I Want My MTV

The Cubs’ Javy Lopez is upset he doesn’t have the same access to in-game video that he’s had in previous seasons. “To be honest, it sucks,” he told reporters this week, “because I make my adjustments during the game. I watch where the ball went, where the contact was. I’m mad. I’m really mad about that we don’t have it.” Well, that would explain why Baez is presently hitting an anemic .196 with 60 strikeouts in 168 at-bats. But how come over on the South Side, Tim Anderson is hitting .350? He can’t go to his tablet during a game. The same goes for Nelson Cruz (hitting.342 with the Twins) and Freddie Freeman (.333, Braves). What’s their secret? And that part about seeing where the contact is doesn’t ring true, or it shows Baez doesn’t know how to use technology to figure out where the contact isn’t (and why). From 2016-2019, Baez’s annual strikeout totals have been 108; 144; 167; and 156. When the going gets tough, the tough get going, Javy. Baez and any other ballplayer pining for their in-game video might ask themselves, WWBRD? What would Babe Ruth do? Or, better yet, what would the Babe have done if he had the same clubhouse and training facilities today’s players do, along with access to video? And, for matter, WWHAD? What would Hank Aaron do? They probably would’ve hit more homeruns than Barry Bonds, that’s what.