‘I should have run, 100 percent. … It ended up costing us the game’
April 27, 2022
(AP photo/Tony Gutierrez)
ARLINGTON — Willie Calhoun opened the ninth inning Wednesday night by drawing a walk and going to third base as Adolis Garcia followed with a double.
The Texas Rangers were down two, and the Houston Astros were conceding a run as long as it could produce an out.
The infield was back when Jonah Heim sent a chopper to first base. Garcia started to run toward third but had to stop.
I thought at the time that he should have subbed Eli White to run for him. I don’t know why he didn’t.
If Calhoun had been the tying run, sure. I’ve seen some people say that White would have scored from first on Garcia’s double, and that’s just not right. It was to left field and Alvarez got to it quickly.
Calhoun screwed up. He admitted it. He said Beasley told him to run. It was a layup, and Willie flubbed it.
Interesting to me that Woody called out Calhoun in no uncertain terms. I’m not sure if he’s ever done so to that extent. Normally, the narrative would be about learning and improving, etc. But those days are over and Calhoun should have known better. I’ve seen this team, or more so the last few years for sure, make much worse errors and Woodward was much more diplomatic in those situations. Clearly, things have shifted and I’m curious if Woody feels any actual pressure to WIN games now! Every game counts when people look at the win total at the end of the year to measure improvements.
Woodward’s done it a few times, though I can’t recall specifics. I think he’s no longer coddling guys, though I don’t think it’s to save his hide. If the players don’t already know that it’s make-or-break time, these little call-out sessions should let them know.