The speed-up orders apply to pitchers, as well, with everyone due to pay fines for excessive dawdling. [...] the central issue will be hitters required to keep one foot in the batter’s box most of the time — and that’s disturbing news to Ortiz and anyone else who turns every at-bat into self-obsessed tedium. According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the first offense will trigger a warning, with the next four resulting in a “progressive fine.” If he’s up there making a big stink every at-bat, he’ll assume a villainous role not likely to be emulated by his fellow players. For many of them, I’d imagine, spring training’s “get ready for the season” just took on new meaning. Josh Hamilton’s latest crisis calls to mind the final day of the 2012 season, A’s hosting Texas with the division title on the line. Hamilton had put up tremendous numbers that season (43 homers, 128 RBIs) but endured lengthy stretches in which his game, health and energy seemed in decay. Amid mutual distrust, Hamilton said farewell to the Rangers that winter, signed with the Angels, and he’s never really been the same. Currently teaching baseball to kids in his native New Orleans, the 62-year-old Washington has found he can’t get back into the major leagues. “Blackballed” is a strong word, but it’s widely assumed that in admitting to cocaine use (2010) and then marital infidelity (in September, not long after he abruptly resigned), he’s considered a public-relations risk. A nightmare the A’s are trying to shake, as manager Bob Melvin makes a point of his pitchers and catchers preventing the stolen base: bottom of the eighth inning of last year’s wild-card playoff in Kansas City, Derek Norris catching in place of the injured Geovany Soto.

Topics:  ortiz   ken rosenthal   fox sports   i d   josh hamilton s   texas   rbis    rangers   angels   new orleans   washington    blackballed     in september   bob melvin   kansas city   derek norris   geovany   soto   a   hamilton   a s   pitchers   

 

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