yankeesince59
"Oh Captain, my Captain".
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I first witnessed the shift in the early to mid 60s when it was used against one of the most feared dead pull HR hitters I've ever seen. Willie McCovey. It was appropriately called at that time as, "The McCovey shift. So its been part of the game now for AT LEAST the last 50 years. Now, although I think mgrs get a little carried away when using it against 220 hitters it's still part of the game.
Here's a thought to improve productivity, have players swallow there pride & long ball fucking mentality & learn to hit against the shift. I mean ENOUGH with the "Chicks dig the long ball shit" if these teams are GIVING you a free hit, take it assholes, its called being a team player.
While I'm not sure it should or shouldn't be banned, it's become excessive the last 5-10 years....
Indeed, whatever happened to place hitting? Or hitting the ball where its pitched?...yup the players need change, not the game itself...the players need to adjust to the game, instead of the game adjusting to the players.
I remember the 'other' M&M boys, like it were yesterday. Keep in mind I got both M&M boys, Autographs, including Marichal's, (a few others also), by hanging over the dugout I had crawled upon, hanging my Scored Card, & Pen in hand.I first witnessed the shift in the early to mid 60s when it was used against one of the most feared dead pull HR hitters I've ever seen. Willie McCovey. It was appropriately called at that time as, "The McCovey shift. So its been part of the game now for AT LEAST the last 50 years. Now, although I think mgrs get a little carried away when using it against 220 hitters it's still part of the game.
Here's a thought to improve productivity, have players swallow there pride & long ball fucking mentality & learn to hit against the shift. I mean ENOUGH with the "Chicks dig the long ball shit" if these teams are GIVING you a free hit, take it assholes, its called being a team player.
I remember the 'other' M&M boys, like it were yesterday. Keep in mind I got both M&M boys, Autographs, including Marichal's, (a few others also), by hanging over the dugout I had crawled upon, hanging my Scored Card, & Pen in hand.
The Usher/Security, never said a word at all to me, he only prevented the other 20-30 kids from coming down to the field level seats, to try and do as much. An UNIMAGINABLE feat these days...to not get booted out of the game, let alone scolded.
During the many Giants and A's games I attended in the late 60s, seems like either Mays or McCovey hit a HR, at the game I was at. 1 game specifically I recall, was: Mays hit a solo shot line drive over CF. McCovey not only hit a solo shot also, but hit a Moon shot Grand Slam, of which NO ONE, saw that ball ever come down, no one....didn't even see it splash in the bay.
Like Ted Williams always seeming to hit with a serious shift on, into those gaps and holes still left, despite over crowding the rh side of the field. McCovey in my ancient memory seemed to also hit at will.....!
Yep, I feel that way too. Or, one could say I was a Lucky Kid, even tho' I still got that scorecard....You're a lucky man Rob.
I agree hitters need to adapt but I Am so sick of seeing the shift on every batter.

..."the players being willing to adjust" is not exactly news or a new concept...it has been brought up many times that "ultimately, it is up to the players" to apply what is practiced during pregame batting practice.
...players are asked near the end of every BP to not only drop down a couple of bunts, but also at least slap a couple balls the other way. But again, it is up to the players to take that practice to actual game time ABs.

http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2015/01/to_beat_defensive_shift_yankees_hitters_must_buy_i.html
Now I know why Long was fired.![]()
Pentland said: "I have my work cut out for me as far as them getting to know me and stuff ... but if they don't make an adjustment at all, I'm not doing my job."
Good.
Can't make it a hard rule or anything because of different situations,pitchers,whatever but maybe it can be strongly suggested to, or somehow convince those hitters who are constantly shifted against to committ at least ONE at bat per game....or every other game to hit a ball against the shift. Just try and hit a ground ball (Tex,McCann,ect) in the general direction of 3rd base/SS areas.
Those guys must be convinced and buy into the idea that they can get an "easy" hit maybe once a game, or every other game with a simple basic technique, it's called putting a ball in play to the opposite side of the infield with an easy swing.
lol
In some cases, the "batting coaches" need to be better salesmen.
^^^yup, it also says that Pentland was evidently not doing his job when he was fired from his previous team...but now since being hired by the Yanx he has somehow discovered the secret?
#1 This sounds like a direct shot at Long. Its basically saying that Long didn't do his job.
#2 Also a direct shot at Long. Its basically saying that Long was UNABLE to convince them.
... spoken like a true buddy of Donald Duck.
Unfortunately the Stiener boys don't have half the balls there father had.
