Ozzie Guillen talks about old days breaking up double play tactics - MLB Update
The game between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves reminds the former’s manager Ozzie Guillen of old days. How players used to avoid double plays through various tactics was the beauty of the classic baseball, Guillen stated after the game. In modern
day baseball, rules are stricter and not many players can hoodwink fielders for making runs.
What the players can enjoy these days and how freely they can go about their job, has not been the case in the past. Back then, a fielder had to be proactive and had to make sure no batter takes undue advantage. Those batters, who make connections and start
reaching bases while keeping fielders guessing about their intent, had to be dealt with seriously.
Even Guillen shared his own experience as a short-stop. He discussed his strategy to tackle such situations. He admitted that at-times runners tricked him and eschewed double plays, but on the whole it used to be one of the funniest aspects of being in the
field.
“Before, they went after your little butt and you better get out of the way. The only protection you had was to throw it right through their throat. That’s how you play the game. That’s the way I grew up. That’s the only thing you had. It was fun. ... I’m
going to get you or you’re going to get me. Now, it’s like here’s my nail polish. You throw inside, people get mad. You hit someone, people get mad,” Guillen said.
Umpire denied Freddie Freeman the completion of base during the game, due to an attempt by him to break up double play. That was the incident that triggered Guillen speaking at-length about old day baseball at the end of the game.
Guillen hailed the umpire’s decision. He spoke of how difficult it is to deceive umpires nowadays.
Every game passes through an evolution and loopholes which are exploited at one time are plugged with time. This way, journey to achieving fairness continues.
Similar has been the case with the baseball. Based on what happened in the game, one can claim that baseball has come a long way in ensuring fair play.
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