Josh Hamilton's injury

H

hawkfarmer

Well-Known Member
I have seen a lot of controversy about this and that maybe head first slides should be removed etc. The one argument that is stupid was on mike and mike. Greenberg said he shouldn't have put that effort in since it was the second week of the season.

Stupid. He could have just as easily broken his arm diving to catch a foul ball, or even if he slid feet first could break an ankle etc. Also, why would you not want effort on every play of every game.

I'm not saying he should have ran on that play, it was gutsy, but ther was nobody at home and if he would've made everyone would be saying what a great play it was.

I think people need to quit over analyzing this stuff, it was a tough play, he got injured, deal with it.
 
hawkfarmer said:
I have seen a lot of controversy about this and that maybe head first slides should be removed etc. The one argument that is stupid was on mike and mike. Greenberg said he shouldn't have put that effort in since it was the second week of the season.

Stupid. He could have just as easily broken his arm diving to catch a foul ball, or even if he slid feet first could break an ankle etc. Also, why would you not want effort on every play of every game.

I'm not saying he should have ran on that play, it was gutsy, but ther was nobody at home and if he would've made everyone would be saying what a great play it was.

I think people need to quit over analyzing this stuff, it was a tough play, he got injured, deal with it.
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+1
Everybody is an expert after the fact. "You play to win the game"... woulda coulda shoulda is nonproductive.:(
 
uofihawkInation said:
I agree, however he should have slid feet first. I learned that when I first picked up a baseball.
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Why? Hamilton even said the best way to avoid the tag was head first, and he didn't get run into. I've seen more players jam ankles or bum up their knees sliding feet first than head first.
 
DeputyHawk said:
One thing is certain though. Hamilton shouldn't have thrown his third base coach under the bus like that.
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Completely agree. It was a tough play, he got hurt, part of the game. The 3rd base coach didn't say "RUN!" Hamilton quoted him saying "NO ONE AT HOME!" That statement gives Hamilton more info to make his decision, not making his decision for him.
 
DesertHawk2010 said:
Completely agree. It was a tough play, he got hurt, part of the game. The 3rd base coach didn't say "RUN!" Hamilton quoted him saying "NO ONE AT HOME!" That statement gives Hamilton more info to make his decision, not making his decision for him.
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John Kruk said it best, you're the player, you see the play you have the final decision. If you don't think you can make it don't go. Then explain later. Not the coaches fault.
 
Mike Greenberg proves every day that he is an idiot. Cant figure out one good quality he brings to hosting a sports radio show

I agree with the OP 100%
 
hawkfarmer said:
Why? Hamilton even said the best way to avoid the tag was head first, and he didn't get run into. I've seen more players jam ankles or bum up their knees sliding feet first than head first.
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Head-first slides are very useful, but at the plate, you should always go in feet-first. You can always try a hook slide or decoy slide (both of which are done feet-first) to avoid the tag. The only dumb thing about the play was that he went head-first.
 
tm3308 said:
Head-first slides are very useful, but at the plate, you should always go in feet-first. You can always try a hook slide or decoy slide (both of which are done feet-first) to avoid the tag. The only dumb thing about the play was that he went head-first.
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I have to disagree. I don't think the head first slide was a bad deal, gets your hand to the plate faster. It wasn't dumb, it's unfortunate he got injured, but could have injured his arm sliding feet first and bracing with his arm. Big deal. I don't think the slide was bad.
 
hawkfarmer said:
I have to disagree. I don't think the head first slide was a bad deal, gets your hand to the plate faster. It wasn't dumb, it's unfortunate he got injured, but could have injured his arm sliding feet first and bracing with his arm. Big deal. I don't think the slide was bad.
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Well technically, you're not supposed to brace yourself with your arm(s) when you slide feet-first either, for that very reason.

Now that I've seen the play online, it was INCREDIBLY stupid for him to go in the first place. You're the best hitter in the best offense in baseball, and you tag up on THAT play in the FIRST INNING?! Unbelievably stupid.
 
Not saying it wasn't stupid. I actually like the aggressiveness though. I don't like him throwing the coach under the bus. he was pretty close to being safe though. Then would it have been a great play? There were some stupid parts to the play, but to say that head first slides should be illegal, or it was the coaches fault, or it was the dumbest play ever is not right.
 
hawkfarmer said:
Not saying it wasn't stupid. I actually like the aggressiveness though. I don't like him throwing the coach under the bus. he was pretty close to being safe though. Then would it have been a great play? There were some stupid parts to the play, but to say that head first slides should be illegal, or it was the coaches fault, or it was the dumbest play ever is not right.
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Head-first slides shouldn't be outlawed, I agree. It's just pretty dangerous at the plate. Let's face it, catchers wear body armor, and therefore have no reason to fear blocking the plate (unlike infielders at their respective bases). It's just typically smarter to go feet-first at the plate.

Definitely not the coach's fault. If this were a high school game, you could say that, because at that level, you don't go unless the coach tells you to. But at the major league level, the coach gives you information, and it's up to you unless the coach just flat out says NOT to go.

Dumbest play ever? No (I can lay a claim to that one, actually :biggrin:). But still very stupid, especially in the first inning of a game in April. Even if he'd made it, it would have been a: "Nice job, don't ever f*cking do it again!" kind of a moment.
 
I agree with everything you just said except the fact that the catcher only touched Hamilton with his glove. Nothing else. it comes down to this to me. It doesn't matter when it is I want guys giving it their all. Do you not want him diving to make a catch in the outfield even if it is the first inning. I would like him to make the plays how he thinks he can make them. And I do think that the head first slide is the fastest way to get to the plate, so I think that is good.

A player can get hurt at any time doing anything, even sliding feet first, could jam an ankle or tweak a knee, how is that better or safer. At least when you slide head first you try to avoid contact as best you can.

Not saying it was the smartest move, but I see nothing wrong with why he did it. And yes you're a major leaguer, as I stated in an earlier post, when the play is in front of you it is YOUR call not the coaches.
 
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