Gladden was talking during today's game about how the Twins hitters are much more aggressive and he credited this to

[Blandon]

... a new coaching philosophy. He mentioned that working the count isn't always to the advantage of the hitter because hitting with two strikes is so difficult. He also noted that the days of watching a first-pitch cookie down the middle are over.

I wonder if the absence of Joe Mauer is also playing a part in freeing hitters up to swing away rather than emulating the hitting approach of the team's "star."

Am I on to something or on something?

[RubeTube]

... a new coaching philosophy. He mentioned that working the count isn't always to the advantage of the hitter because hitting with two strikes is so difficult. He also noted that the days of watching a first-pitch cookie down the middle are over.

I wonder if the absence of Joe Mauer is also playing a part in freeing hitters up to swing away rather than emulating the hitting approach of the team's "star."

Am I on to something or on something?

It has nothing to do with Mauer. They finally cleaned out the last of the #TwinsWay guy's with the Roco move.

It's been all in house guy's for years with the same philosophy. Enter the new gms, manager and analytics playng a huge roll and this is what you get.

[BBG]

Commonly known as the Rocco effect

[Hornets]

I noticed this same thing (and commented on it) after the first 4 or 5 games....yes, MUCH more aggressive and a lot of first pitch swings. I love it....if that first one is comin down the middle ya gotta take a whack at it!

[bubu dubu.]

most of the players on the team are aggressive hitters. It has nothing to do with Mauer.

[BBG]

It's true that they are building a different identity from the Mauer era which is really exciting for the fans. Gone are the days of small ball and moving guys over and pitching to contact.

The Twins are finally playing a modern style of ball and they have been successful in this extremely small sample size

[Blandon]

It's true that they are building a different identity from the Mauer era which is really exciting for the fans. Gone are the days of small ball and moving guys over and pitching to contact.

The Twins are finally playing a modern style of ball and they have been successful in this extremely small sample size

Agreed. It's a much more entertaining brand of baseball!

[Jimtown guy]

It's true that they are building a different identity from the Mauer era which is really exciting for the fans. Gone are the days of small ball and moving guys over and pitching to contact.

The Twins are finally playing a modern style of ball and they have been successful in this extremely small sample size

Well said BBG. Loving this new look Twins. Liked Roco the first time I heard him interviewed.

[DC4MVP]

I wonder if the absence of Joe Mauer is also playing a part in

Can we stop blaming Joe for EVERYTHING? He was literally one player. His approach at the plate didn't have any effect on any other players. That's all from the coaches instilling a "wait for your pitch" small ball philosophy because of the entire "Twins way" bullshit.

What's next? "Since Mauer retired, the Twins pitchers are a lot more aggresive!"

[salamander]

... a new coaching philosophy. He mentioned that working the count isn't always to the advantage of the hitter because hitting with two strikes is so difficult. He also noted that the days of watching a first-pitch cookie down the middle are over.

I wonder if the absence of Joe Mauer is also playing a part in freeing hitters up to swing away rather than emulating the hitting approach of the team's "star."

Am I on to something or on something?

I liked Mauers approach at the plate other than watching that first pitch every time.

He got too much grief though. He's a great hitter. Imagine if he'd have played at Yankee stadium.

[Blandon]

I wonder if the absence of Joe Mauer is also playing a part in

Can we stop blaming Joe for EVERYTHING? He was literally one player. His approach at the plate didn't have any effect on any other players. That's all from the coaches instilling a "wait for your pitch" small ball philosophy because of the entire "Twins way" bullshit.

What's next? "Since Mauer retired, the Twins pitchers are a lot more aggresive!"

The idea that other players on a team (any team, any sport) might emulate that team's "best" player is pretty reasonable.
And my post doesn't blame Joe for ANYTHING, let alone everything.

[D_H]

... a new coaching philosophy. He mentioned that working the count isn't always to the advantage of the hitter because hitting with two strikes is so difficult. He also noted that the days of watching a first-pitch cookie down the middle are over.

I wonder if the absence of Joe Mauer is also playing a part in freeing hitters up to swing away rather than emulating the hitting approach of the team's "star."

Am I on to something or on something?

I liked Mauers approach at the plate other than watching that first pitch every time.

He got too much grief though. He's a great hitter. Imagine if he'd have played at Yankee stadium.

Joe Mauer is far from a great hitter he averaged approximately 8 home runs 65 runs scored and 60 RBI per year. He's a lifetime 306 hitter and if he would not have spent the majority of his career hitting on the cement hard Metrodome infield where those 18 hopper's got through ...he would have been a lifetime 290 hitter. People need to stop over estimating him because he was from Minnesota, he will NEVER come close to sniffing the Hall of Fame.

End of thread

[Thrillkill]

... a new coaching philosophy. He mentioned that working the count isn't always to the advantage of the hitter because hitting with two strikes is so difficult. He also noted that the days of watching a first-pitch cookie down the middle are over.

I wonder if the absence of Joe Mauer is also playing a part in freeing hitters up to swing away rather than emulating the hitting approach of the team's "star."

Am I on to something or on something?

It has nothing to do with Mauer. They finally cleaned out the last of the #TwinsWay guy's with the Roco move.

It's been all in house guy's for years with the same philosophy. Enter the new gms, manager and analytics playng a huge roll and this is what you get.

It's only been the biggest bitch about the Twins for 20 years. Thank God for Rocco!