Nothing is certain yet, but if I'm a betting man, I'm putting money on the fact that Josh Hamilton has played his final game in a Texas Rangers uniform. I'm also betting Friday night's performance in the AL Wild Card Game loss to Baltimore wasn't what Rangers fans wanted to see out of their once-beloved superstar.
Hamilton saw eight — count 'em — eight pitches in four at-bats, just adding to the frustration of watching him this season, with the exception of April and May, when he was seemingly just waiting for the AL MVP trophy to be handed his way after a blistering start to the season.
Friday night's game, which saw him strikeout twice (three pitches each), ground into a double play and tap a roller back to the mound, drew the ire of the Rangers fans, who were already fed up with Hamilton before that.
Hamilton was booed throughout the night, even before the game started when the starting lineups were announced, which was likely the result of "the play" on Wednesday when he dropped a fly ball with two outs that allowed Oakland to take a 7-5 lead in a game the A's would eventually win 12-5 and claim the AL West crown. After the drop, he loafed it back to the ball and then had a little dust-up with Ron Washington in the dugout after Wash questioned him on the play.
Hamilton commented on the boos after the game, and I have to say, I agree with a lot of what he said. Like he said, I'd never boo a member of a team that I supported, but that certainly doesn't mean others wouldn't, and it's hard to argue with those who did.
He obviously checked out mentally at the worst time possible, and it was well within anyone who wanted to view their displeasure's right to let him know about. If you were one of those many people, you can take solace in the fact that he heard you.
