Watching Brandon Phillips these last two days (and for the second half of last year) it got me thinking about playing hurt.
Obviously over a 162 game season everyone will play through aches and pains. But, there is also a point where you are hurting the team by playing hurt, if for no other reason than you are being put in a position (the 3rd spot in the order in this case) to perform but are in obvious pain.
Pete Rose has said he has played injured on many occasions because his next contract was related directly to his performance the previous year and missing games meant missing money.
Where do you stand on a player playing hurt? Do you admire someone like Phillips who will strap it up and play even when he's hurting or do you think it hurts the team? When should a manager step in?