I haven’t seen much written about this story but I think it is interesting. I heard this morning on radio that Manager Joe Maddon elected to walk Josh Hamilton with the bases loaded last night.
Here is what Maddon said after the game:
“Just looking at potential risk factor, I could much more easily envision or imagine Hamilton tying it up than the alternatives,” Maddon said. “Based on all the stuff there, we chose to walk him. … I just wanted to go that way. I didn’t want to see Hamilton there.
“I mean, listen, it’s his year. And why have him hit a grand slam right there and really screw up ours?”
Maddon has some balls. He intentionally walked Hamilton in the 9th to bring up the potential winning run and it turned out to be a great move. So this guy is a lock for Manager of the Year at this point barring a monumental collapse in the last month of the season.
Note: Also important for the Devil Rays, Kazmir didn’t suck last night.
Maddon is right – it is Hamilton’s year. Gutsy move for a manager – as long as it works.