From chicagotribune.com:
One after another Wednesday at HoHoKam Park, the line drives exploded off the bat of Alfonso Soriano during Cubs batting practice.
Behind the cage hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo didn't see a single one land, his eyes focused intently on Soriano's hips and his words aimed specifically for his ears.
"Espidad, espidad!'' Jaramillo repeated.
Asked later for a translation, Jaramillo explained the command reminds the free-swinging Soriano to slow down his breathing, which slows down his mind and thus his approach to the ball.
This is why Jaramillo is so important to this team. When he speaks, his words are aimed specifically for people's ears and he reminds them to breathe. Eat your heart out, Gerald Perry.
Jaramillo doesn't necessarily have to speak the same language to connect with a hitter he mentored for two seasons with the Rangers. But, in Soriano's case, it improves his hearing as well as his hitting.
"Sure it helps," Jaramillo said. "I love teaching in Spanish.''
Although it confuses the hell out of Mike Fontenot.
All kidding aside, I am excited about the addition of Rudy Jaramillo to the coaching staff. In fact, while covering Spring Training for BLT, I was able to sit in while Jaramillo worked with Ryan Theriot in the batting cages yesterday in sunny Arizona. I have to tell you that it definitely looked encouraging. See for yourself:
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1 comments:
OK, the picture was good, but I have to say what really made me laugh out loud was the "Eat your heart out Gerald Perry" line. Classic stuff...
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