“Nobody’s at home, I want you to go. Nobody’s at home.”
That’s what Josh Hamilton heard while standing at third, watching a teammate fly out on a foul ball. Hamilton, a naturally aggressive player, had his reservations. However, he listened to third-base coach Dave Anderson, and took off for home.
Now, would it have been acceptable for Hamilton to have further questioned his coach and stay planted on third base, unscathed? After all, coaches are supposed to be the logistical authorities, making sure that ‘aggressive’ doesn’t mean ‘slide headfirst into stupidity’ at home plate. So there should have been zero doubt, right?
How about taking into consideration that Detroit Tigers catcher Victor Martinez was only a couple strides away from home plate. All he needed was a light toss from Brandon Inge to tag Hamilton out at home – and he did. The close play called for a head-first slide.
Anyone who watches Hamilton knows he gets after it, and will do nothing short of running into a wall to successfully complete a play. Anderson should know this. Anderson should also know the consequences of such a slide.
There have been numerous studies and research performed on these consequences. Just this season a surprising amount of players are already breaking bones, sustaining concussions, and straining muscles sliding Superman-style into bases.
The first inning in a series – in which the Rangers should have swept the Tigers – seemed unnecessary to call this rush to score. Especially due to Hamilton’s struggle to stay healthy this past year. There was no doubt that Texas, coming off of such a successful 2010 season that included a World Series appearance, would win.
Hamilton had spent some time on the disabled list last season after colliding with the outfield wall en route to catching a fly ball. Also, he suffered from pneumonia in January, causing him to miss workouts for a month and use spring training to get ready for the season.
Spring training is now a time when players come in already ready for the season. Hamilton had just begun to get situated. Now it was back to the DL for No. 32.
Rangers owner Ron Washington thought it was the right play to call, backing up the aggressive reputation of the Texas team. Hamilton also apologized for angry comments made after the game because he knew he had a choice to go or stay.
Texas is a great team to watch, don’t get me wrong. Their insistent play is something worth talking about; it has gotten them to great places in the past. However, given the maturity of the season and the somewhat fragile nature of Hamilton’s health – or any other player for that matter – these types of hard-hitting plays should be saved for the crunch time of the season.
According to MLB.com, Hamilton will begin taking batting practice later this week. He returns to a team that was 9-1 when he was hurt, and is now 18-18.
For the Hamilton fanatics who are cursing Anderson and for those who question Hamilton’s injuries and hustle style, the play was a good one – it would have been great if he would have been safe. For the coaches, leave these ‘dangerous’ plays for the playoffs or World Series – not one of the first series of the season.
