Alex Rios is the Jays most talented position player. He has phenomenal
running speed and an outstanding throwing arm.

Also he can hit as he currently leads the team in hits, total bases, rbis
and doubles.

However, Rios could be an even better hitter if he discarded the crouched
batting stance that he has been using now for two years.
Ricky Henderson and Pete Rose along with a few other major league players
have hit from a crouch, but they were mainly singles and doubles hitters and
probably used the crouch to shrink the strike zone and draw more walks.

But great power hitters like Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Ken Griffey Jr. and
Barry Bonds etc. stood upright. By doing this they would get the maximum
power from their legs and body during the weight transfer from the back foot
to the front foot. They would also get good torque power from their waist.
However, when Rios swings he is using mainly his arms. This explains why he
has only six home runs in over 100 games.

The golfer's swing in teeing off is much like a baseball player's swing.
When I was given some golfing lessons many years ago, the professional
instructor stated that
it was important to stand upright with your back leg rigid and with knee
locked. I was playing city league baseball about the time and I noticed that
my hitting power improved immensely after using this upright stance when
teeing off in golf. Keeping one's back leg rigid while slightly raising the
front leg assures that
there is a good weight transfer during the swing and bat speed is increased.

If you look a Rios' swing you see that he bends his back leg thus giving him
almost no power from his legs. It shows how powerful and talented he is when
he still can often hit the ball hard. But many of his fly balls make it only
to the warning track, if they go that far. He also fouls many pitches off to
right field
indicating that his bat speed is not as fast as it should be.

Give up the crouch, Alex. It is hurting your performance.

"Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
news:Remik.273718$Tj3.9986@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
> Alex Rios is the Jays most talented position player. He has phenomenal
> running speed and an outstanding throwing arm.
>
> Also he can hit as he currently leads the team in hits, total bases, rbis
> and doubles.
>
> However, Rios could be an even better hitter if he discarded the crouched
> batting stance that he has been using now for two years.



nuh uh. If a player is successful, you don't futz with him. I remember when
Charlie Lau tried to ""correct"" Steve Kemp's stance.

"Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:MNqdnc1EtcGpDxfVnZ2dnUVZ_rDinZ2d@comcast.com...
>
> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
> news:Remik.273718$Tj3.9986@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>> Alex Rios is the Jays most talented position player. He has phenomenal
>> running speed and an outstanding throwing arm.
>>
>> Also he can hit as he currently leads the team in hits, total bases, rbis
>> and doubles.
>>
>> However, Rios could be an even better hitter if he discarded the
>> crouched batting stance that he has been using now for two years.
>
>
>
> nuh uh. If a player is successful, you don't futz with him. I remember
> when Charlie Lau tried to ""correct"" Steve Kemp's stance.

Batting coaches are always messing with players swings. That's their job. In
fact it was the Jay's batting coach in 2006 that put Rios into the crouch.
This was after Rios' staph infection when he could not get it going after a
good rookie season in 2007. When he first came up and played regularly
he stood upright but almost all his home runs were long fly balls to his
opposite right field. His bat speed was somewhat slow and he was not pulling
the ball. But he did have power. Now all his fly balls to right field fall
well short of the stands, even short of the warning track, because he is not
getting his legs and body torque into his swing.

Former Jays' slugger Jesse Barfield noticed this in one broadcast he did on
CBC. Other broadcasters for opposing teams on games on MLB Exrta innings
have said the same thing. Almost all six of Rios' home runs this year have
been line drives hit to left field with the power coming from is arms and
shoulders.He is not transerfering his weight from his back to his front
foot. I cannot understand why Cito, a former batting coach, and the present
Jay batting coach, Gene Tenance have not gotten Rios to straighten up in his
stance. Last night Rios went hitless in five at bats, hitting the ball hard
only once.





>
>
>
>
>
>
>

proteus wrote>
Former Jays' slugger Jesse Barfield noticed this in one broadcast he did
on CBC. Other broadcasters for opposing teams on games on MLB Exrta
innings have said the same thing. Almost all six of Rios' home runs this
year have been line drives hit to left field with the power coming from
is arms and shoulders.He is not transerfering his weight from his back
to his front foot. I cannot understand why Cito, a former batting coach,
and the present Jay batting coach, Gene Tenance have not gotten Rios to
straighten up in his stance. Last night Rios went hitless in five at
bats, hitting the ball hard only once,

reply>
Well perhaps you can ask jessie why he
was able to hit two out,and go 4 for 5 the other
night.And perhaps you should ask jessie why
the jays traded him away in the first place.

All mlb ball players go into a funk,and sometimes it last's a long time,

While I'll agree with you alex
has been less then sterling at the plate this season I'll wager both
cito and gene have forgotten more about the game then you or I will ever
know.

For one thing i think alex was trying to hard
to shoulder the whole team with all the injuries
to wells etc,but he has looked much more
comfortable at the plate in recent games.

With guys like inglet and lind producing and
overbay finally finding his stride again to.

