In case anyone missed it, Josh Hamilton, reigning NL Rookie of the Month, went 4-for-5 against the Rox last night with a triple, a double, two singles, a stolen base, and FOUR RUNS. He was one longball short of the first Reds cycle since Eric Davis did it in 1989. And even when he came up there for his fourth at-bat in the 8th inning, with the possibility that it would be his last of the game, he choked up and pulled a solid single through the hole into right field.
It boggles my mind that this kid had less that 100 official MINOR LEAGUE at-bats before he came up to the majors. Sure, he swings and misses a little too much on the high heat, but he's got a great eye at the plate, knows how to put good wood on the ball, and hustles every time he gets on base. He's the hottest player on the roster right now outside of Griffey, who's turning back the clock for a Comeback Player of the Year Award kind of year.
All this said, answer me this:
Why the hell is he batting SEVENTH?!
Jerry Narron is making me bash my head against the wall every night with one dumb move after another. He has to pull the "bring in the wrong bullpen guy late in the game" card every night, since it's apparently in his contract, but this is unacceptable. Yeah, David Ross will find a way to drive him in. Hamilton's OBP is .394, second on the team, yet Narron is leaving the RBI duties up to a guy who is hitting somewhere below the LaRue Line, couldn't make contact with the ball if he blocked the plate with a riot shield, and has the pitcher hitting behind him.
Am I the only guy in the world who thinks none of this makes any sense?!
Hamilton had better be in the leadoff spot tonight for the finale. If he's hitting anywhere below the five-hole, I will personally pay for an extended vacation for ol' Jerry. In the middle of the Atlantic.
(Woo hoo! A post!)
Sunday, May 6, 2007
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