raise a glass

Billy Hamilton’s first major league stolen base came tonight in his MLB debut and is one worthy of any and all hoopla it generates. The Taylorsville High product entered a scoreless game as a pinch runner in the seventh inning for Cincinnati, drew three throws to first base and then swiped second – against St. Louis’ Yadier Molina, perhaps the best defensive catcher in the game. Hamilton scored the game’s only run on a hit by Todd Frazier. The win was a big one for the Reds, who are chasing both the Cardinals and first-place Pittsburgh in the National League Central. Hamilton has 395 minor league steals on his ledger, with a success rate of 82.5 percent. Can he have that kind of success in The Show? Well, he’s off to a darn good start.