MLB Dirt

In 1983, this former major league player had seven at-bats with the Oakland A’s.  He had one hit, and finished with a .143 batting average.  It was his only season in the major leagues.  The former player’s name is Dave Hudgens…the current New York Mets hitting coach.

In 1993/94 he totaled 38 at-bats and had 5 hits (.132 BA).  He had one homerun and one RBI in his career.  This former career .132 hitter is Ty Van Burkleo, and he is the current hitting coach for the Houston Astros.

Gregg Ritchie played nine seasons at the minor league level.  During his nine minor league seasons, he hit a total of thirteen homeruns.  Sadly, he never made it to the big leagues.  Gregg Ritchie is currently the hitting coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In four minor league seasons, he totaled three homeruns. He never made it to majors.   Joe Vavra is the former hitting coach of the Minnesota Twins.  He was recently relieved of his duties.

In three minor league seasons, James Rowson batted .204 with nine homeruns.  He never made a major league roster.  Rowson is currently the Chicago Cubs hitting coach.

With resumes like the ones above, one has to wonder how these men were considered qualified to become major league hitting coaches.  Call me crazy, but I would think David Wright, Josh Willingham, or Andrew McCutchen, would have a difficult time taking advice from their respective hitting coach.  Perhaps it’s no coincidence either that these teams didn’t exactly tear up their leagues in the offensive departments.

Being that I have the same amount of major league experience as three of the above mentioned hitting coaches, I am officially offering my services to all major league teams that want me.  And yes…I’ll even work holidays and weekends.

Filed under: Digging Deep - Analysis Tagged: | Chicago Cubs, Dave Hudgens, Gregg Ritchie, Houston Astros, James Rowson, Joe Vavra, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Ty Van Burkleo