even the batter knew he was struck as he proceeded to walk towards his own dugout and then turned around and walked over to first base. had he truly believed in heart of hearts that it was a live ball, why did he stop at first base?
THe walking toward the dugout is legit - he just swung and missed and it took a second to realize he was never called out. I can see that. Stopping at first I can't dismiss right away - for the zillion times I've seen that play I can't recall where the ball was in relation to any Angels by the time he was at first. Too many beers by then for my memory to replay it perfectly. You raised a key question with that.