Posted by: Jude (wayout1@columbus.rr.com) on Mon May 11 23:07:36 2009

Everything is relative. Compared to almost any player, especially today's players, including Bonds, Williams hands were low at launch. He launched (tip of bat starting backward) with the top of his top hand level with his armpit. I have innumerable side shots of Williams, but I only need one to verify this fact. Starting in this relatively low position with a vertical bat is why Williams was able to put the ball in the air with the success that he did. (In a conversation with Boggs and Mattingly he told them that he set up with a vertical bat because it helped him get the ball in the air.)