Do you know how many people misuse the word “literally?”  Here’s a time when almost everyone can get it right.

The Marlins pulled Hanley Ramirez out of Monday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning after a play in which hit literally booted a ball into the left field corner, then jogged after it.

This isn’t “booted” in baseball parlance, meaning an error on an easy play, either; I mean he reached down to pick up a flare off of Tony Abreu’s bat that landed just beyond his reach in shallow left field and instead, kicked the ball far away from him into the left field corner.

He didn’t hurry after the ball either, and as he took his time chasing after it and picking it up, two runners scored and Abreu ended up on third instead of on first.

“Didn’t hurry” is an understatement.  I saw this play and Hanley moved about as fast as constipated sloth.  Now, was he hurt?  He did foul a ball off his foot in the prior inning, but if he was hurt, why was he in the game?  And if he couldn’t run after the ball, why didn’t he just yell for Coughlan to chase it down?  It’s no secret that Hanley is a prima donna, but I can’t imagine anyone being such a cocksucker that they’d lollygag after booting a ball the way Hanley did.  I’m sure we’ll find out more tomorrow, but I’d be willing to bet anything he sits out this afternoon – either because he’s really hurt, or because it’ll look better for the Marlins if he fakes being hurt.

If he starts, I’ll literally shit my pants.

[MLB.com]