Cardinal Has Knee Surgery, Inspires Barbaro-Like Fandom

Or we can all hope, at least.

Yes, the city’s highest Catholic leader is at home recovering from surgery, just like Barbaro. And… well, okay, that’s about it. Rigali won’t attract the same kind of attention as the horse, because he never won anybody any money on a trifecta. (Okay, Philly Park in ‘98. But that was kind of a fluke place by his holiness.)

Press release from the Archdiocese late last week:

CARDINAL RIGALI HAS KNEE SURGERY

Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, underwent successful surgery on his right knee earlier this morning. The Cardinal has a torn meniscus. Dr. David Rubenstein performed the surgery at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Montgomery County. This was an outpatient, arthroscopic surgery. Cardinal Rigali returned to his residence several hours after the surgery and will work from home during his recovery. The Cardinal will resume his public appointments schedule on October 29, 2006.

Fortunately for Rigali, he won’t have a band of idiots tracking his every move like Barbaro. He will get a nice supply of healthy oats and regular walks around the yard, though.

Oct. 16: I Now Pronounce You Barbaro And Wife