Players get a lot of baseballs as mementos of historic happenings in their career. Billy Hamilton's first Major League Baseball memorabilia item is second base.
Hamilton was presented with the bag he stole in the seventh inning of Tuesday's 1-0 win against St. Louis. After swiping 395 bases in the minors the past five seasons, Hamilton got his first MLB steal against the best catcher in the game, Yadier Molina. More importantly, Hamilton's steal put him in position to score the only run of the game when Todd Frazier doubled into the left field corner.
Hamilton entered the game as a pinch-runner for Ryan Ludwick after Ludwick had singled off of Cardinals relief pitcher Seth Maness to lead off the inning. Hamilton led all Class AAA players with 75 stolen bases this season at Louisville. He was called up on Monday as part of the expanded rosters teams are allowed in September.
"I ain't been that nervous in a long time in my life," said Hamilton. "When I got on first base I had little chills running down but I knew I couldn't be afraid. This was a big situation. I knew I had to get to second base. That was my job."
Having to do it against Molina, who has won the last five National League Gold Glove awards for catchers, made those chills even more pronounced. Maness threw over three straight times before delivering a pitch to Frazier at the plate. It was a ball, Molina's throw was uncharacteristically high and wide of the bag and Hamilton was safe.
"I was thinking about seeing what kind of move he had," said Hamilton. "When I got up here I said you've really got to read books on these guys and know what kind of slide step they've got. I did it, went over it before I went out there and knew that he was quick to the plate so I needed to get a nice-sized lead. He picked over a couple of times and that got me going, got me motivated a little bit. That helped me out a little bit, him picking over a few times."
Hamilton said he's going to give the base to his mother, who was at the game and will be around for the rest of the series.
This is going to be Hamilton's job this month. He is not eligible for the postseason roster since he was called up after Sept. 1. He's not going to play much in the field, not over regular centerfielder Shin-Soo Choo, but could see some spot action. Regardless of what happens the rest of the month, he made his presence felt on Tuesday.
