Manny Is Back With The Cubs As Hitting Coach, Pay Attention People, This Is How You Build A Champion
Hello Cubs? Yes, I teach everyone to hit ball berry good.
MESA, Ariz. — Controversial slugger Manny Ramirez has been re-hired by the Chicago Cubs as a hitting consultant. Ramirez, who spent last season as a player-coach at Triple-A Iowa, will work with the team’s major and minor league hitters on the fundamental and mental aspects of hitting, according to a news release. Ramirez received rave reviews from several players for his work last season following a 19-year career in which he batted .312 but tested positive twice for performance enhancing drugs.
The Cubs also announced the hiring of former major leaguer Kevin Youkilis as a scouting and player development consultant. Youkilis will assistant the front office by scouting amateur and professional hitters in Northern California and will work with hitters in the minor league system under the direction of the hitting coordinator. Youkilis’ hiring was reported last week by the Tribune.
Everything is coming together. Manny back, Hinske and his sweet back tattoo still in the mix.
Kevin Youkilis being hired (I think Theo is just taking all the Red Sox at this point) and a new offseason “mental skills program”, which is probably just Joe Maddon chucking tennis balls at everyone.
The Cubs also announced:
– A new mental skills program, led by director Josh Lifrak.
It’s all coming together. Now as I’ve said many times over, I don’t actually expect the Cubs to be in the playoffs this year. I may be dumb but I’m not stupid. Competitive through August would be nice. But, no matter where they land in September this will be the most fun Cubs season in 5+ years. They’re young, they’re fresh, they have a great manager, a top of the line ace, a darkhorse MVP candidate ready to break out (Rizzo, if he and Bryant don’t split too many votes), and a certifiable lunatic who can chop it up with the Latin guys as a hitting coach. The Cubs are going to be fun and I for one can not wait.