Dr. Arthur Pappas, the Red Sox team physician and a co-owner
of the team, was ordered by a U.S. District Court jury to pay
$1.7M in damages to former Red Sox player Marty Barrett,
according to this morning's BOSTON GLOBE. Barrett had charged
that his career was shortened after Pappas never informed him of
the seriousness of an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament in
his right knee. The team was not included in the suit. Barrett,
who was seeking $15M, said he feels the verdict could lead some
players to seek a second opinion rather than rely on the
diagnosis of the team doctor (Jim Greenidge, BOSTON GLOBE,
10/26). The BOSTON HERALD's Joe Giuliotti writes the verdict
"raises the question of a possible conflict of interest for a
part-owner of a sports team who is also its physician and making
decisions about whether players are able to perform." While the
jury found Pappas guilty of negligence in treatment, the judge
"said no evidence was introduced showing Pappas was acting in the
ballclub's best interest and not the patient's, as Barrett's
attorney had claimed." Pappas' attorneys are considering an
appeal (BOSTON HERALD, 10/26).
