Joey Gallo Gives Delightful Quote About Why He Doesn't Care About Shifts

There's no doubt that the new-age approach to the game of the baseball has turned off plenty of fans. The three true outcomes (walk, strikeout, home run) are a big part of the game, and there isn't a player in the sport who embodies that more than Texas Rangers slugger Joey Gallo.

Gallo may strike out too much, but he walks plenty and can hit the ball a country mile. He may never hit .300 in the big leagues, but that's just fine with him.

ESPN's Jeff Passan spoke with Gallo about his approach, and even though he could keep the defense honest by putting down a few bunts or trying to shoot the ball the other way, that's not his style, and he won't change even if he's been given a whole side of the infield.

After all, who is Joey Gallo if he's spanking singles?

"I always want a higher average," Gallo said. "I don't like hitting .206. But right now it's kind of part of the game, especially with the shifts. You don't just learn to hit the other way. If I'm slapping singles down the line, am I still Joey Gallo? Am I still productive? I can't try to play to that, because it's not me, and I like to play in the major leagues. I get paid to drive guys in and hit the ball out of the ballpark."

Simply put: Gallo doesn't care about shifts and is looking to do damage every time he strides to the plate. Bunting or slapping it the other way is not his strength, and the Rangers don't pay him for singles. They want him to drive the ball and hit homers. Period.