Posted by: Doug () on Mon Feb 27 19:09:06 2006

> > > > >>> Jack. This is a continuation of my previous post regarding "Trying to hit a homerun every at bat cancels consitency".
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> > > > I almost forgot to mention Lau also believe that (like you have mentioned to a different degree) all successful hitters do certain things which he believed could be taught to anyone with above average athletic ability and repetition. One of his key observances was that the hitter has to be in the launch position once his lead foot hit the ground (see art of .300 video and or book). It is noted that the launch position for some was different from others, but never the less each hitter was at his own launch position for consistency. Ex. A Chuck Knoblack's launch position would be different from a George Brett, but both hitters batted in the high .300s on more than one occasion. <<<
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> > > > Hi Guru
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> > > > Here are a couple quotes that might interest you.
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> > > > When Ted Williams was asked what he thought of Lau's theory he said, "He's done more to ruin the art of hitting than anyone in the history of baseball."
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> > > > When asked what he thought of Lau's book, he said, "They should burn every copy ever printed."
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> > > > You state, “It is noted that the launch position for some was different from others, but never the less each hitter was at his own launch position for consistency.” – That would depend on your definition of ‘launch position.’ For this site, I have defined the launch position as: “When the bat has been brought to the swing plane and shoulder rotation is being initiated.”
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> > > > Therefore, when all great hitters are in the launch position, they will all have the bat, hands lead-forearm and elbow in the same plane. Guru, you may occasionally find a strong athlete (like Frank Thomas) who can produce with less efficient mechanics. However, by far, most great hitters exhibit the same transfer mechanics – the “10 Absolutes.”
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> > > > PS This site has not recommended “Trying to hit a homerun every at bat.” We do recommend hitting the ball hard. If your swing is a little high, it’s a sizzling grounder – hit it square, it’s a frozen rope to the gaps – hit it a little under center, its bye – bye time.
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> > > > Jack Mankin
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> > > PS This site has not recommended “Trying to hit a homerun every at bat.” We do recommend hitting the ball hard.
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> > > With regard to your comment above, my post was used to promote discussion though many feel its merits are true.
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> > > It is also interesting to note that the Boston Red Sox organization of the middle 1980's players seemed to benefit from Lau's teachings, especially Dwight Evans and Dave Henderson. Also, in the past, the Red Sox Organization has allowed both Lau and Williams to offer advice one after the other. So the debate goes on.
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> > Guru, The Red Sox of the middle 80's had a hitting coach named Walt Hriniak, not Charlie Lau. Mr. Lau passed away in 1984 I believe. Dwight Evans worked with Hriniak and not Lau. Would you suggest that hitters hit the ball softly? One more thing, why would you even bring up Chuck Knoblauch in the same sentence with George Brett?
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> Doug. I mentioned that the Red Sox benefited from Lau's teachings. Walt Hriniak was a disciple of Lau who carried on his concepts and teachings.
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> I would suggest that hitters hit the ball hard. Lau (The Mike Schmidt Study) felt the Lau method help hitters with below average and average strength generate more power.
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> You may not recall, but Chuck Knoblack played on allstar teams as George Brett did. And Knoblack also finished with a .341 average one year. But the comment was made to note that knoblack's launch posision was different but effective for a player of less ability and strength as a George Brett.


Hriniak did not teach like Lau. The only way they were thought of "together" was that they taught the one hand release. Lau encouraged it and Hriniak demanded it from every hitter in the organization.Hriniak also demanded that "every hitter" have his head go straight down too. HE was brutal, and turned the best college hitter I have ever seen into a .265 hitter......Robin Ventura would have been fighting for the batting title every year if not for Hriniak. Lau taught Hal McCrae along with George Brett and Hal did not release. Hriniak ruined the White Sox system until he was finally fired. He tried to clone every single hitter in the W Sox system. Lau never did that. Don't compare the two, as it is an injustice to Lau. As for Brett and Knoblauch, why don't you use a comparison like Brett and Will Clark? Comparing Brett and Knoblauch is a joke.