ST. LOUIS -- Josh Hamilton has been dealing with a balky groin for nearly two months and hasn't hit a home run since Sept. 23. The Texas outfielder bluntly told us at Tuesday's Media Day, "it hurts" when asked about the injury. Sure looked it in Game One, when he was clearly limited and grimacing after swings.
Hamilton will be in left field tonight instead of center but Texas manager Ron Washington was actually asked during his pregame presser today if he thought about taking him out of the lineup.
In the World Series? Seriously? You should have seen the look Washington shot that questioner.
"You know, at this point of the year we've all got nagging injuries," Washington said. "He had one, and he'll figure out a way to get through it, and we'll figure out a way to help him get through it. ... I can't afford to take Hamilton out of my lineup. Even if Hamilton doesn't do anything, he makes a difference just with his presence in our lineup, and I want his presence in it, and it's in there tonight. Don't be surprised if he comes up big, because I certainly won't."
No other major news. Washington said he's going with Matt Harrison and Derek Holland in Games 3-4 in Texas. Stay tuned for the first pitch at 8:05. Back to writing print stories.
---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)
tagged
Rangers | World Series
