Will Making Bagwell A Coach Change Anything For Astros?

The attention lately surrounding the Pirates has been the inabilityof Pirates coaches to lead the young team.  Many on this blog have called for a coaching change.  It seems obvious that something

must be done.  But what?

Is firing John Russell and making Gary Varsho really the answer for the Pittsburgh Pirates?

The Houston Astros are playing 21 straight against divisional opponents.    It will be key to their season to play well and avoid becoming the cellar dellars like many have predicted.  Unlike the Bucs, the Astros made a change at the All-Star break which is why I found these quotes very interesting.   Jeff Bagwell has been a special assistant for the Astros, but he has recently been named the new Astros hitting coach.

Bagwell was a great player.   He hit 449 home runs.  He played as a DH in the World Series.

"I give credit to Jaramillo.   He taught me so much after I hit 15 homers as a rookie.  I thought that was a lot.."

There are seven hitting coaches among the 30 Major League teams who never played in the Major Leagues: Kevin Long (Yankees), Jim Skaalen (Oakland), Rick Eckstein (Washington), Rudy Jaramillo (Cubs), Don Long (Pittsburgh), Derek Shelton (Tampa Bay) and Joe Vavra (Twins)–[from MLB.com.]

If Don Long were dismissed, I am trying to think of a recent Pirates player who could make a similar impact on the young Bucs?    Hmmm…… I don’t believe there is a Pirate that was relevant enough to have had an impact on the team such as Bagwell did.  But I’m getting ahead of myself.   Each of these quotes came from the Houston Chronicle.

"“I expect guys to run the bases. Their job as hitters is not done after they reach first base,” Bagwell said. “Their job is done when they reach home plate. That’s something I’m going to be on the guys about, going from first to third, because it’s going to help the hitter behind them.”“That’s important to me. There’s a certain way the Houston Astros play baseball, and I want to make sure we’re playing that way.”"

A coach talking about baserunning.  He talks about baserunning helping the hitter.  Blows me away.  Think the Pirates could use that?  Did you see Pedro the other night on third base?  Of course you did.  You’ve seen it all year.

But this quote was my favorite.

"“You definitely don’t want to disappoint Baggy. He’s kind of like your dad — you don’t want to do anything to disappoint him.”"

That came from veteran1B Lance Berkman.  He was talking about accountability.  Could the Bucs use some of that?  Say all you want about coaching not making a difference, not playing the game and you have a point.  A very valid point.  I enjoy reading players talking about their coaches.  I believe it helps in fundamental development.  It’s hard to see right now which is why I’m pissed Perry Hill is gone.

I am very interested in seeng how the Astros end their long stretch against division opponents.  They have played exceptionally well against the division.   Thanks in large part to seven wins over the Bucs.  This stretch could make their season.

But the big picture test that interests me is this,  will Bagwell be able to carry on the Astros accountability after the veterans like Berkman are gone?  Keep an eye on it.

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