CHICAGO — Maybe they thought Carlos Beltran would be lost in thought about being named an All-Star for the ninth time. Perhaps they didn’t think he was paying attention when Alex Rodriguez’s fly to center moved Beltran from second to third.
Whatever the reason, the White Sox attempted to pull the hidden-ball-trick on Beltran Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field, and it failed because the 39-year-old veteran and third-base coach Joe Espada were paying attention.
With Beltran at third, pitcher Carlos Rodon was off the mound toward the third-base grass. Third baseman Todd Frazier, who had taken the throw from the outfield, faked tossing the ball to the pitcher and kept it.