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All right, so every time a hitting coach gets fired, and I mean every time, there’s always a shared sentiment by some fans that in fact the hitting coach doesn’t matter. He’s not the one hitting, the players are. OK, fine, I’ve obviously never been inside an MLB clubhouse, I don’t know what is actually expected of hitting coaches. Yet, whatever those expectations are, players simply never believed in Chili Davis and after one year he’s been dismissed.
So, who’s going to be the next hitting coach for the Cubs? I certainly don’t think there’s a perfect guy for the job or whatever, but it sure does seem like one of the biggest issues with Davis is that players didn’t buy into him. There was no trust between coach and player aside from a few guys.
Here’s a report from The Athletic.
Yes, Davis should be helping them adjust, but it’s also on the players to be able to soak in that information and apply it properly.
But that seems to be exactly part of what went wrong. According to a source familiar with the situation, the Cubs aren’t saying this is Davis’ fault, but rather the team’s hitters not being ready for what he had to offer. Apparently, not many of the players, outside of a few like Ben Zobrist, Jason Heyward and a handful of others, really ever clicked with Davis. At one point last winter, Maddon suggested Davis’ arrival would be like the Cubs hitters moving to a graduate level program. It appears as though too many of them were a few credits shy.
Players also reportedly said Davis changed their swings and approaches for the worse in 2018. And that definitely fits into the results, as the Cubs took a huge dip on offense.
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On the latest episode of the Pinwheels and Ivy Podcast, we discussed what the role is for a hitting coach and came to the conclusion that whoever it is just needs to be another coach that players can trust during tough times. Another guy to bounce ideas off of, get little tips, get more motivation. Shit like that.
Basically, you want your hitting coach to be a hitting shrink, instead of someone coming in and making huge changes to players.
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The idea of bringing in Chili Davis was that the Cubs would add more contact and an opposite-field approach to their game on top of what they already excelled in, hitting home runs and high OBP.
However, the philosophy seemed to have taken away from what the Cubs did best and although there were some improvements, the change resulted in a net loss by the offense.
Let’s stick with the idea of a hitting coach being like a shrink, though. What former player knows the players on this roster and has a better connection than anyone else with them? David Ross. Who was looked at as a leader for two years, despite being a backup catcher the entire time? David Ross. Who has a great relationship with Joe Maddon as well? David Ross. Who won’t come in and try to do something drastic to try and improve the approaches for Cubs hitters? David Ross.
Chili Davis never clicked with players and now he's gone, so who should be the next hitting coach for the #Cubs? Davis Ross.
This is why he'd be a good fit if he wants the job. Listen to the latest episode of @PinwheelsIvyPod ⬇️https://t.co/6gH1FlUK13https://t.co/Os60xqs5fC pic.twitter.com/mY9iSfQa2X
— ✶ Sports Mockery ✶ (@sportsmockery) October 12, 2018
Ross currently works as an MLB analyst with ESPN and has a role in front office for the Cubs. The Twins reportedly were interested in interviewing him for their manager position, but nothing appears to have resulted from that. Last year the Cubs reportedly considered Ross as a candidate to be the bench coach after Dave Martinez left for the Nationals, so they believe he can handle coaching duties.
Anyway, make sure to listen every Friday for new episodes.
