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If you are a "new school" person and think you can't learn much from the "old school," spend 4 hours around an area scout over the age of 50. Two things will become readily apparent:
1) You were wrong
2) You have discovered a form of time travel; 4 hours will take 15 minutes
1) You were wrong
2) You have discovered a form of time travel; 4 hours will take 15 minutes
In the spirit of @drivelinetosh's thread, I'll point out some "old school" people that influenced me.
Jason Ellison is the Angels hitting crosschecker. He was kind enough to help out a young coach (me) learn the mental side of the game. Really imparted why grit matters.
Jason Ellison is the Angels hitting crosschecker. He was kind enough to help out a young coach (me) learn the mental side of the game. Really imparted why grit matters.
Alex Burg is a major league coach for the Rangers and former pro catcher. Alex taught me: About pitching through the lens of a catcher, transferring D1 colleges and then going into pro ball, what it was like to face a young @BauerOutage (WSU/UCLA) and Tim Lincecum (MR/Liberty).
Larry Young, 24 year career as an MLB umpire. Larry and I were on the same conference ticket in Amsterdam along with Jerry Weinstein. I was naively wondering what I could learn from 2 hours of an umpire's talk. May be the most wrong I've ever been. Unreal to hear him talk.
There's tons of scouts who have helped me. Almost none of them fit the definition of "old school." Scouts are able to change and adapt better than almost anyone. They are constantly wrong, and they know it. They adjust with the times, and with experience.
No names. Just thanks.
No names. Just thanks.
We all have to be willing to learn. Data and information take many forms. A scout's 4 hour talk. A spreadsheet. Slowmo video from a pitcher in Korea. A player's opinion. A coach's gut feeling.
The only thing wrong is to not listen. That's not "old school." That's ignorance.
The only thing wrong is to not listen. That's not "old school." That's ignorance.
One of my coaches w/ the #Reds put it best: Being an asshole who isn't willing to learn while taking potshots at information / new ways of thinking doesn't make you "old school."
It just makes you an asshole.
Same if you think objective data can replace qualitative data.
It just makes you an asshole.
Same if you think objective data can replace qualitative data.
