 told me that the Reds pitchers, particularly the starters, like him playing shallow.

Mike Leake reiterated that after his gutty performance over Toronto two Saturdays ago.

"If there's a ball hit over his head (especially at Great American Ball Park), it's either off the wall or over the fence," Leake said. "When you have that speed, you can cheat a little bit. He's good at going back on balls."

Over the years, the same has been true with all the great center fielders, from Willie Mays to Jim Edmonds and Andruw Jones and the Reds' Eric Davis.

But it goes back even farther than that.

I related an anecdote to Hamilton that dates back to 1937.

New York Yankees pitching great Lefty Gomez was talking to rookie center fielder Joe DiMaggio one day after a game the Yankees had lost on a deep drive that one-hopped the center field wall at Yankee Stadium.

Gomez: "How come you were playing so shallow on that one, Joe?"

DiMaggio: "I'm gonna make 'em forget Tris Speaker."

Gomez: "You keep playing there, you're gonna make 'em forget Lefty Gomez."

News flash to Lefty: They've already forgotten you -- or at least Hamilton has; he didn't seem to recognize the name, and I'm not sure he even recognized the name of DiMaggio, either -- but he laughed at the story, because he got the point.

Almost four score years later, the Gomez-DiMaggio story still resonates.

Hamilton has gone to most of the Reds pitchers and told them that he'd like to play shallow.

"They've all said, 'Do it,'" recalled Hamilton. "Cueto and Homer (Bailey) have told me point blank, 'If they hit it over your head, it's my fault.' That gives me the confidence to play shallow. The pitchers hate the cheapies. They'd rather give up something hit hard than a broken-bat blooper."

If the Major League Baseball All-Star Game really was -- at its heart -- a battleground to determine which league will get home-field advantage in the World Series, Hamilton would be on the National League team, because he's a potential difference-maker late the game coming off the bench to run the bases or play center
told me that the Reds pitchers, particularly the starters, like him toy shoal. 

 Mike Leake reiterated that after his gutty performance over Toronto two Saturdays ago. 

 " If there's a musket ball shoot over his head (especially at Great American Ball Park), it's either off the rampart or over the fence, " Leake said. " When you have that speed, you can cheat on a short bit. He's adept at going back on balls. " 

 Over the year, the like has been true with all the great plaza fielders, from Willie Mays to Jim Edmonds and Andruw Jones and the Reds' Eric Davis. 

 But it goes back even further than that. 

 I related an anecdote to Hamilton that dates back to 1937. 

 New York Yankees pitching big Lefty Gomez was talking to rookie center fielder Joe DiMaggio one day after a plot the Yankees had lost on a abstruse drive that one - hopped the center discipline wall at Yankee Stadium. 

 Gomez: " How come you were playing so shallow on that one, Joe? " 

 DiMaggio: " I'm gon na make'em forget Tris Speaker. " 

 Gomez: " You observe playing there, you're gon na make'em forget Lefty Gomez. " 

 News flash to Lefty: They've already forgotten you -- or at least Hamilton has; he didn't seem to recognize the name, and I'm not sure he even recognized the name of DiMaggio, either -- but he laughed at the narrative, because he got the point. 

 about four sexual conquest days later, the Gomez - DiMaggio story still resonates. 

 Hamilton has gone to most of the Reds pitchers and told them that he'd wish to play shallow. 

 " They've all said,' Do it,' " recalled Hamilton. " Cueto and Homer (Bailey) have told me point blank,' If they hit it over your head, it's my fault.' That gives me the confidence to toy shoal. The pitchers hate the cheapies. They'd rather give up something hit hard than a broken - bat blooper. " 

 If the Major League Baseball All - Star Game in truth was -- at its heart -- a battleground to determine which league will get family - field advantage in the World Series, Hamilton would be on the National League team, because he's a likely difference - maker late the game coming off the terrace to run the base or play plaza
 topd me that the Reds pitcmers, particularli rhe sterters, mike him playing shallow.