A lot of ml players fold under pressure,when
the game is on the line and they are the ones
who are expected to deliver in the clutch every
time.Especially after getting signed long term
for major long green.

Look at guys like sexson for the m's who
went into a melt down and is now history.

Truly great hitters learn to cope and adjust
others fall by the wayside,personally i think
alex will rise to the occasion more and more
in time to come.It's also tough when you
don't have a big bopper either behind or
ahead of you in the line up.Pitchers will
nibble away when they know they don't
have to face another slugger with less
than two outs.Alex regardless of his stance
or anything else is a pure natural at the game
and you can bet dollars to doughnuts if he was
up for a trade,every ml team would be drooling.


Just watch the games and enjoy the recent
success,it kills me when you post after listening
to guys like jessie and rance etc analyses of the game to death,night
after night,you see any of
these guys in the hof or as managers gee I
wonder why.

In alt.sports.baseball.tor-bluejays Proteus <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote:

> Former Jays' slugger Jesse Barfield noticed this in one broadcast he did on
> CBC. Other broadcasters for opposing teams on games on MLB Exrta innings
> have said the same thing. Almost all six of Rios' home runs this year have
> been line drives hit to left field with the power coming from is arms and
> shoulders.He is not transerfering his weight from his back to his front
> foot. I cannot understand why Cito, a former batting coach, and the present
> Jay batting coach, Gene Tenance have not gotten Rios to straighten up in his
> stance. Last night Rios went hitless in five at bats, hitting the ball hard
> only once.

Barfield was a power-hitter with a poor average and a poor OBP. It
was his arm that kept him in the game as long as he did.

Rios is not a power hitter. He should not be pulling every pitch.
He has problems, true. But trying to hit the Jesse Barfield way
isn't going to solve those problems.

cordially, as always,

rm

"Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
news:mGFik.286909$Tj3.99741@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>
> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:MNqdnc1EtcGpDxfVnZ2dnUVZ_rDinZ2d@comcast.com...
>>
>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>> news:Remik.273718$Tj3.9986@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>>> Alex Rios is the Jays most talented position player. He has phenomenal
>>> running speed and an outstanding throwing arm.
>>>
>>> Also he can hit as he currently leads the team in hits, total bases,
>>> rbis and doubles.
>>>
>>> However, Rios could be an even better hitter if he discarded the
>>> crouched batting stance that he has been using now for two years.
>>
>>
>>
>> nuh uh. If a player is successful, you don't futz with him. I remember
>> when Charlie Lau tried to ""correct"" Steve Kemp's stance.
>
> Batting coaches are always messing with players swings. That's their job.


It's also part of their job to know when NOT to mess with a guy's stance.

<rm@big.justlinux.ca> wrote in message
news:1d788$488ce563$cf7047eb$25981@PRIMUS.CA...
> In alt.sports.baseball.tor-bluejays Proteus <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote:
>
>> Former Jays' slugger Jesse Barfield noticed this in one broadcast he did
>> on
>> CBC. Other broadcasters for opposing teams on games on MLB Exrta innings
>> have said the same thing. Almost all six of Rios' home runs this year
>> have
>> been line drives hit to left field with the power coming from is arms and
>> shoulders.He is not transerfering his weight from his back to his front
>> foot. I cannot understand why Cito, a former batting coach, and the
>> present
>> Jay batting coach, Gene Tenance have not gotten Rios to straighten up in
>> his
>> stance. Last night Rios went hitless in five at bats, hitting the ball
>> hard
>> only once.
>
> Barfield was a power-hitter with a poor average and a poor OBP. It
> was his arm that kept him in the game as long as he did.
>
> Rios is not a power hitter. He should not be pulling every pitch.
> He has problems, true. But trying to hit the Jesse Barfield way
> isn't going to solve those problems.



holy crap!!! That's the second time this season I'm entirely in agreement
with you!





>
> cordially, as always,
>
> rm

<rm@big.justlinux.ca> wrote in message
news:1d788$488ce563$cf7047eb$25981@PRIMUS.CA...
> In alt.sports.baseball.tor-bluejays Proteus <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote:
>
>> Former Jays' slugger Jesse Barfield noticed this in one broadcast he did
>> on
>> CBC. Other broadcasters for opposing teams on games on MLB Exrta innings
>> have said the same thing. Almost all six of Rios' home runs this year
>> have
>> been line drives hit to left field with the power coming from is arms and
>> shoulders.He is not transerfering his weight from his back to his front
>> foot. I cannot understand why Cito, a former batting coach, and the
>> present
>> Jay batting coach, Gene Tenance have not gotten Rios to straighten up in
>> his
>> stance. Last night Rios went hitless in five at bats, hitting the ball
>> hard
>> only once.
>
> Barfield was a power-hitter with a poor average and a poor OBP. It
> was his arm that kept him in the game as long as he did.

Other former MLB TV commentators have said the same thing as barfield.

