It was Earl Weaver-----

[Catfish]

"It was Earl Weaver". That was the reply that D-Backs hitting coach, Don Baylor made to Darren Sutton when he asked who was responsible for helping him to turn his game around, and get over the hump, and the struggles of learning to be a big league player. This was the beginning of an aftergame interview wherein the discussion turned to how Justin Upton had made a big change in his demeanor and in his efforts on the field.

That change came after an at-bat in a getaway game at Chase Field, where a very frustrated Upton had slung his bat into the D-Backs dugout after striking out yet again, a trait that had become commonplace in the month of May. Baylor told how he had approached Gibby, and said that they needed to set down with the kid, and talk baseball. That talk came when they arrived in Houston, during the next road trip. Baylor told of how they had explained to Upton that he was hurting himself and the team by trying to carry all this frustration on his shoulders. They encouraged him to relax, have some fun, and quit swinging for the fences, as with his strength, the home runs would come anyway, but he would be better off if he could just consistently put the ball in play. Just as Earl Weaver's magic had rubbed off onto Baylor-----the magic of Baylor and Gibson has rubbed off onto Upton.

The change in Upton's play, and the fortunes of the D-Backs, has been remarkable since that talk. Upton has gone from a .240 hitter to having a batting average over .300, and the D-Backs have climbed from the cellar in the NL West, to a slim first place lead over the Giants. True, other changes have been made as well, but this one was the spark that ignited the fire. It stands in testament to the baseball wisdom of both Baylor and Gibson. The results of that talk have been enormous, as have the fortunes of the Diamond Backs. We, the fans are reaping the results.

 

[Gaddabout]

I still maintain position coaches are a silly thing for MLB, but Don Baylor has proven his worth far more as a sage guide and veteran on the bench. For all the credit Gibson has received, I think an equal portion should be passed on to Baylor, who has become Manager 1B because of his ability to assess personalities and provide careful guidance. We're talking about a former Manager of the year, not just one of the best hitters of his generation. He's also been a bench coach.

I tip my hat to Baylor. What a plucky acquisition that was.