Running On Empty

[DOUGHBOYS]

Baseball players run. They run all off season to build up their cardio and lower body strength. They do the same when they get to spring training. They run all the time. What seems to be the toughest time to run for them is when they hit a ground ball to an infielder. It is at this time that all the running they've done leading up to this batted ball would come in handy. But for most, their emotions get the better of them and a quick paced jog down to first seems to be the rule of the day. Most of us have played baseball and been in their shoes. Our failure to hit the ball squarely, would rather have us dig a hole and hide than speed down the first base line.
We expect more of professionals. We think they should be hustling ALL the time. But, it's just not human nature.
Pete Rose never had an off switch, it was constant hustle. Some others are blessed with the same mentality, most are not.

Yesterday, Hidecki Matsui hit a ground ball single to center field, Kirk Neiuwenhuis came in and kind of scooped the ball over his shoulder, the ball landing a few feet in back of him. Matsui ended up sliding into second base after the error. The announcer said that without Matsui running the whole way from home plate to second base, he never could have made it there. Then added that some players jog to first base content with a single.
After this was all said they showed the replay of Matsui from home to second.
He did jog down to first base once the ball was clearly going to be a single, upon rounding first and almost coming to a stop, it was then that he noticed the error in center, he then beat it to second base.
There was a second or two of silence from the Tampa booth. Then the announcer expounded on how aware Matsui was to notice the error and how he had kept his head up the whole way.
I get such a kick out of players doing no wrong in home team announcing views.

I enjoy watching certain players run. Last year, ARod's running style was that of a man running on hot coals. It didn't make him any faster, instead making him look like one of those people in barrels, crushing grapes.
Has anybody seen Bryce Harper going from first to third?
He looks like a girl in a horror movie running from the guy with the butcher knife. His hands are flailing in front of him as if trying to cut the air in front of him that is slowing his body.
Tony Campana runs like that wiseguy kid who used to slap you in the back of the head then take off in front of you, knowing that you couldn't catch him.
Jose Reyes looks like a greyhound who was bred to run three bases.
Rod Barajas runs like the fat kid in our P.E. class. You know the one, we'd all get done running and feel sorry for the fat kid who would plod well behind us.
Albert Pujols runs like it is his duty. 90 per cent all the time and if he needs that extra 10 per cent, it's there.
Adrian Gonzalez runs only because he has to. It seems like the worst part of the game for him. It is an 'Adrian eat your peas! But Mom, I hate peas' experience for him. Fenway is perfect for him, it holds wall doubles to wall singles.
David Ortiz is the opposite. He runs like he should be faster. Unbelieving that his legs are betraying him. While most dh's of his size and slothness would not even think about a stolen base. Ortiz has attempted a stolen base at least once during the last eight years and has even been successful on a few.

Brett Gardner isn't running now, but when he does, he puts his spikes down so hard, it is like he is punishing the earth for getting in the way of his feet.
I was hoping a little that Vladimir Guerrero would make it back. His running style had become like a camel. Camels don't like to run and they don't look good doing it.
In that same P.E. class we used to have, there was that fast kid. He didn't look that fast, but he always seemed to beat everybody. Mike Trout is that kid.
Scott Rolen's home run trot is like a triumphant Popeye after defeating Bluto.

After seeing Tommy LaSorda 'jog' off the field, a fan yelled at him this harsh line-
"Hey Tommy, it's too bad your belly can't talk! If it could, it could order your lunch and have it ready for you by the time the rest of you arrives!"
One of the first scouting reports on Yogi Berra came from somebody that saw Yogi while battling a cold.
One of the lines in his report was that 'His nose was runny, his legs, were not.'

Nobody runs more than a pitcher to get ready for the season. But during a game, they feel as if the trek down to first base may 'gas' them for the game. Yesterday, after dropping down a sacrifice bunt, Justin Verlander made it 10 feet down the line before turning for the dugout.
We know his job on the mound comes before running down a first base line, so we give him a pass.
At the same time, Waite Hoyt is in the Hall of Fame while being the Yankees best pitcher during the 'Murderers Row' days, once hit two triples in the same game.

This post is done... almost.
I came across something that has nothing at all to do with running. In fact quite the opposite.
In 1920, there was a long argument involving Reds Manager, Pat Moran and the umpires. After a few minutes of the arguing, right fielder Edd Roush put his glove and cap on the ground and rested his head on them. When the argument ended, shouts by Reds players and fans would not awaken Roush.
Still upset at Moran for arguing a call so long, the umpire ejected Roush for delaying the game.
To my knowledge, Roush is the only player to be ejected without being conscious.