Waste of Time?

I see in the Sun-Times today that White Sox GM Chris Getz hired a director of hitting. Both the position and its initial occupant are mysteries to me. Getz went on to say, “We’ve tasked our analysts to be more specialized, and we’re beginning to build some really cool stuff that’s going to help create competitive advantages in a lot of areas.” Oh, boy. Kids and their gizmos. The thing I like about Will Venable, Getz’s new hire for manager, is that he was a nine-year MLB veteran. A successful manager doesn’t have to have played in the big leagues, but it helps. For every Joe Maddon and Earl Weaver, there seem to be a whole lot more Mickey-Mouse types. I don’t want to see an organizational approach to hitting based on tech alone. For the umpteenth time, let me offer the best approach to hitting, as articulated by hitting coach extraordinaire—and sixteen-year MLB vet—Bill Robinson: “A good hitting instructor is able to mold his teachings to the individual. If a guy stands on his head, you perfect that.” Anything else is a waste of time.