Today I had microscopic surgery on my left knee to repair a torn meniscus.  Thanks to the injury, I learned a new word.  Previously, I might have assumed that a meniscus was a creature that lived deep in the ocean or maybe an engine part for my car that would cost thousands to be replaced.  Turns out it's the medical term for the cartilage found in the human knee. 

The tear occurred while I was playing basketball at the gym, or maybe when playing softball in cleats.  Then again, at this stage of my life, it could have happened while simply walking up a staircase.

Look closely at the top of the photo; they let me keep the hip, blue surgery socks!

Following the surgery, I was placed on painkillers and told to lie on my back with my leg raised in the air.  Cool, I thought.  Finally I get to spend an afternoon in the same state and position that Lindsay Lohan enjoys most every day.

While dozing off in between dosages of my painkillers (people actually take these recreationally??), I was able to watch even more television sports than my typical daily allowance.  (And, yes, they are still talking about Brett Favre beating Green Bay at Lambeau Field on Sunday.)  Still my leg may be in less pain today than the hand of Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino or the ego of former Cleveland Browns general manager, George Kokinis.

And I can still run faster than Bengie Molina.

With a leg unable to bend until later in the week, I can also avoid doing what Phillies pitcher, Cole Hamels had recently done - inserting his foot into his mouth.  After his lackluster performance in Game 3 of the World Series and when asked about his postseason struggles, Hamels said, "I can't wait for it to end. It's been mentally draining."

And to Phillies fans that quote left a worse taste in their mouths than a Philly cheese steak sandwich made with E. coli contaminated beef.

But what was so wrong with Cole's admission?

In this era of sports cliché's and predictable postgame interviews, Hamels' honesty is a breath of fresh air.  And for any of you Philadelphia fans traveling to the Bronx for Game 6, you might want to take a last sniff of one.  Cole was frustrated and, like the rest of us real people, he vented.  He also did so without taking a swipe at others.

Have you ever, in a moment of anger, said something negative about your job, your friends or a family member?  I have just today (I'll leave you guessing at which one).

But the good news (and, I suppose, the bad news too) for Cole is that these same Philadelphia fans that are upset today will be forgetful tomorrow.  Just last season, Hamels was the MVP of the first Philadelphia Phillies World Series championship in 28 years.

So please don't let the negative publicity stop you from being genuine in the future, Cole.  I'm okay with what you said.

Or, then again, maybe it's just the painkillers speaking for me.