. He
grew a beard -- now gone -- and said no Giants fans hassled him.
"I was recognized a few times, but it was all pleasant," he said. "Everything was supportive. There was no negativity."
The collision will be nearly a year in
the past when the Marlins return to San Francisco at the beginning of
May. Cousins would love to earn a seat on that flight.
