Counsell as a batting coach? (Craig withdraws name from consideration; post #13)

[markedman5]

Those who can do....those who can't teach?

 

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/179954611.html

[RockCoCougars]

Well, Rod Carew was a 'terrible' hitting coach for the Brewers (or at least 'his' hitters were), so maybe it's a yin and yang type deal.

[chadomac]

Rob Deer was a hitting coach for someone at some point. That always amused me. Career .220 hitter

 

Dale Sveum too... a career .236 hitter.

[jerichoholicninja]

Possibly the most pointless coach, right above bullpen coach, so whatever.

[Baldkin]

Possibly the most pointless coach, right above bullpen coach, so whatever.

 

Both can actually make a huge difference to hitters (and pitchers) if they do their job well.

 

Seeing minor mechanical adjustments and being able to both explain them and get the players to make them can make a big difference.

 

Where the problems arise, is when a coach can't coach individuals and expects everyone to adopt his philosophy (see Peterson, Rick)

[GB12]

Hey, Johnny Narron never even made it past A-ball. A .255 average over a 16 year major league career is a hell of a lot more than most hitting coaches can claim

[endaround]

I don't really think how Counsell hit matters. I think the fact that he was known for the most unorthodox batting stance for most of his career does.

[JohnBriggs12]

What better guy to "counsell" a hitter going through an 0 for 40 something slump?

 

"Listen kid, I've been been there, done that".

[dlk9s]

Aside from the fact that he wouldn't be with the Brewers anymore, I'm all for it. Hope he gets the job.

[ELCABALLO45]

The whole, "He hit this for his career, so why is he a hitting coach" thing is stupid. I wasn't the greatness basketball player, that doesn't mean I can't coach it well.

[WV Brew]

Chadomac=Rob Deer has been hired as an assistant hitting coach by the Cubs!

[TooLiveBrew]

This is a couple days old, but McCalvy noted on his blog that Counsell turned down this offer.

 

Brewers special assistant Craig Counsell cited family considerations for last week’s decision to withdraw his name from consideration for the hitting coach position in Boston. The Red Sox subsequently hired Greg Colbrunn.

 

“It just wasn’t the right time for me,” Counsell said.

 

Counsell, who has worked as an aide to Brewers general manager Doug Melvin since January, said he made clear to the Red Sox that he was interested but had some “family reservations.” Counsell lives with his wife and three boys just north of Milwaukee.

 

On the other hand, Counsell’s parents live in Ft. Myers, Fla., where the Red Sox have Spring Training, and he was interested enough to travel to Boston for an interview.

 

“Family-wise, I just wasn’t ready to do something like that,” Counsell said. “I was interested in it as a challenge. That’s what was attractive. And it is Boston, and that’s attractive.”