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Monday, August 18, 2008

Chicago Tribune: Hamilton respected? You bet

rhabdophobia (literally: fear of wands or rods)

1. The fear of being severely punished or criticized.
2. The fear of being beaten with a rod.
3. The fear of magic and the paranormal.

ARLINGTON, Texas — With the bases loaded and the major leagues’ RBI leader Josh Hamilton representing the tying run Sunday night, Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon didn’t have too many good options.

With the Rays leading the Rangers 7-3 and two outs in the ninth, Maddon had Grant Balfour intentionally walk Hamilton to force in a run. Maddon then brought in Dan Wheeler, who struck out Marlon Byrd for a 7-4 victory.

“I mean, listen, it’s [Hamilton’s] year, and why not have him hit a grand slam right there and really screw up ours,” Maddon said.

It’s the first time a player had been intentionally walked with the bases loaded since the Giants’ Barry Bonds in 1998.

Said Byrd: “When the guy’s AL manager of the year like he’s going to be, things go your way.”

Hat tip: Mr2bits

Wheelhouse Posted: August 18, 2008 at 05:28 AM | 7 comment(s)
Related News: General, Tampa Bay, Texas

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1. dahlian Kirby, children's author extraordinaire. Posted: August 18, 2008 at 07:14 AM (#2906746)

2. The Marksist Posted: August 18, 2008 at 01:43 PM (#2907169)

I'm writing a book. It's called "Decisionmaking the Manager's Way: How the post hoc falacy will make you rich and happy."

3. Boots Day Posted: August 18, 2008 at 02:02 PM (#2907208)

This season against right-handers Josh Hamilton hits a home run once every 17.5 at bats. Also against right-handers, Marlon Byrd hits a double or triple once every 12.6 at bats and a home run every 58.7 at bats.

Of course, that's not the appropriate comparison at all. Hamilton can also hit a double or triple in that situation and leave the tying run in scoring position, meaning you then need to figure out what the likelihood of Byrd hitting a single is.

Baseball is complicated.

4. Work fast, throw strikes, change speeds Posted: August 18, 2008 at 03:39 PM (#2907346)

But Maddon said he was managing to avoid one thing, a Hamilton grand slam that would tie the score with one swing. And yet, as Kirby said, now with a fast man on first, all it takes is a double to tie the game with one swing. Maddon got away with one there.

5. Boots Day Posted: August 18, 2008 at 03:43 PM (#2907352)

So if Maddon said he didn't think Byrd had any chance of hitting more than a single, would the proper comparison be a Hamilton slam vs. a Byrd single?

6. Biff, Red Sox Jinx Posted: August 18, 2008 at 03:49 PM (#2907363)

You call it respect, I call it idiotic.

7. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: August 18, 2008 at 04:08 PM (#2907410)

Hey, you can't let Josh Hamilton beat you. It's O.K. if Marlon Byrd does, he's nobody.

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Monday, August 18, 2008

Chicago Tribune: Hamilton respected? You bet

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