(AUDACY) Speedy White Sox outfielder Billy Hamilton has somewhat surprisingly never hit an inside-the-park home run throughout his nine-year MLB career, but he has been on a little bit of a power surge lately. Hamilton homered in back-to-back games as the White Sox swept the Orioles over the weekend.
Both of those cleared the fence, and even in those situations, we got to witness Hamilton's trademark wheels as he rounded the bases and opted not to admire his sudden ability to hit the long ball.
Against Cleveland ace Shane Bieber on Tuesday, however, it was a different story. Hamilton was forced to use his wheels. With a 1-0 count in the top of the second and the Indians having taken an early lead, Hamilton had a two-out opportunity to drive in some much-needed runs, and boy did he come through. Hamilton didn't get an official home run in the box score, but he hit what's known as a Little League homer -- which was helped by Indians catcher Austin Hedges dropping a relay.
The official ruling was a double followed by an error by Hedges. Hamilton had previously discussed what may have been a missed opportunity for an inside-the-park home run back in 2017 and said that he'd "get one one of these days." He's still waiting.
The only other inside-the-park home run Hamilton had been a part of, at least that comes to mind, was perhaps the worst possible play for Hamilton, considering he was playing defense and was injured as part of the freak occurrence.
This time around, as Hamilton ended up belly-down and with his head in his hands once again, it was out of pure happiness.
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