Hitting Secrets of the Pros : Big League Sluggers Reveal The Tricks of Their Trade

210 Pages·2004·1.34 MB·english

by  Wayne Stewart

HITTINGSECRETS
PROS
OF THE
Big-League Sluggers Reveal
the Tricks of Their Trade
WAYNE STEWART
Copyright © 2004 by Wayne Stewart. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America.
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DOI: 10.1036/0071442650
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To my wife, Nancy, and my sons, Sean and Scott
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Contents
Acknowledgments vii
Foreword ix
1
Hitters’ Styles 1
2
Hitters’ Techniques and Strategies 23
3
Preparations and Routines 39
4
Batting Practice 55
5
Behind the Scenes: Science,
Technology, and Enhancement 67
6
Adjustments 81
7
On Slumps and Streaks 95
8
Hitters’ Attitudes 105
v
vi Contents
9
Mannerisms, Stances, and Swings 121
10
Equipment: The Tools of Hitting 129
11
Hitting Coaches and Their Philosophies 143
12
Intangibles and Other Insights 161
Bibliography 187
Index 189
Acknowledgments
First and foremost, thanks to my editor, Mark Weinstein, who once
again came up with a great idea. This time it was for a series of books on
inside tips and information straight from the source—big-league players,
coaches, and managers. The two books thus far are on hitting secrets and
on pitching insights. Clearly, without him these books would never have
come to fruition.
Second, it was great talking baseball and working with Editorial Team
Leader Craig Bolt. It really helps to work with folks who know publishing
as well as baseball, and that’s been the case with Mark and now Craig.
Finally, a big thanks to the pros themselves, especially those who went
way beyond merely giving me a few quick answers to my queries: Ken Griffey
Sr. and Jr., Rudy Jaramillo, Ryan Klesko, Lee Smith, Trevor Hoffman, Merv
Rettenmund, Billy Wagner, Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Johnny Damon,
Scott Stewart, Jim Thome, Willie Upshaw, Eric Byrnes (and his father, Jim),
Terry Francona, Rickey Henderson, Luis Gonzalez, Kent Tekulve, Duane
Espy, Tom McCraw, Dr. Charles Maher of the Indians; along with the
media departments ofmany clubs, especially the Cleveland Indians, the San
Francisco Giants (particularly Bobby Evans), the Anaheim Angels, and the
Arizona Diamondbacks (with a special thanks to Susan Webner).
Also, thanks to Gray & Co. for giving me permission to use material
from Indians on the Game, a book that I did for them a few years back.
vii
Copyright © 2004 by Wayne Stewart. Click here for terms of use.
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