Catfish
Registered
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2006
- Posts
- 4,551
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- 64
I was one of the posters who was very hard on Justin Upton earlier this year.
I still believe that criticism was deserved. I was also one of the first to acknowledge that he had made some very positive movement in the right direction, as he started to come around. Now I believe that he has fully arrived in the National League, and that he will be around for a long time to come.
It is clear that he has had a change of attitude. He is no longer the sullen, lone ball player who only talks to one other player. He has become a much more complete player and person, who has shown that he aspires to follow, (and learn from), his manager and especially his batting coach. The relationship that he has gained with Don Baylor is remarkable to say the least. He can frequently be seen in the dugout going over the previous at-bat with Baylor, and is obviously focused on absorbing everything that Baylor is explaining to him. Many times after such a discussion, he immediately goes to Chris Young, and divulges that information to him also. The attempts to swing hard enough to take him to a knee are mostly past. His average, and the number of safe hits have risen appropriately.
He is now among the first to congratulate a fellow player for having made a great play, or contributed a good at-bat. He is especially acknowledging of the work that the pitchers have done.
Most of all, he now seems to actually be having FUN playing this great game. There is a lightness to his step, and a smile on his face much more frequently than before. Unless I miss my guess, Justin Upton is here to stay, and will become one of those players who can put this team on his shoulders and carry it from time to time. Good for him, and good for us.
I still believe that criticism was deserved. I was also one of the first to acknowledge that he had made some very positive movement in the right direction, as he started to come around. Now I believe that he has fully arrived in the National League, and that he will be around for a long time to come.
It is clear that he has had a change of attitude. He is no longer the sullen, lone ball player who only talks to one other player. He has become a much more complete player and person, who has shown that he aspires to follow, (and learn from), his manager and especially his batting coach. The relationship that he has gained with Don Baylor is remarkable to say the least. He can frequently be seen in the dugout going over the previous at-bat with Baylor, and is obviously focused on absorbing everything that Baylor is explaining to him. Many times after such a discussion, he immediately goes to Chris Young, and divulges that information to him also. The attempts to swing hard enough to take him to a knee are mostly past. His average, and the number of safe hits have risen appropriately.
He is now among the first to congratulate a fellow player for having made a great play, or contributed a good at-bat. He is especially acknowledging of the work that the pitchers have done.
Most of all, he now seems to actually be having FUN playing this great game. There is a lightness to his step, and a smile on his face much more frequently than before. Unless I miss my guess, Justin Upton is here to stay, and will become one of those players who can put this team on his shoulders and carry it from time to time. Good for him, and good for us.