>
> Rios is not a power hitter. He should not be pulling every pitch.
> He has problems, true. But trying to hit the Jesse Barfield way
> isn't going to solve those problems.

He certainly has the build and athleticism to be a power hitter. In his
present crouch stance of course he cannot be a pull hitter.
Watch his at- bats. He most often swings late sending fouls to the right
side. Then when he hits the ball fair it is a lazy fly ball to right field.
In his first year in Toronto almost all his home runs were to right field.
But now from his crouch these flies rarely even reach the warning track.
He is not getting his legs and body into his swing as he uses his arms only.
He should take some lessons from Tiger Woods to learn how to hit
with power.

I don't think Rios is stupid. He must know the crouch is not working so he
should give it up. Former pitcher Jim Palmer, now doing Baltimore games
on TV recently said that Aubrey Huff is hitting much better after being
shown that his batting crouch was hurting his swing.

Compare Huff's batting stats for his last two years in Balitimore with what
he did in Tampa Bay in 2006.

http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/individual_stats_player.jsp?c_id=bal&playerID=333492



>
> cordially, as always,
>
> rm

"Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:8uqdnUYe-7EFzhDVnZ2dnUVZ_qDinZ2d@comcast.com...
>
> <rm@big.justlinux.ca> wrote in message
> news:1d788$488ce563$cf7047eb$25981@PRIMUS.CA...
>> In alt.sports.baseball.tor-bluejays Proteus <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Former Jays' slugger Jesse Barfield noticed this in one broadcast he
>>> did on
>>> CBC. Other broadcasters for opposing teams on games on MLB Exrta innings
>>> have said the same thing. Almost all six of Rios' home runs this year
>>> have
>>> been line drives hit to left field with the power coming from is arms
>>> and
>>> shoulders.He is not transerfering his weight from his back to his front
>>> foot. I cannot understand why Cito, a former batting coach, and the
>>> present
>>> Jay batting coach, Gene Tenance have not gotten Rios to straighten up in
>>> his
>>> stance. Last night Rios went hitless in five at bats, hitting the ball
>>> hard
>>> only once.
>>
>> Barfield was a power-hitter with a poor average and a poor OBP. It
>> was his arm that kept him in the game as long as he did.

Barfield did hit 40 homers one year. That would have to look pretty good to
the 2008 Jays who have only one player in double digits (11) and do not have
anyone
with 50 ribis yet.

>> Rios is not a power hitter. He should not be pulling every pitch.
>> He has problems, true. But trying to hit the Jesse Barfield way
>> isn't going to solve those problems.
>
>
>
> holy crap!!! That's the second time this season I'm entirely in agreement
> with you!
>
>
>
>
>
>>
>> cordially, as always,
>>
>> rm
>
>

"Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:qvidnUNsGZfBzhDVnZ2dnUVZ_qHinZ2d@comcast.com...
>
> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
> news:mGFik.286909$Tj3.99741@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>>
>> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:MNqdnc1EtcGpDxfVnZ2dnUVZ_rDinZ2d@comcast.com...
>>>
>>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>>> news:Remik.273718$Tj3.9986@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>>>> Alex Rios is the Jays most talented position player. He has phenomenal
>>>> running speed and an outstanding throwing arm.
>>>>
>>>> Also he can hit as he currently leads the team in hits, total bases,
>>>> rbis and doubles.
>>>>
>>>> However, Rios could be an even better hitter if he discarded the
>>>> crouched batting stance that he has been using now for two years.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> nuh uh. If a player is successful, you don't futz with him. I remember
>>> when Charlie Lau tried to ""correct"" Steve Kemp's stance.
>>
>> Batting coaches are always messing with players swings. That's their job.
>
>
> It's also part of their job to know when NOT to mess with a guy's stance.
>

But it was the Jays' batting coach in early 2007 who put Rios in the batting
crouch.

In my youth I played high- school baseball and city league. I would never
have batted from a crouch like Rios does. His stance also looks
ridiculous--like he is sitting on a toilet.

"Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
news:3DElk.296422$fB7.159725@en-nntp-06.dc1.easynews.com...
>
> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:qvidnUNsGZfBzhDVnZ2dnUVZ_qHinZ2d@comcast.com...
>>
>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>> news:mGFik.286909$Tj3.99741@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>>>
>>> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:MNqdnc1EtcGpDxfVnZ2dnUVZ_rDinZ2d@comcast.com...
>>>>
>>>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:Remik.273718$Tj3.9986@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>>>>> Alex Rios is the Jays most talented position player. He has phenomenal
>>>>> running speed and an outstanding throwing arm.
>>>>>
>>>>> Also he can hit as he currently leads the team in hits, total bases,
>>>>> rbis and doubles.
>>>>>
>>>>> However, Rios could be an even better hitter if he discarded the
>>>>> crouched batting stance that he has been using now for two years.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> nuh uh. If a player is successful, you don't futz with him. I remember
>>>> when Charlie Lau tried to ""correct"" Steve Kemp's stance.
>>>
>>> Batting coaches are always messing with players swings. That's their
>>> job.
>>
>>
>> It's also part of their job to know when NOT to mess with a guy's stance.
>>
>
> But it was the Jays' batting coach in early 2007 who put Rios in the
> batting crouch.



