Eric Chavez is one. Luis Rojas is another. I'd tell you the others, but it would mean googling their names, then cutting and pasting them into this post, and pretending to give a flying crap. Not worth it.
Listen: I love coaches. They yell at the umps. They warm up pitchers. They slap backsides. And I do believe batting, pitching, first base, third base, bullpen and bench coaches can have an impact on players - in 11th grade. Used to be they could affect low minor leaguers, though in this era of $5 million cabana boys, even that chestnut of tradition may have plummeted from the tree. At the MLB level? The coaches are the entourage.
If I thought Coach Chavez could teach Joey Gallo how to bunt, or hit to left, or cut down on his Ks, news of these proud new mentors would elicit cheers from my upper deck, (whose halls have balls of holly.)
But Gallo won't change. Why should he? Some voodoo stats suggest he is a productive corner outfielder, despite the whiffs - (numbers don't take into account how strikeouts embolden a pitcher) - and he has built a lucrative MLB career. Why jeopardize his livelihood by listening to a coach, who basically functions as a protective shell for management.
The Yankees spent most of 2021 praising Phil Nevin as a throwback to old-time values, whose health issues united the team, and whose volatility filled the void that coexists with Aaron Boone. Nevin was a lion, a Zim, always poised to ignite the team. Then, after he blew the play at home plate in the wildcard game, the Yankees could barely clean out their lockers before firing him.
Gallo won't change until he faces a career existential threat: With the Yankees, that probably means hitting below .100.
I don't mean to pick on Gallo. Arguably, Yankee fans never saw the real Gallo last season, the one who wins Gold Gloves. I suspect he needs a shrink more than a coach. Does Chavez have a doctorate in psychology? Better yet, can he play left field?
Merry Christmas.
As we raise our Yule nog to toast the implacable .200-ness of Joey "The Whiff" Gallo, let us not forget the continuing pillar of can't-hit Yankeedom, Gary Sachez. Who also can't play consistently solid defense.
ReplyDeleteChampionships are surely made from titans such as these.
Hic.
So glad that we re-signd Eric Chavez.
ReplyDeleteGreat LH power, solid average, plus plays 3rd base.
And he did not cost us anything but money.
Love this. !!! Can't wait until next year.
What?? He's not playing?
Never mind
How is Tanner Swanson TV Dinners still head of Quality Control?
ReplyDeleteHey, he’s a guy who’s career ended because he couldn’t stay healthy. He fits right in with this team.
ReplyDeleteAh, Eric Chavez! Last seen going 0-16 with 8 strikeouts and 0 walks, in the awful meltdown of the 2012 playoffs.
ReplyDeleteThis will likely trigger my PTSD.
So true, El Duque. The Yankees, specifically Cheapskate and Clueless Hal and Genius Cashman. Listen to Mike Fishman and his ANALYTICS. I believe the Yankees will have three hitting coaches in 2022. The Assistant to The Assistant. Stud To Dud Sanchez, Barren Hicks and Mr, Whiff Gallo would not benefit from God himself, as Their hitting coach.
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