Hidalgo has been awesome

[WilponSTINKS]

The man is a masher ,what a great trade for us.
We got Hidalgo and an actual power threat and dumping Hidalgo allowed you guys to get Beltran so far it has all worked out
good luck guys, hope you rebound in the division

[barzilla]

Yeah, just another reason to hate Jimy though. It's clear that he's a lot more comfortable in New York and as far as I know he got along with everyone here on the team. Hmmmm, I wonder what the problem was.

[Astro Annie]

I would guess Spillman. But that's just a guess. I'm a member of the AIF, so what do I know?

[barzilla]

AIF?

[Astro Annie]

Ashby's Ignorant Fans.

[barzilla]

I think Ash is a pretty good color guy but he is lost with Milo since he has to take over in the middle innings.

[Toy Cannon]

I would guess Spillman. But that's just a guess. I'm a member of the AIF, so what do I know?
That's as good a theory as any. When Hidalgo first came up to the majors, all the talk was about how he listened and observed. How coachable he was. He hit the ball to all fields and with power. Suddenly, after his incredible 2000 season, he pulls everything, very few balls are hit to RF or even CF and he looks clueless at the plate. WHy????? If he is so coachable and listens, this shouldn't happen. SO, he's traded to NYM and suddenly he's out of his funk:notme:

I'm curious to know how many of his hits are up the middle and to RF.

[barzilla]

It never ceases to amaze me when I hear the drivel that comes out of these hitting coaches mouths. However, Spillman has been quiet so I don't know what his philosophy is. Yet, when you look at his career numbers you can't be too impressed. You know, if the club is worried about firing Jimy before the break why not fire Spillman and see how that does for a couple weeks?

[Toy Cannon]

Gary Gaetti is down at N.O. and is very highly thought of in the organization. It's a guarantee that next season he'll be on a ML club serving as hitting instructor. Why not promote him now? Can't do any harm, IMO.

[Toy Cannon]

An article in the Chronicle gives credit for Richard's turn around to Don Baylor:

The source of Hidalgo’s struggles in Houston, according to Baylor, was a swing flaw caused by an inconsistent right wrist. In more than four seasons at Minute Maid Park, where righthanded hitters can see the close left-field wall over their shoulder when they stand at the plate, Hidalgo began rolling his top wrist slightly toward that fence at the apex of his swing, bringing the bat slightly out of line and leading to ground balls and double plays.

To correct that tendency, Baylor said Hidalgo started practicing with a batting tee, swinging his wrists correctly until the feel of that swing became innate. The pair also discussed contact points — hitting the ball out in front of the plate and pitch selection.
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Spillman is NOT doing his job.:bonehead

[barzilla]

You don't have to say that twice. Everytime Hidalgo swung I always said "Chk Chk, pull" like at a skeeter shoot because that what he would try to do everytime. Kudos to Baylor for fixing Hidalgo. Maybe this guy wouldn't make a bad manager. After all, everyone thought Dierker was a great hire at the beginning because it would almost be like having two pitching coaches with he and Ruhle. Maybe this club could use two hitting instructors. Unfortunately, Jimy doesn't really have any knowledge on pitching or hitting. He's known as a teaching manager. What he teaches I'm not really sure.