Spring Break
Diamond Dogs join necklace trend
MICHAEL FITZPATRICK
Issue date: 4/21/09 Section: Sports
They range in price from $20 to $100 and are invading baseball clubhouses across the globe.
No they aren't bats, but necklaces - Phiten necklaces.
The necklaces are laced with titanium, regulate the body's blood flow and "help to alleviate discomfort, speed recovery and counteract fatigue. Athletes find that they tire less easily and recover faster from intense physical activity," according to the Phiten Web site.
When: 5 tonight
Where: Foley Field
Admission: Free with UGA ID
Nowhere is safe, especially Foley Field, where about half of the players on the Georgia baseball team wear them.
"I usually wear it around my neck," freshman third baseman Colby May said. "I think it works, but other people just think it's a placebo effect."
The Phiten jewelry comes in an assortment of colors and styles and can be worn around the neck, wrist or ankles. Surprisingly, it is often the design that draws some players into the craze, such as junior closer Dean Weaver.
"A bunch of people wear it and I thought it was pretty cool and I hadn't had a necklace in forever," Weaver said. "So I got online and I saw that [MLB pitchers] A.J. Burnett and Josh Beckett, my heroes of course, wear them so I just figured, 'Hey, why not follow in their footsteps' and I got it. It's a kind of a cool looking necklace, I'm not sure if it really works and increases the blood flow like it's supposed to, but I think it looks pretty good on me."
Though May swears he's worn one since his sophomore year of high school, senior catcher Bryce Massanari refuses to join the Phiten hysteria.
"I'm not one to believe that a necklace is going to make the blood flow better or whatever they are supposed to do, so more power to them," Massanari said.
Then there are players such as senior pitcher Trevor Holder, who just don't understand what the necklaces are supposed to do.
"I don't know anything about them so I asked our trainer about them, and I was so confused as to why everybody wears them if they don't do anything," Holder said with a laugh. "But he's old school and he doesn't think they work."
Holder didn't rule out the possibility of purchasing one in the future, but not because he believes they work.
"I may get one just to see what's going on, because Dean's pitching [is] unbelievable and Joey's hitting home runs, so I may get one just to have that vibe," he said.
Although Massanari said a number of the players wearing the necklaces are performing well, he said his decision was unwavering.
"Ah, no," he said flatly. "I don't have enough money; I have a baby at home."
No they aren't bats, but necklaces - Phiten necklaces.
The necklaces are laced with titanium, regulate the body's blood flow and "help to alleviate discomfort, speed recovery and counteract fatigue. Athletes find that they tire less easily and recover faster from intense physical activity," according to the Phiten Web site.
DIAMOND DOGS
Who: Georgia vs. Kennesaw StateWhen: 5 tonight
Where: Foley Field
Admission: Free with UGA ID
Nowhere is safe, especially Foley Field, where about half of the players on the Georgia baseball team wear them.
"I usually wear it around my neck," freshman third baseman Colby May said. "I think it works, but other people just think it's a placebo effect."
The Phiten jewelry comes in an assortment of colors and styles and can be worn around the neck, wrist or ankles. Surprisingly, it is often the design that draws some players into the craze, such as junior closer Dean Weaver.
"A bunch of people wear it and I thought it was pretty cool and I hadn't had a necklace in forever," Weaver said. "So I got online and I saw that [MLB pitchers] A.J. Burnett and Josh Beckett, my heroes of course, wear them so I just figured, 'Hey, why not follow in their footsteps' and I got it. It's a kind of a cool looking necklace, I'm not sure if it really works and increases the blood flow like it's supposed to, but I think it looks pretty good on me."
Though May swears he's worn one since his sophomore year of high school, senior catcher Bryce Massanari refuses to join the Phiten hysteria.
"I'm not one to believe that a necklace is going to make the blood flow better or whatever they are supposed to do, so more power to them," Massanari said.
Then there are players such as senior pitcher Trevor Holder, who just don't understand what the necklaces are supposed to do.
"I don't know anything about them so I asked our trainer about them, and I was so confused as to why everybody wears them if they don't do anything," Holder said with a laugh. "But he's old school and he doesn't think they work."
Holder didn't rule out the possibility of purchasing one in the future, but not because he believes they work.
"I may get one just to see what's going on, because Dean's pitching [is] unbelievable and Joey's hitting home runs, so I may get one just to have that vibe," he said.
Although Massanari said a number of the players wearing the necklaces are performing well, he said his decision was unwavering.
"Ah, no," he said flatly. "I don't have enough money; I have a baby at home."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
CoastalDawg
posted 4/21/09 @ 10:18 AM EST
I LOVE Massanari's statement about having a baby at home; he has his priorities in the right place.
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