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It’s a trick, he said. Hasn’t failed him yet. It’s how he stole three bases in the Royals’ 5-2 home-opening win over the Yankees on Tuesday and how he plans on stealing a heck of a lot more.
But he won’t tell you.
“I can’t give it out,” he said, smiling slightly. “If it’s in the paper, they’ll know.”
So Gathright will hold tight to his secret, and can you blame him? He went two for four on Tuesday with two runs scored, both after stolen bases, and helped change the game.
The first two steals came on pitchouts. The last one — which tied a career high for a game — was such a sure thing that Yankees catcher Jorge Posada didn’t even bother to throw.
“He’s the kind of guy who can make the other team crazy,” Royals shortstop Tony Peña said. “They know he can steal. Look what he did today. He got two stolen bases on pitchouts. That tells you a lot about what he brings to the table.”
Trey Hillman’s personality and style dictates that these Royals will be more go-go than recent teams. Ross Gload and Peña also stole bases on Tuesday, giving the Royals nine in eight games this season. Last year’s team had 78, which ranked 10th in the American League.
“He adds a lot of excitement to this lineup,” Hillman said. “You can do a lot of things with him on the base paths.”
Keep this up, and Gathright will be known nationally as more than the YouTube sensation who leaped over a Mitsubishi Gallant and a Dodgers pitcher.
Gathright is, at least for now, a fill-in while regular center fielder David DeJesus recovers from a sprained ankle. Technically he is just the fourth outfielder, but his importance and potential effect to the team extends far beyond that.
The Royals have guys with speed — Mark Teahen and Alex Gordon, for instance — but nobody besides Gathright can get on base with a bunt and then steal his way to third.
“Speed kills because speed puts a lot of pressure on people,” Gordon said. “That’s what he does. He slaps it around, gets on base and runs like crazy.”
Gathright was quick to point out that this was just one game, but his steady improvement since the Royals acquired him in Dayton Moore’s first trade in 2006 hints that we may see more of this.
Gathright said he put too much pressure on himself last year to perform. He feels looser this year, a little more confident.
“I know I can play this game,” he said. “I know I can steal bases. So I just have to come out and do it.”
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