Bottom 9th, down by 1: Former big leaguers share who they want up
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It’s the bottom of the ninth inning. Your team is down by just one run. Which three MLB stars would you want at the plate?
Asked by former Phillies standouts Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins on the latest episode of the “6-1-1” Podcast, several former Major Leaguers provided their own unique perspectives.
Able to choose any three active hitters, outfielder Chris Young -- who spent his 13-year MLB career with six different clubs -- picked one of his former teammates to start things off.
“I’ve seen him come through in clutch moments, and I just know the level of competitor that he is,” Young said. “Man, this dude is a clutch player. I want him on my team.”
After that, Young opted for a pair of current teammates who can get on base with the best of them and bash the baseball like few others.
“I understand that they’re on the same team, but this is the best 2-3 combo that I’ve ever seen -- no offense to the Philly boys or any other team that had these powerhouses,” Young said.
Former big league reliever Dellin Betances, meanwhile, was able to provide a pitcher’s perspective. Like each guest on the show, Betances was asked not only for a list of three hitters he’d want to bring to the plate with the game on the line but also three active pitchers -- one to face each batter.
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Betances, who pitched for the Yankees and Mets from 2011-2021, had a unique approach to the question.
“Since I’m a reliever, I’m going with three relievers,” he said. “My relievers could get any of them out -- that’s just my take.”
Betances selected one flamethrowing closer to match up with each of his hitters, basing his picks on the pitchers’ arsenals and their ability to attack where the superstar hitters are vulnerable.
“We can pull the numbers,” Betances said. “Hopefully I’m right.”
Former MLB outfielder Justin Upton and infielder Jed Lowrie also named the hitters and pitchers they’d like to see with the game on the line.
To check out their selections and hear more from Young and Betances, watch the full episode of 6-1-1 on MLB.com and MLB.TV and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.