ARLINGTON, Texas _ Each time Cameron Maybin of the Los Angeles Angels strolls toward home plate, a battle between reason and temptation is being waged. While he steadies his stance, he reminds himself where he wants to hit the ball: between second base and the second baseman, safely up the middle.
"But my subconscious," Maybin said, inching close and intensifying his voice, "that little guy, he's like, 'Well, what if he hangs a slider? You could get him.' "
Reason tells him that if he tries to go deep he'll probably swing at a poor pitch, fly out and be angry at himself for half an hour.
" 'Dude, you got some power, though,' " temptation replies. "B.P. was crazy. You could get him."
Maybin, 30, has been waging that tug-of-war at the big league level for a decade. Only in the last three seasons has reason regularly won. As a man, the kid once touted as a true five-tool player has become a prototypical leadoff hitter, running the bases more fervently than ever while eschewing homers for walks.
"I'm just trying to stay away from that guy," he said of the evil voice.