Proves my point then, doesn't it?







>
> In my youth I played high- school baseball and city league. I would never
> have batted from a crouch like Rios does. His stance also looks
> ridiculous--like he is sitting on a toilet.
>
>
>
>

"Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:8uqdnUYe-7EFzhDVnZ2dnUVZ_qDinZ2d@comcast.com...
>
> <rm@big.justlinux.ca> wrote in message
> news:1d788$488ce563$cf7047eb$25981@PRIMUS.CA...
>> In alt.sports.baseball.tor-bluejays Proteus <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Former Jays' slugger Jesse Barfield noticed this in one broadcast he
>>> did on
>>> CBC. Other broadcasters for opposing teams on games on MLB Exrta innings
>>> have said the same thing. Almost all six of Rios' home runs this year
>>> have
>>> been line drives hit to left field with the power coming from is arms
>>> and
>>> shoulders.He is not transerfering his weight from his back to his front
>>> foot. I cannot understand why Cito, a former batting coach, and the
>>> present
>>> Jay batting coach, Gene Tenance have not gotten Rios to straighten up in
>>> his
>>> stance. Last night Rios went hitless in five at bats, hitting the ball
>>> hard
>>> only once.
>>
>> Barfield was a power-hitter with a poor average and a poor OBP. It
>> was his arm that kept him in the game as long as he did.
>>
>> Rios is not a power hitter. He should not be pulling every pitch.
>> He has problems, true. But trying to hit the Jesse Barfield way
>> isn't going to solve those problems.

Rios has tremendous potential power. Many TV baseball commentators have
talked
about the impressive display he puts on during batting practice.

Also at this year's All Star home run hitting derby he was one of the two
finalists.
He put on a great display in the semi-finals.

But his crouch position doesn't work for him during game time when he is not
confronted by only batting-practice fastballs.


>
>
>
> holy crap!!! That's the second time this season I'm entirely in agreement
> with you!
>
>
>
>
>
>>
>> cordially, as always,
>>
>> rm
>
>

"Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:pbudneTZ85ns2ArVnZ2dnUVZ_uadnZ2d@comcast.com...
>
> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
> news:3DElk.296422$fB7.159725@en-nntp-06.dc1.easynews.com...
>>
>> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:qvidnUNsGZfBzhDVnZ2dnUVZ_qHinZ2d@comcast.com...
>>>
>>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>>> news:mGFik.286909$Tj3.99741@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>>>>
>>>> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:MNqdnc1EtcGpDxfVnZ2dnUVZ_rDinZ2d@comcast.com...
>>>>>
>>>>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:Remik.273718$Tj3.9986@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>>>>>> Alex Rios is the Jays most talented position player. He has
>>>>>> phenomenal running speed and an outstanding throwing arm.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Also he can hit as he currently leads the team in hits, total bases,
>>>>>> rbis and doubles.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> However, Rios could be an even better hitter if he discarded the
>>>>>> crouched batting stance that he has been using now for two years.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> nuh uh. If a player is successful, you don't futz with him. I remember
>>>>> when Charlie Lau tried to ""correct"" Steve Kemp's stance.
>>>>
>>>> Batting coaches are always messing with players swings. That's their
>>>> job.
>>>
>>>
>>> It's also part of their job to know when NOT to mess with a guy's
>>> stance.
>>>
>>
>> But it was the Jays' batting coach in early 2007 who put Rios in the
>> batting crouch.
>
>
>
> Proves my point then, doesn't it?

Well, only partly. No one should mess with a batter's swing when he is doing
well or even when he is in a short slump. But Rios' problem has continued
now for
almost an entire season. My advice if I were his batting coach is that Rios
study and try to emulate the swing of Ted Williams by watching old films or
old videos of
Ken Griffey Jr. in his prime.

Changing the subject. I have a question for you or any other baseball buff
in this newsgroup. Why is it that in the era of steroids with record
breaking home-run
performances no ML hitter has ever come close to Hack Wilson's 191 rbi
season many decades ago in 1930? Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth and Hank Greenberg
were all in the 180s or 170s range. No modern slugger has ever come close to
any them in rbis also.

RBIs should be a more important achiement than homers as it is runs- batted-
in that win ball games and indicate good clutch hitting.





