Sep 6, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds base runner
Billy Hamilton(6) slides as he steals 2nd base during the bottom of the 8th inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-USA TODAY Sports
There are now six games left for the Cincinnati Reds before they must make the decision to keep Billy Hamilton on the postseason roster or not. If you haven’t seen it or just don’t know what Hamilton has been doing since being recalled from Triple-A Louisville here is a little recap.
Hamilton has started two games for the Reds and has gone 6 for 10, two Doubles, four runs scored and six stolen bases. Yes, you read that right, it says SIX stolen bases in two games. To go along with his two starts Hamilton has come off the bench six different times as a pinch runner and has another six stolen bases and four runs scored. This guy can steal a base off of anyone, including Yadier Molina. Hamilton’s first stolen base came off of the Cardinals catcher, in his first major league appearance on September 3rd.
So should Billy Hamilton be added to the 25-man Playoff Roster? In my opinion yes! There is no one else in the game that can do what Hamilton does. If there is, I would like to know who he is. There isn’t a guy in the majors that can steal a base off of Yadier Molina in back to back nights either. Also, name another player that can steal two bases on pitch-outs and neither of them be relatively close. Hamilton is a freak of nature on the base paths and you never know when you might need him to come off the bench in the late innings to get into scoring position. Shall we go back to 2004 and Dave Roberts? The Red Sox don’t win that World Series without him coming off the bench and stealing that ever popular base against the Yankees. Hamilton could be that next Dave Roberts.
Well who do you keep off of the roster in order to put Hamilton on it? I would get rid of one bullpen guy for Hamilton. If you really need that last guy in the bullpen at any point in the postseason then you might not be doing too well. Hamilton will most likely be a pinch runner only in the playoffs but, he is a must for the Reds come October.