“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”
–Albert Einstein
Tag Archives: Dave Empey
Whitey and Roger and history
I met Whitey Ford when he came to Vancouver with Roger “61” Maris and Don “Perfect Game” Larsen. They were here to promote an MLB spring exhibition game at B.C. Place, which is about as suited for baseball as a senior’s home is for Super Mario.
Five ways for a hitter to stride
This is really no stride. Start wide. Coil your knee a bit without your foot moving at all. So simple absolutely nothing can go wrong. Albert Pujols has crushed 662 jacks with this one and Juan Soto uses it with two strikes. When a hitter’s having trouble with his timing I’ll have him hit from load in pre-game BP. Often he’ll stay with it in the game because he’s back in the groove.
DON BAKER AND HIS LOVE AFFAIR WITH THAILAND
Donnie Baker played baseball in Jaycee Little League many moons ago. He was a talented left-hand pitcher, first baseman, outfielder, gifted enough to be an all-star at the age of 11.
THE TOUGHEST COMPETITOR EVER
“Don’t dig in against Bob Gibson. He’ll knock you down. He’d knock down his grandmother. Don’t stare at him, don’t smile at him, don’t talk to him. If you hit a home run, don’t run too slow, don’t run too fast. If you want to celebrate, get in the tunnel first. And if he hits you, don’t charge the mound, because he’s a Gold Glove boxer.”
–Hank Aaron
ARE BEAU AND KYLE ON TO SOMETHING?
Beau Payne is an enigma surrounded by a question mark searching for a profound answer. A few years ago he was held captive by his personal demons, bombarded with What If, and drenched in melancholy. To his immense credit he seems to be walking a very straight line these days.
HOW TO RUN A PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
I have a basic philosophy about coaching. If the kids play well, it’s all them. And, if they don’t play well, it’s all me. That is not false humility. It’s reality. If the players are not getting it done there are two reasons. **** I’m not teaching it right or I’m making it too complicated
HOW DUMB IS KNEE RAISE HITTING?
A few years ago a plethora of young hitters were conned into believing a knee raise gave you extra pop. They saw guys like Justin Turner and Josh “The Bringer of Drizzle” Donaldson knee raising like a pitcher so they figured it added exit velocity.
KILLER KEYS TO VELOCITY 4
Throw THROUGH the catcher…..Not TO the Catcher
The Jordan Hicks Recipe for blitzing 104
Hicks is the poster boy for rhythm and tempo. His delivery is as smooth and fluid as honey.
Dave Talks Baseball 