Posted by: JLB (oz2009@verizon.net) on Wed May 14 05:05:12 2008

> I know Tony Gwynn was an outstanding hitter but his analysis, IMO is way off base in the video clip that you provided.

> IMHO,
>
> Graylon

Epstein's mantra is, "Do we teach what we really see?" Therein lies the great question because whether it is Joe Morgan on ESPN, who seems to contradict himself in his hitting analysis on an almost daily basis, to Mankin to Epstein, or Mr. Graylon, there is disagreement on what we really see. What intrigued me about the Gwynn analysis was his focus on "POP" in the bat. I'm sure you'll agree many "rotational" hitters lack that special POP that Bonds displays. From a recruiting standpoint, I know POP is a discernable attribute scouts look for during their evaluations. Not every hitter has POP, or as Gwynn says "serious torque". Torque seems to be described differently, and I agree with the Mankin explanation of "bat torque" as others address "body torque" which my orthopediac surgeon confirms as existing but eludes me. Epstein also acknowledges "bat torque" but it is not given as much prominence as does Mankin. At what point in the swing do you then think Bonds is applying force with the bottom hand? In order to level off the bat as his rear shoulder dips, does he not begin applying the forces Mankin describes as BHT/THT in a CHP around his body as Gwynn describes? If not, what do you think gives that extra POP that moves an average rotational hitter a notch up?

JLB