I think it's pretty dumb to bring Greg Walker back. I never personally piled on him on here during the season, but isn't it time for a change?

 

The only reason I see bringing Greg back is the assumption hitting coaches don't matter. The assumption that modern day players won't listen to a hitting coach anyway. If that is true then ... nevermind this argument.

 

What do you folks think?

 

If hitting coaches DO matter, then I think it's safe to say Greg deserves a grade of D for last season and shouldn't be back. Just reassign him.

 

Swish needed help and never got it or never listened to it. He was abysmal.

Paulie didn't figure it out til the last month and a half when he was Paulie again.

Uribe's approach is a trainwreck.

Wise was a mess his last 40 at bats or so. CQ gets hit so many times he may never be healthy after getting plunked on his hands over and over next spring training.

Thome could use some advice. That shift is not conducive to winning White Sox baseball. He has power to left center. Why hit grounders at the shallow right fielder all the time?

Who does Greg Walker help at the plate?

Our lineup was so hot and cold. Didn't we get shut out a great number of times?

 

Again ... why not a change on the staff? Why does Oz love Greg Walker? It doesn't make sense.

Edited November 3, 200817 yr by greg775

Actually not too bothered by Walker coming back at the moment. Paulie figured it out, Uribe came up huge for a good chunk of the season after we lost Crede. AJ, Alexei, and Dye hit, Thome had his moments, and Swisher probably had one of those years that just about everyone has. Oh, and Carlos Quentin. I've come to learn that Walker doesn't have a whole lot to do with how we hit, it's simply our team makeup.

Edited November 3, 200817 yr by Swingandalongonetoleft

Paulie figured it out, Uribe came up huge for a good chunk of the season after we lost Crede. AJ, Alexei, and Dye hit, Thome had his moments, and Swisher probably had one of those years that just about everyone has. Oh, and Carlos Quentin. I've come to learn that Walker doesn't have a whole lot to do with how we hit, it's simply our team makeup.

 

I'd argue that Uribe had one hot streak; Swish looked like a guy in need of a hitting guru. Yeah there were bright spots. I'm thinking hitting coaches probably don't matter in this day and age. Guys won't listen anyways. Hitting coaches just make sure guys put in the work and make sure they get extra hitting, etc. But if they DO MATTER I feel Walker is not top notch. If they don't matter and Oz likes hanging with him, fine.

In regards to Uribe at least, 2008 wasn't one of his typical hot streaks. In years past he would literally carry the team for 2 weeks or so via HR and then cool down. This year he came up big in the right spots over a longer period of time- yeah he did raise his BA by 40 or so points, but he did it with situational hitting, RISP, the leadoff double, etc. 2008 was my favorite year of Uribe despite the lack of profundo.

 

Swish just looked like a guy overcome with pressure- pressure that one can eventually get used to. He looked great at the plate during Paulie's first DLing. I really think he'll get it together right quick and can't imagine the thought process behind getting rid of him. A quick trigger finger means you get nothing back for him after a season that looks to be an outlier for him. The risk v. reward points 100% to keeping him. But yeah, he did seem lost at the plate. With some slumps though, Ted Ruth couldn't help you. You just gotta find the fattest, gnarliest chick...

Edited November 3, 200817 yr by Swingandalongonetoleft

I would imagine Walker would be more likely to help a guy like Getz or any rookie coming up trying to adjust to the majors. CQ didn't look like he needed the help. These guys are professionals and are more likely to tweak their own swing, unless they ask the hitting coach. Also, I think the hitting coach is more for AB to AB help. For instance, "Hey, you were right on that slider, just wait back on it next time."

As long as we continue to draft and develop power pull hitters, he's probably fine.

 

I'd like to see a more rounded approach throughout the system. But I've almost given up on seeing that. Like Pulford, he continues to be here and why, I just don't know. Amazing.

I'd argue he probably has more job security with the White Sox then he's had at any point of his time as our hitting coach.

 

Why?

 

Carlos Quentin would be the main one.

Thome had another 30HR season.

Dye had another consistente season.

Konerko got it figured out.

Alexei's emergence with the bat.

OC had a decent, consistent season etc.

 

The only negatives were really Swisher's inability to hit for a good BA. Walker even got Uribe to hit decently when he filled in at the end of the season.

In regards to Uribe at least, 2008 wasn't one of his typical hot streaks. In years past he would literally carry the team for 2 weeks or so via HR and then cool down. This year he came up big in the right spots over a longer period of time- yeah he did raise his BA by 40 or so points, but he did it with situational hitting, RISP, the leadoff double, etc. 2008 was my favorite year of Uribe despite the lack of profundo.

He wouldn't just cool off... he'd go down to damn near absolute zero for weeks at a time.

Walker did good job with a vetrean team. Quentin and alexi ramierez emerged. Thome had 30 home run season. Dye came back with consistent season. My problems with the team is the fundemental part and no not offense approach. Two issues that this team been lacking with ozzie is 1.) Doing a run down without making 5 throws. and 2.) Which this is ozzie needs pitchers learn is holding runners on.