Texas Rangers star and reigning AL MVP, Josh Hamilton, broke his right arm yesterday on a bizarre tag-up from 3rd base. A play in which Hamilton has referred to as “stupid” and “dumb.” Hamilton still hasn’t spoken with 3rd base coach Dave Anderson, who sent him from 3rd to home on the play.
The play resulted after a pop out in which the 3rd baseman and the catcher made a play on the ball. The pitcher is supposed to cover the plate in such a circumstance, but really, who is going to tag-up from 3rd when the ball is in front of them? There was nobody covering home. Hamilton was 90 feet away, on the bag, and the catcher and 3rd baseman were about 60-65 feet away near the 3rd base dugout.
According to Josh Hamilton, Coach Anderson stated that there was nobody at home–nobody covering the plate–and sent Hamilton. In a post-game interview, Hamilton stated that his gut instinct was to stay at 3rd–that something was going to happen if he tried to score. It was a mess of a play, with Hamilton going into a Superman-style dive, trying to avoid the tag. The result of the ground contact is going to keep the Rangers center fielder on the DL for 6-8 weeks with a fractured humerus.
The sports pundits are trying assess blame in the accident, and I’ll give a nod of “wrong” to both Anderson and Hamilton. Anderson for sending him in the first place–which was stupid–and Hamilton for not trusting his instincts.
