While Josh Hamilton might have been disappointed that he was booed in his return to Arlington, Texas, earlier this month, he had to be downright puzzled by what happened in Oakland on Monday.
Hamilton was the lone Los Angeles player who was cheered during the marathon 10-8 Oakland win in 19 innings.
The logic behind the cheering was simple – it was Josh Hamilton Appreciation Night.
A Facebook page talked all about the event, with the plan for fans to give Hamilton a standing ovation in his first at-bat and then when he took the field.
The logic behind the move was simple. Fans wanted to thank Hamilton for his fifth-inning dropped ball in last year’s season finale between the Athletics and Rangers. That error helped pave the way for the Athletics to win the American League West title.
The ball Hamilton dropped was auctioned off earlier this month for more than $1,200.
The plan was for the cheering to end after Monday, but Hamilton’s game might keep it going. The prized Los Angeles free agent went 0 for 8 with three strikeouts and is now hitting .202.
