In a post game interview which took place just moments ago, Alex Rodriguez was asked by Yes broadcaster Kimberly Jones if he was surprised that a double he hit during the game was not a home run. A-Rod admitted that yes, he thought it would go out. He added that that's about the eighth time this season he's surprised himself that same way and that he will really have to start running...it's getting kind of embarrassing. Those are his words.
Wow.
These guys (and Manny Ramirez is at the top of my list) have got to get a clue. It's like some kind of societal shift within the baseball world. Managers have got to grow some balls and tell their superstars (even if its in the context of a team meeting!) that they've got to run when they hit the ball.
Even Coco Crisp dogged it out of the batter's box after a short pop-up to second base the other night (with a runner on first). The second baseman intentionally let it drop, flipped to the shortstop (covering second) and very nearly completed a double play by throwing out Crisp at first. He just beat it out after he turned on the speed when he saw the play develop in front of him.
It's just not that difficult to run hard after you hit the ball. Force the other guy to make the play. You might just be surprised. And, it's the right thing to do. Freakin' prima-donnas.
Rant off.