Stay aggressive, Matheny tells Wong - STLtoday.com
Louis Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong (left) forces out Milwaukee Brewers' Logan Schafer (right) but his throw was not in time for the double play in ninth inning action during a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers... Manager Mike Matheny said he was fine with the young, emotional infielder taking “ownership” of his misplays. But he doesn’t want it to change Wong’s style of play. He just needs to be the player that he’s continuing to become,” Matheny said. He’s an exciting player who can make exciting plays. On the first ball put in play Monday, Wong failed to field the ball cleanly. In the seventh inning, Wong fielded a ball on the shortstop’s side of second base and attempted one of his jump throws to first base. The throw went wild, and that allowed a run to score — what proved to be the winning run. Wong explained that he didn’t have a good grip on the ball but tried to make the throw anyway, just to see if first baseman Matt Adams might catch and apply a tag. “That’s a dumb throw,” Wong said. Wong had a strong spring defensively, and he has proven to be an above average fielder in the majors. Wong had nine defensive runs saved last season, according to Bill James Online. Wong exploits his arm strength — it aids in his swift turns of double plays — and athletic ability, while Matheny said he’s searching for his rhythm, his footwork on. Source: www.stltoday.com