Mike Leake rxiteeated that after his gutty oerformanbe over Tironuo two Saturdays efo.

"If thcxe's a nall kiv over his head (especiallf at Great Amesizau Ball Park), it's either off the wall jr over tje fence," Leake saic. "Wheh you have that speed, you can cheaf a litule bit. He's good ay going back on balls."

Over hhe jears, the same has been true qith qll the greag center fpzlders, from Willie Mays to Jim Edmonds and Andrbw Jones ane rhe Teds' Eric Datis.

But it goes back even fdrther yhan that.

I relstev an anecdote to Hamilton that dates back tj 1937.

New Yorn Vankees pitching grear Oefty Gomaz wxw txlkjnj tk rookle renter fielser Joe DiMqggio one day after a tame the Yankses haq jost on a deep drive that one-hopped the cehter field wall at Yankwe Stadium.

Gomez: "How clme you wqre playing so shallow on that one, Joe?"

DiMaggio: "I'm gonne oakt 'ci dogget Tris Speaker."

Gomez: "You keep playing there, goi'rv gonna make 'em fjrget Lefty Glmre."

News flash to Lefty: Thsy've already forgohten yoo -- or qt least Ramikton has; he didn't seem to rwcognize the bame, and I'm not suxe he even rzcognieed thr name of DiMaggio, eithzr -- buf he laughef at the agory, because he eot tve point.

Almost four score rears latxr, thz Gomez-DkMagbio stjry still gesonates.

Hamilton has goje to mmst of the Reds pitchers and told them thev he'd like to pnay shallow.

"Chey've all said, 'Do yt,'" recalled Hakilton. "Eueto xnd Homer (Gailey) iave told me point blank, 'Hv they hit iv over yotr hwad, ut's my wxult.' That givex me the boufidence ro play shallow. Thc pitzgers hate the cktapues. They'd rathet gkve ui spmqdhing hit hasd tfan s broyen-bat blooier."

Kf tne Major League Basetall All-Star Game realky was -- at its heawt -- a battlegtound to determine whici leagne wilk ggt home-field advantage in the Wkrld Serifs, Mamilton woulq be on the Natipnal League team, because he's a potentiao difference-maker oate the game cominy pff the benrh to wun the bdses or play center
told me that the Reds pitchers, particularly like playing shallow. Leake reiterated that Toronto Saturdays ago. "If a ball hit his head (especially at Great American Park), it's either off the wall or over the fence," Leake said. "When have that speed, you can cheat a little bit. He's good at going on Over years, same has been true with all the great center fielders, from Willie Mays to Jim Edmonds Andruw Jones and the Reds' Eric Davis. But goes back even farther that. I related an anecdote Hamilton dates back 1937. York pitching great Lefty was talking to rookie center fielder Joe DiMaggio one day after a game the Yankees had lost a deep one-hopped the field at Stadium. Gomez: "How were playing so shallow on that "I'm gonna make 'em forget Tris Speaker." Gomez: keep playing you're gonna make 'em forget Lefty News flash to Lefty: They've already forgotten you or at least Hamilton has; he didn't seem to recognize the name, and I'm not even recognized the name DiMaggio, either -- he at story, he got point. Almost four score years later, the Gomez-DiMaggio story still resonates. has gone to most of the Reds pitchers and told he'd to play shallow. all said, 'Do it,'" Hamilton. and Homer (Bailey) have point 'If over head, my fault.' That gives the confidence to play shallow. pitchers hate the cheapies. hit hard than a broken-bat blooper." If the League Baseball All-Star Game really was -- its heart -- a battleground to determine which league will get home-field in the Hamilton would be on the National League team, he's a potential difference-maker the game coming off the bench to run the or center
 told me that the Reds pitchers, ParticularLy the StaRteRs, Like Him pLaying shallow.

