From the article:
Walker has since moved on to take the same job with Atlanta, after an overall successful run with the White Sox. And where proven players such as Dunn, Rios and even Beckham came up short in 2011 is concerned, laying the blame on Walker stands as the easy alternative but certainly not the correct one.
"You can't get a coach to go up and hit the ball for me," Beckham said.
This is a bullshit statement. I hated when people, especially players would say this about Walker. Sure, he's not hitting the ball for you, but when pitchers pitch well, everyone praises Cooper. But Cooper isn't pitching for you. So, why then can't people critize the hitting coach when hitters aren't hitting well?
Just say it like it is and stop defending the coaches.
*rant over*
Anyway, thanks for posting this article.
One difference for Manto in comparison to the rest of Ventura's staff is that he has previous big league experience as the Pirates hitting coach for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Manto fully comprehends a comment made on the final day of last season by Konerko, labeling the task of hitting coach as the toughest job in professional sports.
Wow, so we have a dugout full of coaches and managers with zero MLB experience and this guy was with the Pirates in 2006 (67 wins) & 2007 (68 wins)? What has he been doing since 2007?
As one might imagine, my expctations for this team during the next 2-4 years are zero. At least I know I won't be disappointed.
