Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ's left nut
The numbers don't actually support this.
And honestly, nor does a fair recollection of events. McGwire always espoused a very patient hitting approach and a simple 'back up the box' swing. Mike Easler and Mitchell Page were also similar in this regard.
Hal McRae was a 'grip it and rip it' kind of coach, but that wasn't a common LaRussa theme and it certainly wasn't something you could put at McGwire's feet. Even now, drawing walks is about the only thing the Dodgers do well.
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2011: 812 times where they swung and put the first ball in play: 5 times per game.
2012: 810 times where they swung and put the first ball in play: 5 times per game.
2013: 219 times where they swung and put the first ball in play: 4.46 times per game.
That's a pretty significant drop off, and I don't think it's explained by this team being full of swing and miss hackers.
Patience isn't solely defined by walks taken. I don't know what the pitches/PA is for this team, but I'd be surprised if it was the same or lower than the previous two years.
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"When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
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