So, Josh Hamilton's broken arm (caused by sliding head first into home plate) has caused quite a debate about whether or not star players should risk injury in so called old-school hustle plays. Rick Horton believes that hustling all the way is absolutely the way to go whether you're Albert Pujols or Skip Schumaker. Andy Van Slyke was on the radio Monday criticizing Colby Rasmus for being tentative about approaching the wall while running full speed. Van Slyke ranted for about 5 minutes about how it was essentially a cowardly play, and that he wants his OFer's to gladly run into the wall full speed if it helps catch a fly ball.
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Oh, by the way, Van Slyke nonchalantly recalled a time when he hit a wall and 'snapped my collar bone like a pencil.' Funny thing is, he talked like the play was worth it. Like that one play was worth more to a team that all the plays he missed while out with a broken collar bone.
Why is this even a question? Actually, let me rephrase that. No one can competently argue that it is right for a player to risk a season or a career for a single play. Those who say they want old school star players not afraid of getting hurt are moronic; this is an era where your stars are worth (and sometimes getting paid) over $20m/year. How much does one diving play, or one head first slide into home plate contribute to a player's season WAR value? Answer, an insanely small amount.
It comes down to this, people who argue for putting your body/season at risk for a single play are just itching for a pissing contest to try and prove manliness, not win baseball games. Grow up and look at this from a what's best for the team stand point, not what makes me look coolest and feel the most macho. Or, maybe these 'old school gamers' don't understand the idea of a player's worth. Maybe Rick Hortons and Andy Van Slykes think that we have extra Albert Pujols' sitting on the bench waiting for an injury.
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