Donovan Solano knew what was going on. He didn’t need anyone to tell him.
When Tommy La Stella returned three weeks ago from a long stint on the injured list, he would resume his duties as a starting second baseman against right-wing pitchers. This would leave the role against left-handed pitchers, the most modest English cut of first rib in position, for Solano. The current Silver Slugger among the second bases in the National League should be satisfied with less on the plate. And if he faced a hard right-hand reliever between mid-final and final innings, La Stella is likely to replace him in the deck circle.
Solano could have reacted in many ways. He would not be the first established player to have a sense of right. Instead, he chose to see his tandem with La Stella as a wrestling team. They would join forces and support each other to get the most value out of the position. And when they passed the baton between them, they would do so with a ceremonial and symbolic gesture.
That’s how Solano and La Stella came to embrace in the middle of the games.
“We support each other so we can do the best for our team,” Solano said in a text with the help of Spanish performer Erwin Higueros. “It simply came to our notice then. That’s why we do it ”.
“It’s amazing,” one Giants coach said. “It’s fantastic. You just don’t see things like that happening.”
If there are two qualities that Giants coach Gabe Kapler hoped to instill in his clubhouse, they were alteration and preparation.