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June 7, 2011

Tater Trot Tracker

Trot Times for June 6

by Larry Granillo

A light day for home runs - in the majors at least. The minors were a different story. Monday did have good news in one form, though. It was the day Major League Baseball welcomed Adam Rosales back to the field. There will be more on that in a minute.

For now, let's get to the trots!

Home Run of the Day: Adam Rosales, Oakland Athletics - 19.16 seconds [video]
It didn't take long for me to find my favorite trotter last year. The A's Adam Rosales isn't the biggest of home run hitters, but, when he does hit one, it's nothing but fun. In 2010, the only home run trots clocked in under 16.5 seconds were inside-the-park home runs (17 of them) - and five Adam Rosales trots. That's right, Rosales was on par with inside-the-park hitters five times. Of his seven home runs, the only two that weren't under 16.5 seconds were the two non-solo home runs he hit. More than anyone else, Rosales hauls around the bases at the moment of contact on all home runs.

It was sad, then, when he went down for the season last August. That meant no more tater trots. Monday was his first day back in the big leagues and, in his second at-bat, he went yard. The trot was a bit slow - partly due to Rosales himself, but mostly due to the runner on base who just didn't seem to know a sprinter was behind him. Monday's trot may not have been quite as fast as we're used to from Rosales, but I'm glad to have him back.

Slowest Trot: Nelson Cruz #2, Texas Rangers - 24.75 seconds [video]
There were sixteen home runs hit around the big leagues on Monday. Six were hit in the Tigers-Rangers game in Arlington. Four were hit by Nelson Cruz and Brennan Boesch (two apiece). Funny how things are sometimes. This was a beauty of a blast, nearly clearing the bullpen in left field. It's hard to imagine Cruz could hit it much harder.

Quickest Trot: Adam Rosales, Oakland Athletics - 19.16 seconds [video]
And even when Rosales runs out a "slow" trot, we still see him down here with the Quickest Trot of the day. Fitting. And apologies to Brennan Boesch, who almost certainly would have made the Home Run of the Day if it weren't for Rosales. Boesch went 5-for-6 with those two home runs in Detroit's victory. Pretty good game.

All of Today's Trots

Nelson Cruz #2.....24.75    Asdrubal Cabrera...21.99
Paul Konerko.......24.39    Alex Avila.........21.89
Brennan Boesch #1..23.05    Nelson Cruz #1.....21.56
Brennan Boesch #2..22.89    Michael Brantley...20.82
Aaron Rowand.......22.89    Jonny Gomes........20.69*
Andy Dirks.........22.85    Michael Morse......20.59
Prince Fielder.....22.67    Drew Stubbs........19.51
Justin Ruggiano....22.26    Adam Rosales.......19.16