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Post by rizzuto on Feb 17, 2020 2:18:32 GMT -5
Bench was asked about the position and fundamentals. He said, “Easy. Catch every ball.” He wasn’t being flippant. He really meant it, as a mindset and goal. He also didn’t understand why all catchers don’t put their throwing hand behind their back to protect from foul tips.Gary really needs to learn this. Especially, since he’s got a rifle for a throwing arm. |
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Post by pippsheadache on Feb 17, 2020 15:43:14 GMT -5
Bench was asked about the position and fundamentals. He said, “Easy. Catch every ball.” He wasn’t being flippant. He really meant it, as a mindset and goal. He also didn’t understand why all catchers don’t put their throwing hand behind their back to protect from foul tips. Johnny Bench's skill set was breathtaking and was obvious from the start of his career. He was already an All Star at age 20. As outstanding of a hitter as he was, his defensive abilities were off the charts, especially his quick release. I remember when he first came up, people who had seen the likes of Bill Dickey and Mickey Cochrane in their primes -- and obviously Yogi and Campy and in one case even Roger Bresnahan -- were blown away by Bench's abilities behind the plate. I mean they had never seen anything like this guy. Now maybe later you could say Pudge Rodriguez was in that category, although he had a little medicinal help along the way. But Bench was almost revolutionary in the way he approached the position. I always thought it was interesting that Bench, Munson and Fisk were born within eight months of each other and in the same year of 1947. |
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Post by kaybli on Feb 18, 2020 10:40:50 GMT -5
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Post by chiyankee on Feb 18, 2020 10:50:23 GMT -5
Spring training is back! 1962 that is.
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Post by kaybli on Feb 18, 2020 10:52:12 GMT -5
Spring training is back! 1962 that is. Cool video!  |
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Post by chiyankee on Feb 18, 2020 10:58:38 GMT -5
Geez, what's going on with these pro athletes that they get hurt so soon into spring training? They are supposed to have the best trainers available to them and it still doesn't matter. |
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Post by Renfield on Feb 18, 2020 11:49:13 GMT -5
You know, as I mentioned at the time last year, when I saw Judge and Stanton in a rehab game in Durham, I noted that Judge hit nearly everything to right field--most noticeably in batting practice, not just the game. Also noted that he seemed a little stiff when taking his warm-up swings, like his oblique may have still been bothering him. When he came back to the Yankees, he continued to hit everything to right field. Seems like when he's at his best, he's spraying it all over. Last year, he let everything get deep into the plate before making contact. In fact, it was 6 or 8 weeks before he hit a homer to left after he came back last year. Now, i don't know if this shoulder thing is at all related, but one of the things I would like to see this year is if Judge gets back to hitting to all fields with power. Look at his spray chart from the home run derby--they're all over the place. Just something to keep an eye on.
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Post by pippsheadache on Feb 18, 2020 12:05:30 GMT -5
Spring training is back! 1962 that is. Maris and Mantle must have made that pose a million times in those years. Mick was more media savvy and willingly obliged with his ever-ready aw shucks grin, but Roger was a pretty blunt type who didn't have much patience with being asked to do the same thing over and over. Even in this clip he looks bored with doing it yet once more. That shortstop battle mentioned between Linz and Tresh came about because regular SS Tony Kubek had been called into the military. While there he sustained a spinal injury playing a game of touch football and never played at the same level, retiring at age 29. Tresh went on to become Rookie of the Year in 1962. |
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Post by chiyankee on Feb 18, 2020 13:37:39 GMT -5
More on Judge's shoulder:
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Post by chiyankee on Feb 18, 2020 14:16:32 GMT -5
Cole's spring pitching schedule:
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Post by kaybli on Feb 18, 2020 15:39:06 GMT -5
You know, as I mentioned at the time last year, when I saw Judge and Stanton in a rehab game in Durham, I noted that Judge hit nearly everything to right field--most noticeably in batting practice, not just the game. Also noted that he seemed a little stiff when taking his warm-up swings, like his oblique may have still been bothering him. When he came back to the Yankees, he continued to hit everything to right field. Seems like when he's at his best, he's spraying it all over. Last year, he let everything get deep into the plate before making contact. In fact, it was 6 or 8 weeks before he hit a homer to left after he came back last year. Now, i don't know if this shoulder thing is at all related, but one of the things I would like to see this year is if Judge gets back to hitting to all fields with power. Look at his spray chart from the home run derby--they're all over the place. Just something to keep an eye on. Yes, I remember all his HRs going the other way for awhile after he returned from injury. Hopefully Judge goes back to hitting to all fields with power. |
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Post by kaybli on Feb 18, 2020 15:40:57 GMT -5
Spring training is back! 1962 that is. Maris and Mantle must have made that pose a million times in those years. Mick was more media savvy and willingly obliged with his ever-ready aw shucks grin, but Roger was a pretty blunt type who didn't have much patience with being asked to do the same thing over and over. Even in this clip he looks bored with doing it yet once more. That shortstop battle mentioned between Linz and Tresh came about because regular SS Tony Kubek had been called into the military. While there he sustained a spinal injury playing a game of touch football and never played at the same level, retiring at age 29. Tresh went on to become Rookie of the Year in 1962. A spinal injury playing a game of touch football? It ain't breaking a rib from a sneeze or burning yourself badly from ironing your shirt with it on but what a way to hurt yourself.  |
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Post by noetsi on Feb 18, 2020 18:15:46 GMT -5
Hopefully we all get over injuries. Hicks, Paxton, and Stanton especially
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Post by greatfatness on Feb 19, 2020 5:53:23 GMT -5
Cole's spring pitching schedule: I’ll be at the game on the 15th. Let’s make this happen Cole! |
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Post by greatfatness on Feb 19, 2020 5:55:17 GMT -5
Bench was asked about the position and fundamentals. He said, “Easy. Catch every ball.” He wasn’t being flippant. He really meant it, as a mindset and goal. He also didn’t understand why all catchers don’t put their throwing hand behind their back to protect from foul tips. Never understood that either. I teach the kids that as soon as they’re old enough to put on the gear. |
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