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Stolen base king Billy Hamilton victim of armed robbery

Billy Hamilton, Zack Cozart

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart, right, tags out Reds Futures’ Billy Hamilton trying to steal second base during the first inning an exhibition baseball, Tuesday, April 3, 2012 in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tony Tribble)

AP

Reds prospect Billy Hamilton, also known as the fastest man in baseball, was the victim of an armed robbery yesterday while in Winston Salem for the California League-Carolina League All-Star game.

Hamilton, who’s hitting .322 with an amazing 80 stolen bases in 66 games at high Single-A, was allegedly robbed by two men wielding a hand gun around midnight.

And according to WXII12.com minutes later an umpire working the All-Star game was also robbed on the same street, presumably by the same two men.

If this were a movie, of course, the robber would snatch Hamilton’s wallet and start running, at which point Hamilton would give him like a five-minute head start while twiddling his thumbs. And then chase him down with ease. Unfortunately the presence of a gun--and Hamilton being smarter than a movie script--kind of ruled that out.

Alanis Morissette would call this whole story ironic. Oh, and Hamilton had two stolen bases and was named MVP of the All-Star game. Obviously.