>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>>
>> In my youth I played high- school baseball and city league. I would never
>> have batted from a crouch like Rios does. His stance also looks
>> ridiculous--like he is sitting on a toilet.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>

"Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
news:VNIlk.308057$Tj3.172424@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>
> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:8uqdnUYe-7EFzhDVnZ2dnUVZ_qDinZ2d@comcast.com...
>>
>> <rm@big.justlinux.ca> wrote in message
>> news:1d788$488ce563$cf7047eb$25981@PRIMUS.CA...
>>> In alt.sports.baseball.tor-bluejays Proteus <proteus@ambiance.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Former Jays' slugger Jesse Barfield noticed this in one broadcast he
>>>> did on
>>>> CBC. Other broadcasters for opposing teams on games on MLB Exrta
>>>> innings
>>>> have said the same thing. Almost all six of Rios' home runs this year
>>>> have
>>>> been line drives hit to left field with the power coming from is arms
>>>> and
>>>> shoulders.He is not transerfering his weight from his back to his front
>>>> foot. I cannot understand why Cito, a former batting coach, and the
>>>> present
>>>> Jay batting coach, Gene Tenance have not gotten Rios to straighten up
>>>> in his
>>>> stance. Last night Rios went hitless in five at bats, hitting the ball
>>>> hard
>>>> only once.
>>>
>>> Barfield was a power-hitter with a poor average and a poor OBP. It
>>> was his arm that kept him in the game as long as he did.
>>>
>>> Rios is not a power hitter. He should not be pulling every pitch.
>>> He has problems, true. But trying to hit the Jesse Barfield way
>>> isn't going to solve those problems.
>
> Rios has tremendous potential power. Many TV baseball commentators have
> talked
> about the impressive display he puts on during batting practice.
>
> Also at this year's All Star home run hitting derby he was one of the two
> finalists.
> He put on a great display in the semi-finals.
>
> But his crouch position doesn't work for him during game time when he is
> not confronted by only batting-practice fastballs.
>


please be more careful with your attributions. Several times now, you have
made it appear that I said things that, in fact, someone else posted.






>
>>
>>
>>
>> holy crap!!! That's the second time this season I'm entirely in agreement
>> with you!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>
>>> cordially, as always,
>>>
>>> rm
>>
>>
>

"Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
news:XbJlk.304443$6i4.43602@en-nntp-03.dc1.easynews.com...
>
> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:pbudneTZ85ns2ArVnZ2dnUVZ_uadnZ2d@comcast.com...
>>
>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>> news:3DElk.296422$fB7.159725@en-nntp-06.dc1.easynews.com...
>>>
>>> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:qvidnUNsGZfBzhDVnZ2dnUVZ_qHinZ2d@comcast.com...
>>>>
>>>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:mGFik.286909$Tj3.99741@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>>>>>
>>>>> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:MNqdnc1EtcGpDxfVnZ2dnUVZ_rDinZ2d@comcast.com...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:Remik.273718$Tj3.9986@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>>>>>>> Alex Rios is the Jays most talented position player. He has
>>>>>>> phenomenal running speed and an outstanding throwing arm.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Also he can hit as he currently leads the team in hits, total bases,
>>>>>>> rbis and doubles.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> However, Rios could be an even better hitter if he discarded the
>>>>>>> crouched batting stance that he has been using now for two years.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> nuh uh. If a player is successful, you don't futz with him. I
>>>>>> remember when Charlie Lau tried to ""correct"" Steve Kemp's stance.
>>>>>
>>>>> Batting coaches are always messing with players swings. That's their
>>>>> job.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> It's also part of their job to know when NOT to mess with a guy's
>>>> stance.
>>>>
>>>
>>> But it was the Jays' batting coach in early 2007 who put Rios in the
>>> batting crouch.
>>
>>
>>
>> Proves my point then, doesn't it?
>
> Well, only partly. No one should mess with a batter's swing when he is
> doing well or even when he is in a short slump. But Rios' problem has
> continued now for
> almost an entire season.



BUT, you yourself said the slump is the result of a coach messing with his
stance.




My advice if I were his batting coach is that Rios
> study and try to emulate the swing of Ted Williams by watching old films
> or old videos of
> Ken Griffey Jr. in his prime.
>
> Changing the subject. I have a question for you or any other baseball buff
> in this newsgroup. Why is it that in the era of steroids with record
> breaking home-run
> performances no ML hitter has ever come close to Hack Wilson's 191 rbi
> season many decades ago in 1930?


RBI are situational.
My question is, why do we so casually overlook the 'runs scored' category?
That is,. after all, the object of the game.

In alt.sports.baseball.tor-bluejays Proteus <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote:

> In his first year in Toronto almost all his home runs were to
> right field. side. Then when he hits the ball fair it is a lazy
> fly ball to right field.

During his first year in Toronto, he hit exactly one home run in
over 400 atbats. How many of those 1 home runs went to RF, we don't
know...

> But now from his crouch these flies rarely even reach the warning
> track. He is not getting his legs and body into his swing as he
> uses his arms only. He should take some lessons from Tiger Woods
> to learn how to hit with power.

Over the past two seasons, he averaged 20 homeruns a season, but he
had way too many strikeouts.

> I don't think Rios is stupid.

??? Have you ever heard him interviewed?

> He must know the crouch is not working so he should give it up.

