Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury committed an embarrassing and inexcusable blunder during Saturday night's game in L.A. when he was tagged out after hitting into a fielder's choice and walking back to the dugout before the inning was actually over.
It happened in the top of the ninth inning with one out and a runner on first. Ellsbury hit a grounder to the right side of the infield, and the Dodgers threw to second base to get the lead runner for the second out. However, after getting to first, Ellsbury took his helmet off and started walking back to the dugout, apparently thinking that it was the third out and the inning was over. That gaffe allowed Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez to complete a double play by simply walking up to Ellsbury and tagging him for the third out. Based on the video, Ellsbury still can't figure out what happened.
It's amazing to watch players like Ellsbury forget some simple fundamentals of the game, like keeping track of the outs, considering all the money they make, yet it happens time and time again. Fortunately, it didn't hurt the Red Sox in the end as they still won the game 4-2.
Video via MLB. H/T BLS.
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
