Something I've been wondering lately (baseball-related)

Dr. Giganto

Did anybody notive how basically every left-handed slugger gets the big shift now? The one where the SS plays on either behind second base or even past the base towards first, and the 2B plays in shallow right field? I've noticed that shift put on for Bonds, Ortiz, Giambi, and Travis Hafner.

My question is, why don't more of these guys learn to bunt? Or at least learn how to slap pitches the other way? I remember Giambi bunting down the 3rd base line in a game last year, and nobody was prepared for it, so he beat the throw easily.


Think about how many times Giambi or Ortiz hit a ball right up the middle, or hard in the hole at 2nd, and what normally would be a hit becomes a ground-ball out. If these guys bunted, or slapped balls down the 3rd base line occasionally, you would have to keep the infield honest, and it would negate the effect of the shift.

Just something I was thinking about...

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

Ortiz actually has two bunts for base hits this year because of that shift.

They actually had 4 outfielders (no 2nd) in the Tampa Series whenever he came up to plate.

Blitzkrieg

Bonds is so slow, they'd probably still throw him out. I see your point though and I remember that game where Giambi did that.. The announcers were like "What a smart play!" but he doesn't do it often enough.