Hinch: Players should have fun, but also respect the game

HOUSTON — Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch

is all for letting the young kids play—and play loud. The Midwest City alum also wants them to respect the game.

Alex B reg man, the Astr os third baseman who is one of the young stars MLB has highlighted in its ad campaigns trying to reach younger fans, carried his bat past first base after hitting a home run in the first inning of Houston's 7-2 loss to the Washington Nationals in Game 6 of the World Series on Tuesday.

“I think we should always encourage players to show personality and be as open with the fans and drive the sport,” Hinch said before Game 7 on Wednesday. “So many good stories in these club houses, so many good people and players to celebrate, to a point, then it crosses a line where it was probably unnecessary to go that far.”

When Juan Soto homered later in that game, the Washington Nationals left field er who turned 21 during this Fall Classic mimicked Bregman with a similar action.

“When it gets to the competition on the field, I fear a little bit of it goes too far ,” Hinch said. “And I'm actually OK with Soto thinking that it was funny. I think that's part of these personalities that you have to individualize within our sport if you want to celebrate the youthfulness that comes with it.”

First base man Ryan Zimmerman has been in the majors for 15 seasons, all as the only player to be part of the Nationals for each season they have played. He believes the most important thing is that baseball is in good hands with t he young talent.

“Things like that 10 years a go would have never happened. And I'm not here to say it's good or bad ,” Zimmerman said. “The game has definitely gotten younger. I personally don't think there' s a place in the game for that stuff.”

Bregman spoke to Hinch three times Tuesday night about the move, and the 25- yearold third base man apologized publicly after the game, saying he let his emotions get the best of him.

Hinch said he would never want to see baseball try to eliminate any of the celebrations or bat flips. He said the exuberant celebrations like the handshakes, hugs and dancing in the dugout are fun for the younger fans that baseball is trying to attract.

Martinez checked by doctors after ejection

When Nationals manager Dave Martinez was having an animated conversation with umpires that led to his ejection in Game 6, he heard a fan screaming at him from above the dugout.

“Davey, your heart. Remember your heart,” t he manager recalled with a laugh before Game 7.

The 55-year-old Martinez had a heart procedure in mid-September after feeling tightness in his chest during a game.

Martinez said one of his doctors checked on him in the training room after he got ejected and asked him if he was OK.

“I just asked him, `Do I look OK?' Yeah,” Martinez said. “So yeah, they were all worried.”

Josh Hamilton charged with child injury

Former All-Star slugger Josh Hamilton has been charged with injury to a child after his 14- yearold daughter told his ex-wife that he had struck her.

Hamilton, 38, surrendered Wednesday to the Tar rant County Jail in Fort Worth, Texas, and was released on $35,000 bond. If convicted, he could be sentenced to two to 10 years in prison.

According to an affidavit by a Keller Police Department detective, Hamilton's daughter told police that he went on a rampage Sept. 30.