He should listen to his batting coach, at this point in his career.

> Former pitcher Jim Palmer, now doing Baltimore games on TV
> recently said that Aubrey Huff is hitting much better after being
> shown that his batting crouch was hurting his swing.

And was he told this by Jim Palmer? Or Jesse Barfield?

> Compare Huff's batting stats for his last two years in Balitimore
> with what he did in Tampa Bay in 2006.
>
> http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/individual_stats_player.jsp?c_id=bal&playerID=333492

The issue is Rios. Perhaps you should be looking at his stats.

cordially, as always,

rm

In alt.sports.baseball.tor-bluejays Proteus <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote:

> In my youth I played high- school baseball and city league. I would never
> have batted from a crouch like Rios does. His stance also looks
> ridiculous--like he is sitting on a toilet.

Yep. Rickey Henderson had a ridiculous batting stance as well.
It's too bad that you and Jesse Barfield weren't around to
straighten him out. Rickey might have turned out to be a
half-decent player.

cordially, as always,

rm
>
>
>
>

On Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:24:37 -0400, "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com>
wrote:

>Alex Rios is the Jays most talented position player. He has phenomenal
>running speed and an outstanding throwing arm.

And what are the political implications of this?

"Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ot6dnXUCU8CG7grVnZ2dnUVZ_v_inZ2d@comcast.com...
>
> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
> news:XbJlk.304443$6i4.43602@en-nntp-03.dc1.easynews.com...
>>
>> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:pbudneTZ85ns2ArVnZ2dnUVZ_uadnZ2d@comcast.com...
>>>
>>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>>> news:3DElk.296422$fB7.159725@en-nntp-06.dc1.easynews.com...
>>>>
>>>> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:qvidnUNsGZfBzhDVnZ2dnUVZ_qHinZ2d@comcast.com...
>>>>>
>>>>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:mGFik.286909$Tj3.99741@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:MNqdnc1EtcGpDxfVnZ2dnUVZ_rDinZ2d@comcast.com...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>>>>>>> news:Remik.273718$Tj3.9986@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>>>>>>>> Alex Rios is the Jays most talented position player. He has
>>>>>>>> phenomenal running speed and an outstanding throwing arm.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Also he can hit as he currently leads the team in hits, total
>>>>>>>> bases, rbis and doubles.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> However, Rios could be an even better hitter if he discarded the
>>>>>>>> crouched batting stance that he has been using now for two years.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> nuh uh. If a player is successful, you don't futz with him. I
>>>>>>> remember when Charlie Lau tried to ""correct"" Steve Kemp's stance.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Batting coaches are always messing with players swings. That's their
>>>>>> job.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> It's also part of their job to know when NOT to mess with a guy's
>>>>> stance.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> But it was the Jays' batting coach in early 2007 who put Rios in the
>>>> batting crouch.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Proves my point then, doesn't it?
>>
>> Well, only partly. No one should mess with a batter's swing when he is
>> doing well or even when he is in a short slump. But Rios' problem has
>> continued now for
>> almost an entire season.
>
>
>
> BUT, you yourself said the slump is the result of a coach messing with his
> stance.
>
>
>
>
> My advice if I were his batting coach is that Rios
>> study and try to emulate the swing of Ted Williams by watching old films
>> or old videos of
>> Ken Griffey Jr. in his prime.
>>
>> Changing the subject. I have a question for you or any other baseball
>> buff in this newsgroup. Why is it that in the era of steroids with
>> record breaking home-run
>> performances no ML hitter has ever come close to Hack Wilson's 191 rbi
>> season many decades ago in 1930?
>
>
> RBI are situational.

RBIs are indicative of clutch hitting. I am pretty certain that more recent
home run kings like Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, Hank Aaron,
Ken Griffey Jr. Sammy Sosa etc. during their best years left scores of
runners stranded. They had the opportunity to approach the the rbi stats of
Hack Wilson, Babe Ruth, Jimmy Foxx, Lou Gehrig and Hank Green, who all hit
over 170 in a year, but failed.

Incidently this years pathetic Toronto Blue Jays do not have ONE player with
50 rbis as of today. Rios has 49 and he has left a ton of batters stranded
as has
Vernon Wells when he was playing and not on the DL.

Getting back to the importance of speed for a baseball player did, you see
Rios in last night's game with Oakland score from first on a double? He just
flew around the bases. That was the most exciting play of the game.

However, one of the most memorable feats in MLB history was the 1946 World
Series between Boston and St. Louis, won by St. Louis when Enos "Country"
slaughter scored from first base on a single. This highlight was captured on
film an was recently shown on T.V.