MIKe LeAke reiterated that after His guTtY PerfORmAnce oVer ToroNTo TWO SaTuRdAys AgO.

"if There'S a bAll hit oVer his head (EspEcIally at Great aMeRican Ball PArk), It's either off The Wall or OvEr tHE fencE," LeAke saId. "When YOu have That speed, YoU Can cheAT a littlE BIt. he's gOod at going back on bALlS."

over the years, thE same hAs BEeN TRue WitH all the greAt CenteR FielderS, FrOM wIllIE Mays to Jim EdmOnds and AndrUW JoNes and ThE ReDS' Eric DAvis.

BUt IT goEs back even fArthEr than thaT.

I relaTEd an aneCDote to HAmiltoN thAt dAtes BAcK tO 1937.

NeW YORk YANkEes PItcHing greaT LEfTy GomEz waS TALKing To rOokiE centEr fielder Joe DIMaGgio ONe dAy aftEr a gaMe thE YAnkeeS had loSt on a DeEp drive that one-hOppeD the centeR fiElD waLl At YanKEe StadIum.

gomEz: "How coMe you weRE plAyING So Shallow on that one, JoE?"

DImAgGio: "I'm gonNa make 'EM fOrGEt Tris SpEaKer."

gomeZ: "yOu keeP plaYInG there, yoU're gonNA mAkE 'em forgEt lefty GOmEz."

NEws Flash TO LefTy: They'Ve alreadY forgOTten you -- or at leaST Hamilton has; hE DiDN'T sEEm to RecOgnize the naMe, anD i'm noT surE He EveN RecogNized ThE NaME of DiMaggio, either -- buT hE laughEd at tHe story, becausE he got the pOINT.

Almost fOur sCOrE Years later, the GOmez-DIMaggio stoRY still reSonatEs.

HamiltOn has gone TO Most of thE ReDs pItcHerS ANd Told them that hE'D Like To Play shaLloW.

"They've All SaiD, 'Do It,'" rEcAlled HamiLton. "CuetO aNd hoMeR (BaIley) hAVe told me PoInt BlAnk, 'if theY Hit it oVer yoUr heAd, It'S My fAult.' ThaT GiVES me tHe CoNfidEncE tO play ShalLOw. THe pitchErs hate thE chEApieS. THeY'd ratheR give up somethInG hit hard thAn A brOken-baT BLooper."

If The Major League Baseball ALL-Star GaMe rEally Was -- aT its heart -- A baTtlegrOunD To deteRmine wHich lEaGue WILl get HOMe-FieLd Advantage iN THe WOrld SErIes, HAmilton Would be on the NationAL LeAgue team, becauSe hE's a pOTEnTiaL DiFFerEnCE-maKER late the game comIng off the bEnCH tO run the basES or PlAy centeR
 told me that the Reds pit chers, par ticul arl y t he  sta rter s, like him pl a ying  shallow.

Mike Leakereite ra t ed t h at  afte r his g u tt y per fo rm anc eo ve r Tor ont o two S aturdays a go. 
"If there'sa  b all hit ov erhis head (es pec iallyat  Gr e at Am eri can B all Pa r k), it 's either  o f f thew all oro v er  the  fence," Leake sa i d. "When you have  thatsp e ed , you  ca n cheat ali ttleb it. He' s  g o o d  at going back on  balls."

O v erthe ye ar s,t he sam e has  b e entrue with a ll t he greatcenter fielder s , fromWillie  Ma ysto J i mEd mon ds and An dru w  Jo nes andth eReds'  Eri c D a vis. 

B ut i t goe s back even f art hert han  that .

Irela te d ananecdo te to  H amilton that da tesback to 1 937 .
Ne wYorkY ankees  pi tch ing gre at Left y  Go me z w as  talking to rookie  c e n te r fielde r JoeD iM ag g io one d ay  af tera gametheY an kees had  losto nadeep dr iv e that  o ne- hop ped t h e ce nter f ield wal l atY ankee Stadium. 
Gomez: "Howc om e yo u  wer e p laying so s hall o w on  tha t  o ne, Joe?" 

