Batting practice with Alex Gordon

This is actually a really good article by Lee Judge on the ins and outs of Gordon's hitting philosophy and his work with Kevin Seitzer. There was a pretty good video clip on KMBC 9 last night with Seitzer talking about his work and tearing up about how Gordon finally "got it", but I can't seem to find it online.

4 months ago RoyalsRetro 33 comments 0 recs |

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Also, for Bob Dutton, on a long-term deal

Last I’ve heard is two sides aren’t particularly close but talks remain cordial and both sides want to get something done, i.e., no change.

https://twitter.com/#!/Royals_Report/status/160403617105457152

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by RoyalsRetro on Jan 21, 2012 12:37 PM EST reply actions

I was going to post a link to this myself

We should give Judge credit when he does good work. If he would stay in this vein, it would be a joy to read his work.

by Nighthawk at the Diner on Jan 21, 2012 1:02 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

So is Seitzer saying that Gordon doesn't really have a bad attitude?

I don't believe it.

by NotAHippie on Jan 21, 2012 1:06 PM EST reply actions

He drives a BMW

He is a prima donna.

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by RoyalsRetro on Jan 21, 2012 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

A BMW is pretty modest for a MLB Bonus Baby

by hawkinscm87 on Jan 22, 2012 4:13 PM EST up reply actions

But what does his Girl Friend look like?

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by averagegatsby on Jan 22, 2012 8:27 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Well, his wife (and kid) look like this

by Yodazilla on Jan 23, 2012 11:55 AM EST up reply actions

His girlfriend is hotter

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by Scott McKinney on Jan 23, 2012 3:57 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

why does Gordon look like the one that was pregnant?

I am the one who knocks.

by PhattStairs on Jan 23, 2012 10:55 PM EST up reply actions

And he only wanted to hit 10 home runs.

slacker

by Black and Gold on Jan 21, 2012 1:30 PM EST up reply actions

I do question

The notion that Gordon needs to be more aggressive, particularly with two strikes. So he strikes out a lot, so what? Seems odds that Seitzer, one of the few patient hitters in Royals history, would advocate an approach that is less selective.

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by RoyalsRetro on Jan 21, 2012 1:16 PM EST reply actions

I wouldn't think a change in approach would be warranted after how he hit in 2011

Improvement is always good, but how much tinkering does Gordon need at this point?

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by Scott McKinney on Jan 21, 2012 2:30 PM EST up reply actions

Constant tinkering.

If you have a skill, you have to constantly work to keep it up and get better. You can always improve (unless you’re Barry Bonds, and then he could’ve improved by juicing sooner. but that doesn’t count)

by Yodazilla on Jan 21, 2012 3:14 PM EST up reply actions

And there’s also a risk that changes will actually change what you’re doing right, not just what you’re doing wrong. I’m not saying Seitzer is wrong here. I just agree with Retro that this is worth of question, at least.

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by Scott McKinney on Jan 21, 2012 3:15 PM EST up reply actions

It's not a change in approach

It’s a change in approach with 2 strikes. Huge difference. The comment is based on allowing close pitches to go by and putting your fate in the umpires hands. It’s the same thing with life, don’t put your life into other peoples hands unless you really have too.

Seitzer’s approach is what Gordon used last year. The only thing he didn’t follow through on was the 2 strike approach. He’s got to fight pitches off until he gets a good one and try not to do as much on pitches that he can’t handle. Part of this is Alex’s maturation process as a hitter.

There is so much more to this than a lot of guys realize. Don’t nitpick to much or you’ll end up picking your nose.

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by 306008 on Jan 23, 2012 9:14 AM EST up reply actions

I think it is worth questioning. I’m not saying it’s clearly a mistake (nor is Retro, I believe).

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by Scott McKinney on Jan 23, 2012 9:42 AM EST up reply actions

Worth questioning, maybe

But I think the answer is very clearly that it’s worth it. I’m not an athlete but I am a musician and can say that you can always do things to improve—obviously there will be limits (age and whatnot) but often tinkering is the only way that you even stay at a certain level.

by Yodazilla on Jan 23, 2012 12:00 PM EST up reply actions

Continued practice is extremely important

It’s less clear how tinkering (doing things differently) actually leads to improvement. It can. It can also “fix” what ain’t broken.

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by Scott McKinney on Jan 23, 2012 3:58 PM EST up reply actions

Definitely a concern.

Maybe it’s only aspirational.

by hawkinscm87 on Jan 22, 2012 4:14 PM EST up reply actions

Does He Take

An unusual number of called third strikes?

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jan 22, 2012 5:13 PM EST up reply actions

That was a good article. I really liked it.

Judge does that kind of thing very well.

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by Scott McKinney on Jan 21, 2012 2:30 PM EST reply actions

Nice job by Judge

From a total layperson’s folk psychological perspective, I wonder if Gordon might need to take it a bit easier in the off-season if he’s the only one there (at least that early). I mean, from all accounts, he always has worked hard. I mean, I cede to an athlete’s knowledge of what he or she needs to do to “stay in shape,” it’s just something that struck me. If it works for him… I just know that for me, I need a change of pace during “down times.”

Still love the irony of the “Next George Brett” helping out the “Next George Brett, Jr.”

[Mark Teahen was the next Jason Giambi.]

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by Matt Klaassen on Jan 21, 2012 5:04 PM EST reply actions

wow, that made no sense. Shoulda kept that first paragraph to myself.

oh well, just typed whatever came into my head. It’s Saturday, what do you expect?

Making watching baseball as fun as doing your taxes.
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by Matt Klaassen on Jan 21, 2012 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

I don't know how hard he's worked in the past.

I just know that MNS is close enough to other areas that if a guy wants to work all he has to do is hop on a plane and get there.

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by 306008 on Jan 23, 2012 9:16 AM EST up reply actions

Really good paragraph here

I mean, it’s not like a coach is going to say anything else for an article/interview like this, but anyway:

Seitzer also thinks that the public’s perception of Gordon has often been incorrect. Baseball is a "cool" sport: Getting angry may help an NFL defensive end, but an angry baseball player is useless. A player like Gordon, who keeps his emotions under control, can be perceived as "not caring." The public might perceive a player who rages and breaks bats as really "caring," while teammates see the same player as selfish. Someone who distracts the team from the business at hand.

Making watching baseball as fun as doing your taxes.
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Before getting tweaked, read up on regression.

by Matt Klaassen on Jan 21, 2012 5:08 PM EST reply actions