This is easily one of the things that sickens me the most about modern sports. Players that are high draft picks, or have top-tier agents get special treatment, even when they’re slumping or flat-out suck. Lower-profile players get no respect, even when they’re out producing the supposed blue-chippers.
Look no further than the Philadelphia Phillies, who are reportedly considering benching red-hot Edmundo Sosa. His numbers are off the charts. In 15 at-bats this season, he has 9 hits, 5 RBIs and 4 runs scored. His batting average is .600 with an on-base percentage of .625 and an on-base plus slugging percentage of an astronomical 1.492. He has four straight multi-hit games.
In baseball parlance, the man is on fire. En espanol, he’s en fuego!
If Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm or Bryce Harper were this hot, there would already be chants of MVP at Citizens Bank Park.
Edmundo Sosa is a blue-chipper. He’s a journeyman from Panama, where kids use rocks as balls and milk cartons for gloves. He’ll play just about anywhere. Shortstop, second base, third base, outfield. He’ll hit anywhere in the lineup. He doesn’t care. He’s just happy to be in the lineup. That attitude is invaluable and infectious. It’s in stark contrast to many modern-day players who are coddled from little league to the major leagues.
Sosa is refreshing. He’s a throwback to a time when players played for the love of the game first and foremost.
After the Phillies home opener, where Sosa ripped a double to start the Phillies’ scoring and give them a 2-1 lead, his comments underscored that mentality:
“I’m always preparing myself. I think I’m going to be on the field playing when I go to the gym. That comes with batting practice and the defense as well. I always assume that I’m going to have playing time, and that’s what keeps me in a good spot to produce whenever I’m on the field.”
His humble, professional approach may not be flashy, but his numbers so far sure are.
The fact that the Phillies are even considering not playing him tonight is an outrage. Even the greatest hitters are streaky. When they’re hitting, find a spot in the lineup for them. It’s common sense. Ride the hot bat.
If Sosa is benced tonight, the Phillies deserve to lose.