Three is obviously a big number in baseball.
Three strikes is out. Three outs make an inning. Three times three is nine, the number of defensive players in the field and the number of innings in a regulation game. Babe Ruth wore 3. So did Harmon Killebrew.
And Denard Span hit three three-baggers Tuesday.
That's not a record. There were a couple of 19th century players who hit four in a game, one a star (Bill Joyce, rated by Bill James the 61st best third baseman in history) and one a guy who makes Nick Punto, Al Newman and Jeff Reboulet look like sluggers (George Strief).
A good game for Span, to be sure. But if he ever gets an award for it, his acceptance speech should make sure to include thanks to Magglio Ordonez for making it all possible. Slow and disinterested is no way to play right field.
