And he loves it when players are eager to know more. Raines, 55, says he’s doing this because he wants to give back to a game that gave him a lot. The most successful, he says, are the bold and curious ones, the ones who study the game from the dugout and, perhaps most importantly, have the ability to maintain their cool when they feel the heartbeat of the game accelerate. This kid has a very good chance of getting where he wants to go.”Īs in any walk of life, different players respond to his lessons in different ways. “I wish I had 23 players like him on my team,” Raines says. Raines keeps things light with Alford, in part because Alford’s work ethic impresses him. You play seven days a week and you’ve got to be prepared A few minutes later, Alford was back in action, apparently no worse for wear, and Raines was grinning and reminding him that baseball is tougher to play than football.Īrticle content In college and high school you go to school. At one point, Alford twisted an ankle and needed a trainer’s visit during an outfield drill. He and former two-sport star Anthony Alford are especially close, and they swapped barbs throughout the afternoon. Just when you think he might be going grim, he breaks into a grin and a whoop. You play seven days a week and you’ve got to be prepared.” In college and high school you go to school. But they didn’t play every day in high school or college. A lot of guys think they can just get out of bed and go out and play because that’s what they always did. “There’s more to the game than just playing it. This is something they have to get familiar with as young players – getting your rest, owning the way you’re growing. “The grind of playing every day takes its toll, regardless of how young you are,” he said. Raines says the transition to pro ball requires much more than topping up their baseball techniques. Raines took the outfielders into deep right field and hit them ground balls, focusing on footwork and throwing mechanics.įor some of these players, this is the easy part. Manager Ken Huckaby worked with the first basemen on keeping runners close to the bag, and with runners on shuffling their feet at just the right moment to get a good break toward second. If you get it before that spot, you’re coming home.” John Lott/National Post If the ball goes beyond that spot with the bases loaded, you gotta throw to first. Pitching co-ordinator Sal Fasano ran the pitchers’ fielding drills, tossing his well-worn catcher’s mitt to a spot between the mound and first-base line and shouting, “That’s the demarcation line. On Thursday, Raines supervised the bunting drill. for lessons, before batting practice, before the game at night. Now they discover daily how much they have to learn. These kids were big stars before they turned pro. It the lowest minor-league level where teams play a full five-month season of 140 games. His latest stop is in Lansing, home of the Jays’ low Class A club. Crossword Clue Yankees legend Jeter Crossword Clue Little devil Crossword Clue "I kid you _!" Crossword Clue Problem of an arrogant person Crossword Clue Passing craze Crossword Clue Italian cheese in some bagels Crossword Clue What castaways might spell out with large rocks Crossword Clue "Take a _" (Madonna hit) Crossword Clue Actor John of the live-action "Cowboy Bebop" series Crossword Clue Fighter pilot with a great record Crossword Clue Fasteners that sometimes have a Phillips head Crossword Clue "Garfield" or "Peanuts," for example Crossword Clue _ Velva (aftershave brand) Crossword Clue Divine being Crossword Clue "Born in the _" (Bruce Springsteen song) Crossword Clue Color of sadness Crossword Clue Band that comes on before the main act Crossword Clue Change the decor of Crossword Clue The day after Thanksgiving: Abbr.For the past two years, he has toured the minor leagues as the Blue Jays’ outfield and baserunning co-ordinator, trying to show prospects, and a lot of players who imagine they’re prospects, the way to the big leagues. Christmas drink that includes egg yolks Crossword Clue Rabbit's motion Crossword Clue Nonalcoholic brewed beverage Crossword Clue Not in harm's way Crossword Clue Circus structure Crossword Clue Outrage Crossword Clue 1982 movie starring Steve Guttenberg and Kevin Bacon Crossword Clue Get up in the morning Crossword Clue Cuts the grass Crossword Clue Begin to work together: 2 wds.
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