Los Angeles Dodgers: Mark Ellis and One Bad Decision

The off-season in baseball can sometimes seem just as long as the season itself. Mistakes made in the final weeks can haunt a player the entire winter, and perhaps even carry into 2013.  For Mark Ellis of the Dodgers, he unfortunately stands, and stands alone, as one of these players.


Regardless of the average, home runs, RBI, hits and crazy Sabermetrics, the one element a hitter does not want on his season-resume is the final out. Superstition and omens are a part of the game, leaving players to wear the same socks, not shave, or give rum to Joe Boo; all wrapped up in hopes that nothing leaves a black-cloud of worry on their psyche. 

While Mark Ellis has not made the final out of the season, with still one game to play, he did make an out that was the final ending to the Dodgers season.

During the seventh inning of last nights game against the Giants, Ellis broke a cardinal-rule in baseball when he attempted to stretch a double into a triple, getting thrown out in the process. Shane Victorino followed with a double in his at-bat, which would have scored Ellis and tied the game at 4-4. The momentum the Dodgers had was wiped away with one base-running mistake. The next two innings were a wash, sending the Dodgers still small hopes of playoff baseball down the drain. They lost 4-3.

It's not fair to blame Ellis, entirely.  He was attempting to put pressure on the Giants; at the same time putting his team in what he thought was a better position. But, you never want to make an out at third base—regardless of the number of outs. 

True, Angel Pagan didn't completely hustle to get the ball, but he probably knew he didn't need to rush. The hit was more towards the leftfield side, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind that it would be a simple double—that is, of course, except for Mark Ellis. His greediness to stretch something that was not there cost the team, making the final out he was credited for in the ninth inning meaningless. 

Better stock up on rum, Mr. Ellis, it's a long off season, and it just got a little longer for you and the Dodgers.



This_is_Rick