Current Articles
PITCHING STRATEGY PART THREE: DEVELOPING YOUR SUCCESS ENGINE – COMPLIMENTARY AND ANTAGONISTIC PITCHES
The cornerstone to successful pitching strategy is the ‘Will to Win’. Every time a pitcher thinks about pitching, picks up a ball to throw, or walks out between the lines, he must have an attitude of preparing to win and of doing all he can to win. Next comes the ...
read morePITCHING STRATEGY PART ONE: THE CORNERSTONE – THE WILL TO WIN
What’s the purpose here, anyway? I ask this question to every pitcher before I begin working with him. I am always surprised by the variety of answers I get. Examples of responses are: throw strikes, strike everyone out, don’t walk anyone, throw hard, make the team, get outs, ...
read morePITCHING – DEVELOPING GOOD CONSISTENT LOCATION: PART 2
Part 1 covered the importance of location and visualization as a key. Part 2 will cover concentration and location aids. CONCENTRATION Concentration involves mastering the ability to hard focus or fine center your eyes on an extremely small object. Most coaches instruct their pitchers to concentrate on the catcher’s glove. I want ...
read morePITCHING STRATEGY PART TWO: THE FOUNDATION – THE HEDGEHOG CONCEPT
A couple of years ago I read a book by Jim Collins titled Good To Great. In his excellent book, Mr. Collins showed the findings of his research team that contrasted companies that went from good to great and stayed there over a fifteen year period with good companies that ...
read morePitch Counts Like Leo Mazzone, I’ve got Eyes and I Have Seen Enough
I can remember it like it was yesterday. I was playing right field the day after I had pitched a complete game win for the DeVilbiss Tigers High School baseball team in Toledo, Ohio. I can still feel my arm aching and I was hoping no ball would be hit ...
read moreMike Scioscia: Managing For a Winning Formula
A year ago, the Anaheim Angels were playing great baseball, and their style of play took them to the World Series championship. Manager Mike Scioscia deserves much of the credit for the excitement the team brought to the Anaheim area. This year Mike isn't getting as much attention as last because ...
read moreMaddux’s 16 Will Be a Sweet Feat
Greg Maddux is one win away from becoming the first pitcher ever to win 15 or more games in each of 16 consecutive seasons. He and Cy Young are currently the only pitchers to have won 15 or more games in each of 15 consecutive seasons. Maddux won his 14th ...
read moreTop Closers Make The Difference
It is no coincidence that currently six of the seven top saves leaders are on teams that are in first place. The seventh, Eric Gagne, just saved his 51st game out of 51 save opportunities to move the Dodgers to just 2 1/2 games back in the National League Wild ...
read moreTerry Ryan Shows How Good Management Makes a Winner
It's time to do away with the notion that teams need to have a lot of money to produce a winner in Major League Baseball. Last year, the American League West teams finished in inverse proportion of their payrolls, and the Anaheim Angels, after finishing second in the AL West, ...
read moreMota Always Helping Needy
It was great to get to see Manny Mota this year when the Dodgers came to Detroit to play the Tigers. I hadn't seen Manny for years and I was dying to ask him a question. We played together on the Dodgers in 1973, 1974,and 1975. Manny was already an ...
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