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Lollygagging?

By ashbury

· 3,196 views

I happened upon this nice leaping stab by Polanco from a few days ago:

 

https://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2018/07/03/2224124283/1530583378940/asset_2500K.mp4

 

Question: on a ball hit to the left side, does Brian Dozier have anything better to do than make a beeline for second base, on the small chance it's caught and they might try to double off the runner? The runner has to change direction, Dozier could have been close to full speed by that point. Seems like he was napping there.

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    theBOMisthebomb

    Verified Member

    No. That is his main (and only) responsibility there. He was making his way over there from the get go. The runner was also going back to 2nd base. Dozier noticed the runner was a few steps ahead of him so let off the gas. The only way Doz was winning that race was if the runner tripped.

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    • GCL Twins

    amjgt

    Verified Member

     

    He was making his way over there from the get go. The runner was also going back to 2nd base. Dozier noticed the runner was a few steps ahead of him so let off the gas. 

     

    I'd say the gas was off, then he decided to turn it on once he realized it was going to be close. 

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    • Cooperstown

    ashbury

    Old-Timey Member

    Yes, it was the first few steps, before the ball was caught, that I focus on, not at the end when he eased off.

     

    The runner was leaning the wrong way, and it looks to me as if Dozier had a chance if he'd been going full tilt at the start. There was that tell-tale attempt to accelerate partway through. It said, "oops," to me.

     

    At first I thought Polanco was trying to stifle a smile because of his own fine play, in the name of maintaining a game face. But later I wondered if he was annoyed that there was no one to throw to when he thought of trying for a DP.

     

    I do appreciate the opposite viewpoint, though. I might always be wrong on these little things, and probably the best Dozier could do was make it close.

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    IndianaTwin

    Verified Member

    I’ve sometimes felt like he’s been lollygagging as well, but not sure on this one. He’s played a bazillion games and knows that’s a single to left, so it’s not surprising that he jogs over to cover second for the throw in from the outfield.

     

    Problem was Polanco made a great play, so Dozier looks bad. Sure, we can say Dozier should have been hustling over, but there’s a fine line between giving full effort and racing to cover the bag when there’s nothing there.

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    ToddlerHarmon

    Verified Member

    I'd call that a mistake on Dozier's part.  Laziness?  Not really, IMO.

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    ashbury

    Old-Timey Member

    Laziness?  Not really, IMO.

    Yeah, I don't really have a narrative to push about the player. I certainly didn't title this blog entry with that word, and if Lollygagging comes across as too close to that, then it was too strong a word for me to choose.

     

    OTOH, if we agree it was a mistake, and if that mistake came from the relative lack of effort in the first instant... well, I'd give a nickel to pick his brain candidly about this one play. And maybe Polanco's. I'd stand a chance of learning a fine point.

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