It must be tough to start in the big leagues amidst the swagger of veterans. You’re constantly being told what to do, how to act, that you’ll learn, all the while trying to keep your job and minimum salary because we all know minor-league to major-league is quite the difference in dough. (Think $1 McDonald’s burger and Filet Mignon.) But, if there is something for future rookies to remember, it’s to never trust opposing catchers. As Sean Rodriguez learned yesterday during the Tigers/Angels game: if your head isn’t in the game, then you can strike out on 4-2 count. Doh!

Neither plate umpire Tim Welke nor Angels Manager Mike Scioscia noticed the mistake. At 2-2, Rodriguez said Welke asked Tigers catcher Brandon Inge what the count was.

“He said he thought it was 1-2, and I said I thought it was 1-2 also,” Rodriguez said. “He thanked me for my honesty.”

Welke had the scoreboard reset to 1-2, and instead of drawing a walk, Rodriguez struck out.

“That’s a new trick of ours,” Detroit Manager Jim Leyland said.

Since the game was in Detroit, Angels fans were there to throw a rally monkey at Sean with the count written on it. But, for future reference, don’t let this happen to your players, fans! Still, nice work Brandon Inge.

His whiff should have been a walk [LA Times]
Image [MLB]