AJ Hinch Waits 36 Hours After World Series to Complain About Foul Pole Yet Again

When you think back to Game 7 of the 2019 World Series, the big swing came from professional hitter Howie Kendrick, who drove the ball to the opposite field for a two-run homer off the foul pole to give the Washington Nationals the lead, which they never relinquished.

In the immediate aftermath of the contest, all of Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch's quotes were plenty gracious.

But, 36 hours later, it seems Hinch is telling those who will listen that "the game beat us" and Kendrick got lucky.

Hinch: "Howie Kendrick hits a pitch that never gets hit off the opposite-field foul pole."
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) November 1, 2019

Ahh, there it is.

In Hinch's defense, it wasn't a bad pitch, and it was shocking that Kendrick went bridge off the foul pole, especially since he's not a home run hitter, but this isn't the first time he's complained about a ball hitting off the foul pole (which both teams have access to!).

Hinch decided to point out the same thing when Aaron Hicks hit a three-run homer off the foul pole at Yankee Stadium in Game 5 of the ALCS.

Hinch said Kendrick hit a pitch that doesn't get hit for a HR. When it does, "you feel awful." #Astros #Nationals
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) November 1, 2019

Whether he's right or not about the pitch, instead of putting the onus on himself for going to the bullpen early, it sounds like sour grapes coming from Hinch.

It just took a little while for it to sink in.