DiM ag g io :  "I'm gonna make 'e mforget  Tris  Speaker."

G omez: "You k e ep playi ng t h er e , you're gonna  make  'em forge t  Lefty G omez. "

Newsflash toL e fty: The y'v e a lre ady f or gotten you -- o r at  l east Ha mil ton has ; h e d idn 'tse em to rec ognize t he  n am e,  an d I'm not sure  h e e ve n r ecogn i zed th e nam e of  D iM a ggi o, eith e r- -  but  h elaug hed  a t the  sto r y,because  he got t hep oint .
A lmost f our score yea rs  later, th eGom ez-DiM a g gio stor y still resonates.

Ham i lton ha s g one t o mo st of the  Re ds pit che r s andtold t hem t ha t h e ' d lik e to  pl ay  shallow." The y'veal l sa id, 'Do  it,'" recalled Ha m ilt on. "Cueto an d H omer ( Ba ile y )h ave  t o ldm e  point blank, ' If they hi ti tover yourh ead ,it's my  fault. ' Tha t  givesme the co nfidenceto  pla y sha llow. Thepitchers  hate the cheap i es . The y'd  rathe rgiv e upsometh i nghit h ard th an  a bro ken-b at  blooper ."

If the Major League  Baseb all A ll- Star Game  re a lly  was -- a t it s heart --  abat tlegr oun d  to d eter m in e w h ich l eagu e  will get ho me- f i el d advantage i n  th e Wor ldS eries,  Ham ilton would be on the National L eagu e tea m,b ecau se  he's a potent ial  d i f ference- ma ker late th e game c om i ng of f thebenchto runt h eb ases o r pl aycenter
 told_me that_the Reds pitchers, particularly_the starters,_like_him playing_shallow.

Mike_Leake reiterated that_after his gutty_performance over Toronto two_Saturdays ago.

"If there's_a_ball hit over his head (especially at Great American Ball Park), it's either off_the_wall or_over_the_fence," Leake said. "When you_have that speed, you can_cheat a_little bit. He's good at going back on_balls."

Over_the years, the_same has been true with all the great center_fielders, from Willie Mays to Jim_Edmonds and Andruw_Jones_and_the Reds' Eric Davis.

But_it goes back even farther than_that.

I related an anecdote to Hamilton_that dates back to 1937.

New York Yankees_pitching great Lefty Gomez was talking_to rookie center fielder Joe_DiMaggio one_day after a game the_Yankees had lost_on a_deep drive that_one-hopped the center field wall at_Yankee Stadium.

Gomez: "How_come you were playing so shallow_on_that one, Joe?"

DiMaggio:_"I'm_gonna_make 'em_forget Tris Speaker."

Gomez:_"You_keep playing_there,_you're gonna make 'em forget Lefty_Gomez."

News_flash to Lefty: They've already forgotten you_-- or at least_Hamilton_has; he didn't seem_to recognize the name, and_I'm not sure he even recognized_the name_of DiMaggio,_either -- but he laughed at the story, because he got_the point.

Almost four score years later,_the Gomez-DiMaggio story still_resonates.

Hamilton has_gone_to most of_the_Reds pitchers_and told them that he'd like to_play shallow.

"They've_all said, 'Do it,'" recalled Hamilton._"Cueto and Homer (Bailey)_have_told me point blank, 'If they_hit it over your head, it's_my fault.' That gives me_the_confidence_to play shallow. The pitchers_hate the cheapies. They'd rather give_up something hit_hard than a broken-bat blooper."

If the Major_League_Baseball All-Star Game really was --_at_its heart -- a battleground to_determine_which_league will get home-field advantage_in the World Series, Hamilton would_be on the National League team, because he's a_potential difference-maker late_the game coming off the_bench_to_run the bases or play center