> My question is, why do we so casually overlook the 'runs scored' category?
> That is,. after all, the object of the game.
>
>
>
>
>
>

"Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
news:H4kmk.13$6p1.1@en-nntp-07.dc1.easynews.com...
>
> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:ot6dnXUCU8CG7grVnZ2dnUVZ_v_inZ2d@comcast.com...
>>
>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>> news:XbJlk.304443$6i4.43602@en-nntp-03.dc1.easynews.com...
>>>
>>> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:pbudneTZ85ns2ArVnZ2dnUVZ_uadnZ2d@comcast.com...
>>>>
>>>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:3DElk.296422$fB7.159725@en-nntp-06.dc1.easynews.com...
>>>>>
>>>>> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:qvidnUNsGZfBzhDVnZ2dnUVZ_qHinZ2d@comcast.com...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:mGFik.286909$Tj3.99741@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "Bill Kawalec" <billkawalec@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>>>>>> news:MNqdnc1EtcGpDxfVnZ2dnUVZ_rDinZ2d@comcast.com...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
>>>>>>>> news:Remik.273718$Tj3.9986@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
>>>>>>>>> Alex Rios is the Jays most talented position player. He has
>>>>>>>>> phenomenal running speed and an outstanding throwing arm.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Also he can hit as he currently leads the team in hits, total
>>>>>>>>> bases, rbis and doubles.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> However, Rios could be an even better hitter if he discarded the
>>>>>>>>> crouched batting stance that he has been using now for two years.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> nuh uh. If a player is successful, you don't futz with him. I
>>>>>>>> remember when Charlie Lau tried to ""correct"" Steve Kemp's stance.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Batting coaches are always messing with players swings. That's their
>>>>>>> job.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It's also part of their job to know when NOT to mess with a guy's
>>>>>> stance.
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> But it was the Jays' batting coach in early 2007 who put Rios in the
>>>>> batting crouch.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Proves my point then, doesn't it?
>>>
>>> Well, only partly. No one should mess with a batter's swing when he is
>>> doing well or even when he is in a short slump. But Rios' problem has
>>> continued now for
>>> almost an entire season.
>>
>>
>>
>> BUT, you yourself said the slump is the result of a coach messing with
>> his stance.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> My advice if I were his batting coach is that Rios
>>> study and try to emulate the swing of Ted Williams by watching old films
>>> or old videos of
>>> Ken Griffey Jr. in his prime.
>>>
>>> Changing the subject. I have a question for you or any other baseball
>>> buff in this newsgroup. Why is it that in the era of steroids with
>>> record breaking home-run
>>> performances no ML hitter has ever come close to Hack Wilson's 191 rbi
>>> season many decades ago in 1930?
>>
>>
>> RBI are situational.
>
> RBIs are indicative of clutch hitting.



Also indicative of batters ahead of you getting on base, thus situational.
BTW, your emphasis on speed should lead you to conclude that the run scored
is more significant than the run batted in.





I am pretty certain that more recent
> home run kings like Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, Hank Aaron,
> Ken Griffey Jr. Sammy Sosa etc. during their best years left scores of
> runners stranded. They had the opportunity to approach the the rbi stats
> of
> Hack Wilson, Babe Ruth, Jimmy Foxx, Lou Gehrig and Hank Green, who all hit
> over 170 in a year, but failed.
>
> Incidently this years pathetic Toronto Blue Jays do not have ONE player
> with 50 rbis as of today. Rios has 49 and he has left a ton of batters
> stranded as has
> Vernon Wells when he was playing and not on the DL.
>
> Getting back to the importance of speed for a baseball player did, you see
> Rios in last night's game with Oakland score from first on a double? He
> just flew around the bases. That was the most exciting play of the game.
>
> However, one of the most memorable feats in MLB history was the 1946 World
> Series between Boston and St. Louis, won by St. Louis when Enos "Country"
> slaughter scored from first base on a single. This highlight was captured
> on film an was recently shown on T.V.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> My question is, why do we so casually overlook the 'runs scored'
>> category? That is,. after all, the object of the game.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>

<rm@big.justlinux.ca> wrote in message
news:a57a1$48984c0e$cf7049f7$25353@PRIMUS.CA...
> In alt.sports.baseball.tor-bluejays Proteus <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote:
>
>> In my youth I played high- school baseball and city league. I would never
>> have batted from a crouch like Rios does. His stance also looks
>> ridiculous--like he is sitting on a toilet.
>
> Yep. Rickey Henderson had a ridiculous batting stance as well.
> It's too bad that you and Jesse Barfield weren't around to
> straighten him out. Rickey might have turned out to be a
> half-decent player.

Rickey was a mainly a singles and doubles hitter. He crouched in order to
shrink his strike zone for the umpires. He wanted to get on base with a walk
if he could and then steal second base. As I recall there were a couple of
pretty good crouch hitters on the
Astros who also hit well, but not with much power. The crouch worked for
them but it is not working for Rios. He is not getting around on most balls.

Look at golfers. They do often crouch in making chip or short approach
shots. But when they tee off they stand upright with their back leg
straight. That forces them to shift their weight to their forward foot
during their swing, thus powering their swing with their legs and torso.
They ae not driving the ball just with their wrists, arms and shoulders but
with their entire bodies. And what is true for hitters is also true for
pitchers. They throw with their arm but in order to produce power
they must use their legss and body properly.


