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For reasons which I bet are more psychological than physical, some members of the Boston Red Sox, spurred on by Japanese pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima, have taken to wearing socks with slots for each toe sewn into them, according to a New York Times story by David Picker.
Other players have joined the toe socks brigade as well.
The socks, which fit like a glove with each toe individually encased, were met with curiosity in Boston’s clubhouse during spring training. Before long, Matsuzaka began offering pairs to anyone who expressed an interest. And a number of players did, including Mike Lowell, Álex Cora and Doug Mirabelli, who are now playing in them regularly. Looking for a reason for Boston’s great start to the season? Maybe it is the socks.
“At first they feel kind of weird,” Mirabelli said. “They got some sticky things on the bottom, like little kids would have on the bottom of their socks. But you get used to them.”
The socks that Matsuzaka wears are covered with hundreds of tiny rubbery beads on the sole for better traction. As for Okajima, the individual toe slots help with his balance because he can firmly grip each toe, he said.
Hideki Matsui of the Yankees wears similar socks as does Takashi Saito of the Dodgers.
I don't believe such socks are available at Wal-Mart in a package of 12 for $5.
Jay Johnstone:
http://www.andreaharner.com/archives/WeirdSocks2.jpg
Juan Pierre
http://www.andreaharner.com/archives/Weirdsocks1.jpg
Nolan Ryan, Mike Scott, Jose Cruz:
http://www.istockphoto.com/imageindex/975/7/975737/Silly_Socks.html
David Wells:
http://blog.iheartbikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/sock_002.jpg
*all of which are completely fabricated. (Groan)
Now the rubbery material is interesting. Less slosh within the shoe might lead to better balance.
Or maybe it was just wishful thinking on my part.
I would give them a try if I had the chance.
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