Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Self-serving.

Maybe the Yankees batters would bat over .250 if the opponents weren't allowed to use the shift:

"Joe Girardi employs infield shifts regularly, doing his best to give his infielders a chance to defend against hitters of all kinds.

But if it were up to the Yankees manager, those shifts would disappear like a Mark Teixeira grounder in short right field.

Asked whether he would make shifts illegal if he were the sport’s commissioner, Girardi wasted no time in answering, 'Absolutely.'

'I think it’s an illegal defense, like basketball,' Girardi said. 'Guard your man; guard your spot. If I was commissioner, they would be illegal.'

'As long as it’s legal, I’m going to play it.'

Girardi’s shift on Nomar Mazara Monday night helped the rookie outfielder shoot a ball through the hole at shortstop, ending Nathan Eovaldi’s no-hitter in the seventh inning. Girardi didn’t second-guess his decision, though he hated to see Eovaldi’s bid for history end in such fashion.

'I think the field was built this way for a reason,' Girardi said. 'Two on one side, two on the other.'"


I don't follow Girardi's logic. It's embarrassing that Yankee batters can't figure it out.

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