>>Fast facts
The ultimate measure of respect
When Joe Maddon had Josh Hamilton intentionally walked with the bases loaded Sunday night, it was just the second time in 60 years and the fifth time in modern baseball history the strategy was employed.
May 23, 1901
Hitter: Nap Lajoie, left
Situation: Ninth inning, bases loaded, no outs and the White Sox leading the Athletics 11-7. Player-manager Clark Griffith takes the mound himself and walks Lajoie, who was on his way to the Triple Crown.
Result: Griffith gets the next three hitters to ground out, and the White Sox win 11-9.
May 2, 1928
Hitter: Del Bissonette
Situation: Ninth inning, bases loaded, two outs and the Giants leading the Brooklyn Robins 2-0. Manager John McGraw, left, has the rookie Bissonette walked to end the shutout.
Result: The next hitter strikes out, and the Giants win 2-1.
July 23, 1944
Hitter: Bill Nicholson, left
Situation: Eighth inning, bases loaded, no outs and the Giants leading the Cubs 10-7 in the second game of a doubleheader. Having already seen Nicholson hit four home runs in the two games, manager Mel Ott has him intentionally walked.
Result: The Cubs scored three runs in the inning to tie the score, but the Giants eventually won 12-10.
May 28, 1998
Hitter: Barry Bonds, left
Situation: Ninth inning, bases loaded, two outs and the Diamondbacks leading the Giants 8-6. Manager Buck Showalter has closer Gregg Olson intentionally walk Bonds, who was hitting .310 with 10 home runs.
Result: Brett Mayne lines out, and the Diamondbacks win 8-7.
News
