Josh Hamilton needed a "mental-health" day.
After requesting a day off on Sunday, Angels' manager Mike Scioscia decided he needed another day to rest and regain his confidence; Hamilton sits again, will have extra hitting session - angels.com, "He's scheduled to come to Fenway Park early on Tuesday to have a one-on-one session with hitting coaches Don Baylor and Dave Hansen "to try to find a comfortable concept in the batter's box that he can take to the game," Scioscia said."
The reason for the extra day off and more time with the hitting coaches? Hamilton's break extended a second day for Angels - The Orange County Register, "Hamilton is hitting .192 over his last 19 games, and he’s 5 for 38 (.132) with 18 strikeouts over his past 10 games. He told reporters Sunday it was he had requested the day off in the final game in Texas, but he made it clear Monday that it was Scioscia’s call. "I don’t make the lineup, bro," Hamilton said."
Is anyone else else getting the idea that the Angels clubhouse is full of Brodudes? Last week, it was C.J. Wilson's "whatever, dude", and now Hamilton's "bro". Urban dictionary:
Brodudes are characterized by the smell of Axe Body Spray, ridiculous popped collars, live strong bracelts and wristwatches. One knows they are in the vicinity of a brodude simply by listening for their quotations of Dane Cook, as well as quoting: "Do you know how I know you're gay!?". While seemingly dangerous, the brodude is actually harmless, as they spend most of the time in the mirror doing their faux hawks, they are usually pretty tuckered out by nightfall.
I guess Hamilton needed another day to chillaxe.
Anyway, we'll see how serious Scioscia is about Hamilton's lack of hitting when we see the Angels' batting order once Hamilton returns. Josh Hamilton of Los Angeles Angels misses 2nd straight game - ESPN Los Angeles, "Scioscia feels the 2010 AL MVP has lost confidence and understands the team needs his production in the middle of the order. "I think it brings a lot of attention to what you're trying to do when a guy you're counting on to hit in the middle of your lineup is struggling for a prolonged period of time," he said. "I think we have every confidence -- and I know Josh does -- that he'll find it and contribute in what we need him to do."
If Hamilton is still in his familiar four-slot, we'll have to question Scioscia's commitment to win.