The intentional walk is a tactical maneuver done in baseball games to hinder the scoring potential of a big hitter. We often see it when a slugger steps up to the plate with runners in scoring position. However, Corey Seager and the Texas Rangers saw a rather bizarre instance of an intentional walk, an instance that started with a legendary hitter.
Against the Los Angeles Angels, Seager went up to the plate with three Rangers on the bases. Seager is a damn good hitter, and has every capacity to go deep. However, Angels manager Joe Maddon was so terrified of the former Dodgers star… that he intentionally walked him… with the bases loaded. Yep.
The B̶a̶r̶r̶y̶ ̶B̶o̶n̶d̶s̶ Corey Seager treatment. pic.twitter.com/Nfs1RHAiR2
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) April 16, 2022
Only two players in MLB history have ever been walked with the bases loaded. Josh Hamilton got walked with full bases back in 2008 (congenitally, against a Maddon-managed team). Most notably though, Barry Bonds got intentionally walked back in 1998 with the bases loaded, hence the reference from the Rangers Twitter post.
Intentional walks with bases loaded, since 1950:
Corey Seager, tonight
Josh Hamilton, 2008
Barry Bonds, 1998Tonight & '08 were vs Joe Maddon-managed teams
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 16, 2022
The Rangers acquired Seager in the offseason in a massive move to bolster their hitting core. Seager was an integral part of the Dodgers' 2020 World Series run, but he was priced out of the team by his new team. They are looking to make it to the playoffs this year and make some progress for their franchise.
However, we got to ask… why did the Angels walk Seager there? The Rangers were up 3-2 at that point, and the lead eventually was extended to as much as four runs. It's a baffling move for the team, but Texas is more than willing to take that gaffe.
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