Metzger Embraces Role as Leadoff Hitter, Lead Entertainer
August 3, 2021 - American Association (AA)
Chicago Dogs News Release
Mystical forces may have been listening to the dugout conversations at Impact Field.
As Grant Kay sprinted to third base in the fourth inning of the Chicago Dogs' 11-7 win over the Kane County Cougars on July 29, manager Butch Hobson tossed his palms to the sky.
Kay had to settle for a triple, but as he returned to the dugout, he told teammate Brennan Metzger that he was ready to run home. Metzger told Kay that he had never hit an inside-the-park home run throughout his baseball career.
Enter: mystical forces. Later that night, during Metzger's seventh inning at-bat, his fly ball ricocheted off the right field wall.
"I saw it kick," Metzger said. "And I was like, 'Well, I've got a triple here for sure.'"
Unlike Kay's triple in the fourth inning, there was no stopping Metzger as he made a turn for home.
"I saw Butch sending me," Metzger continued. "I was like, 'Oh, let's go.'"
Metzger's first career inside-the-park home run secured a series victory in the Dogs' "Battle for the 'Burbs" rivalry with Kane County.
Metzger went 4-for-5 that night, which epitomized his impact on the Dogs. His diverse skillset has consistently positioned him at the top of the Dogs' lineup, but batting leadoff is a role he hated earlier in his career.
Metzger wasn't comfortable stepping to the plate as the first batter of the game, but his attitude has since evolved. Employed as the leadoff hitter for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks from 2017 to 2020, Metzger learned to embrace this responsibility.
"The idea that I get the opportunity to set the table, set the tone, set the energy for the game up there," Metzger said. "That's something that fuels me ... I thoroughly enjoy it and I have fun with it."
A keen eye at the plate has Metzger pacing uncharted territory.ÃÂ The Dogs' leadoff man is second in the American Association with 59 walks, which is just three shy of his career high of 62 in 2018.
His .429 on-base percentage in 2021 has made him the ideal candidate to set the tone for the Dogs, but his high walk rate isn't necessarily intentional. Metzger said his mentality at the plate is to react to pitches, take them if they are out of the zone and be comfortable with moving on to the next pitch.
And when Metzger takes a walk to begin an inning, next up is usually his pregame-hype partner Michael Crouse. A few weeks into the season, Metzger and Crouse noticed themselves on video board as the camera peered into the dugout for about 15 seconds before the Dogs took the field.
So the Dogs' one-two punch at the top of the order started to wing it. Whether it's handshakes, flexing at the camera, clinking plastic tea cups together or rolling Tonka trucks on the dugout bench, Metzger and Crouse always try to entertain the fans before the game.
Metzger and Crouse have used props that Dogs pitcher Michael Bowden brings to the stadium, but most of the time these routines are off the cuff.
Metzger describes these performances as being kids and having fun. The goal behind these pregame routines is to build anticipation of, "what are these guys going to do next?" among the fans.
"I like the camera on me," Metzger said. "It fires me up. It keeps me loose, and when I'm loose and having fun, I play at my best, so I'm trying to put myself in that position. Hopefully, that kind of energy spreads to everyone else, too."
Before his pregame skits with Crouse began, Metzger's calling card as the Dogs' lead entertainer started during a fireworks delay against the Milwaukee Milkmen on July 1.
As the rest of his team headed to the clubhouse, Metzger boogied his way to left field. For nearly 10 minutes, Metzger grooved to the tunes of DJ Cabrera over the Impact Field speakers.
For Metzger, busting out his dance moves in the outfield started by simply messing around a few years ago.
"I got to the point where I was like, 'I don't really care what people think of me,'" Metzger said.
Now, a first-hand look at the Cupid-Shuffling Metzger has become a regular occurrence for fans at Impact field. It helps Metzger relax at the plate and creates good vibes in the dugout as the Dogs approach the home stretch of a tight playoff race.
"Whether we win or lose, if the people can get a little bonus entertainment or something they're going to remember and go, 'Wow, I had fun at that game,'" Metzger said. "That's what it's all about to me."
American Association Stories from August 3, 2021
- Milkmen Hang on for Series Clincher - Kane County Cougars
- Metzger Embraces Role as Leadoff Hitter, Lead Entertainer - Chicago Dogs
- Milkmen Tally 16 Hits, Tame Cougars 8-4 - Milwaukee Milkmen
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Cade Gotta Goes Deep, Scores Twice in Gary Opener - Sioux Falls Canaries
- RedHawks Defeat Monarchs in Opener - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Crouse's Late HR Not Enough to Fuel Dogs Comeback - Chicago Dogs
- Monarchs Nine Game Win Streak Snapped in Fargo-Moorhead - Kansas City Monarchs
- Hernandez Hammers Chicago as Cleburne Seizes Opener - Cleburne Railroaders
- Mercado's Four RBI Rockets RailCats Past Canaries - Gary SouthShore Railcats
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