>
> cordially, as always,
>
> rm
>>
>>
>>
>>

In alt.sports.baseball.tor-bluejays Proteus <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote:

> Rickey was a mainly a singles and doubles hitter. He crouched in
> order to shrink his strike zone for the umpires. He wanted to get
> on base with a walk if he could and then steal second base. As I

Yes, unless of course, Rickey wanted to hit one of his 297 HRs.

> recall there were a couple of pretty good crouch hitters on the
> Astros who also hit well, but not with much power. The crouch
> worked for them but it is not working for Rios. He is not getting
> around on most balls.

The reason he isn't "getting around" is because Ricky Ricardo's
computer says that hitting to all fields is better than pulling the
ball. Cito's philosophy is that you do what got you to the big
leagues, and if that is pulling the ball, then you pull the ball.
When Alex realizes that he now has permission to pull the ball,
he'll pull the ball.

cordially, as always,

rm

<rm@big.justlinux.ca> wrote in message
news:16da8$489cc580$cf704724$16725@PRIMUS.CA...
> In alt.sports.baseball.tor-bluejays Proteus <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote:
>
>> Rickey was a mainly a singles and doubles hitter. He crouched in
>> order to shrink his strike zone for the umpires. He wanted to get
>> on base with a walk if he could and then steal second base. As I
>
> Yes, unless of course, Rickey wanted to hit one of his 297 HRs.

He averaged about 12.4 home runs annually over his 24 years in the majors.
That hardly qualifies Ricky to be a power hitter. Also he was only 5'10" in
height.
Obviously he didn't have to crouch very much.



>
>> recall there were a couple of pretty good crouch hitters on the
>> Astros who also hit well, but not with much power. The crouch
>> worked for them but it is not working for Rios. He is not getting
>> around on most balls.
>
> The reason he isn't "getting around" is because Ricky Ricardo's
> computer says that hitting to all fields is better than pulling the
> ball. Cito's philosophy is that you do what got you to the big
> leagues, and if that is pulling the ball, then you pull the ball.
> When Alex realizes that he now has permission to pull the ball,
> he'll pull the ball.

When Rios first came up to the Jays he was hitting a lot to right field not
on purpose but because he was swinging late as he still often does. But Rios
was getting homers to right. Now the balls he hits to right field never go
out. The few homers he has hit recently are to LF, occasionally to CF.

I recently watched an Orioles' game on Rogers' Extra Innings and the
analyst/commentator, former all-star pitcher Jim Palmer said that after
coming
to Baltimore from the Rays, Aubrey Huff was now hitting much better after
the batting coach got him to straighten up in his batting stance.

Other major league commentators have been critical of Rio's crouching. He
does not look comfortable in the batting box.


cordially, as always,
>
> rm

"Proteus" <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote in message
news:FdXpk.15800$C65.2311@en-nntp-01.dc1.easynews.com...
>
> <rm@big.justlinux.ca> wrote in message
> news:16da8$489cc580$cf704724$16725@PRIMUS.CA...
>> In alt.sports.baseball.tor-bluejays Proteus <proteus@ambiance.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Rickey was a mainly a singles and doubles hitter. He crouched in
>>> order to shrink his strike zone for the umpires. He wanted to get
>>> on base with a walk if he could and then steal second base. As I
>>
>> Yes, unless of course, Rickey wanted to hit one of his 297 HRs.
>
> He averaged about 12.4 home runs annually over his 24 years in the majors.
> That hardly qualifies Ricky to be a power hitter. Also he was only 5'10"
> in height.
> Obviously he didn't have to crouch very much.
>


But he DID crouch.




>
>
>>
>>> recall there were a couple of pretty good crouch hitters on the
>>> Astros who also hit well, but not with much power. The crouch
>>> worked for them but it is not working for Rios. He is not getting
>>> around on most balls.
>>
>> The reason he isn't "getting around" is because Ricky Ricardo's
>> computer says that hitting to all fields is better than pulling the
>> ball. Cito's philosophy is that you do what got you to the big
>> leagues, and if that is pulling the ball, then you pull the ball.
>> When Alex realizes that he now has permission to pull the ball,
>> he'll pull the ball.
>
> When Rios first came up to the Jays he was hitting a lot to right field
> not on purpose but because he was swinging late as he still often does.
> But Rios was getting homers to right. Now the balls he hits to right field
> never go out. The few homers he has hit recently are to LF, occasionally
> to CF.
>
> I recently watched an Orioles' game on Rogers' Extra Innings and the
> analyst/commentator, former all-star pitcher Jim Palmer said that after
> coming
> to Baltimore from the Rays, Aubrey Huff was now hitting much better after
> the batting coach got him to straighten up in his batting stance.
>
> Other major league commentators have been critical of Rio's crouching. He
> does not look comfortable in the batting box.
>
>
> cordially, as always,
>>
>> rm
>