I've never noticed something like this before: Mark Kotsay's final AB.

[digicat]

Mark Kotsay mentioned a few weeks ago that he was retiring at the end of the season.

After striking out against SF's Barry Zito to end the top half of the 8th inning of the final game of the season, Kotsay laid his bat, helmet, and batting gloves on home plate and walked back to the dugout. He was replaced on defense for the bottom of the 8th.

Was that some sort of symbolic thing he did, or is that standard for a player to drop his gear at home plate and make the bat-boy carry it back to the dugout, even if he's heading to the dugout himself?

 

[P_Manning 18]

He left it all on the field.

 

[BBCgalaxee]

I honestly thought he retired years ago

Sent from my HTCONE using Freedom Card Board mobile app

 

[heavy_hitter]

Farewell.

 

[AmishDave]

Another reason I will weep tonight. Loved him from Fullerton til his last AB. :'(

 

[theacox]

...and here I was hoping he would do it by nearly face-tagging 2nd base again.

 

[rsmath]

Was that some sort of symbolic thing he did, or is that standard for a player to drop his gear at home plate and make the bat-boy carry it back to the dugout, even if he's heading to the dugout himself?

usually done to show anger or disagreement with the umpire about striking out.

In Kotsay's case, more likely done on purpose, not at anger towards the ump for striking out and disagreeing about it.

 

[MisterT]

He left it all on the field.

I think you nailed it. My guess is that is exactly what he was trying to symbolize.

 

[DiebytheCubs]

He left it all on the field.

This

 

[morgoth]

When wrestlers retire they leave their shoes on the mat when their last match is done. If you watch the Olympics you see it every games.

 

[TwinsWin]

When wrestlers retire they leave their shoes on the mat when their last match is done. If you watch the Olympics you see it every games.

Rulonnnnnnn

 

[rsmath]

here's a video link to the at-bat:

Video: SD@SF: Kotsay takes his final Major League at-bat | MLB.com

Definitely looked like it was time for Kotsay to retire.

 

[rum151man]

I honestly thought he retired years ago

Sent from my HTCONE using Freedom Card Board mobile app

Lol

 

[DiebytheCubs]

here's a video link to the at-bat:

Video: SD@SF: Kotsay takes his final Major League at-bat | MLB.com

Definitely looked like it was time for Kotsay to retire.

That's a really cool video. Although niether player would really be considered "great," it had all the elements that make baseball great

 

[jbhofmann]

A lot of players that make the 3rd out will lay all their equipment at home and start walking to their position and a fielder next to them will "pick them up" by bringing their hat and glove to them.

The wrestler reference is more than likely the case here.

 

[smapdi]

It's a good thing he didn't get a hit, or, God forbid, scored. Wouldn't have quite the symbolism if he did it at 2nd base, or in the dugout.

 

[PeteD]

There used to be a huge Kotsay collector around, guess he never made it here?

 

[DaleMurphyCollector]

This thread is useless without a picture of Kotsay's wife....