The Braves are going to announce Larry Parrish as the team's new hitting coach later today. Parrish is currently the manager of the Detroit Tigers' triple-A team.
During his playing days, Parrish played for the Montreal Expos and Texas Rangers. He slugged 256 home runs but had just a .318 on base percentage. Hopefully, this means he can help some hitters out with their power stroke.
Earlier this month, Terry Pendleton was moved to first base coach, creating a vacancy in the hitting coach position. After interviewing a few candidates, it appears that the Braves felt most comfortable with Parrish.
0 recs | 124 comments
Gotta be better than Terry...
I hope.
Mike Kerns - October 29, 2010
Hmm
Interesting. Any information/opinions on this matter?
dank7 - October 29, 2010
Nothing to really base it off, but DKnobler at CBS Sports said: “Great hire by Braves. Larry Parrish is outstanding at working with hitters. Will make a good hitting coach”
BenDuronio - October 29, 2010
For the record...
His 162 game average as a player: .263/22/85. As Ben indicated in the post, his career OBP was .318 (Career high in walks: 52). But, we’re not hiring him to play LF, I’m just indicating he had a lengthy enough and moderately successful enough career to reference as well as the seemingly very positive reviews early on to make this a positive hire. Anyone know if he and Fredi have worked together in the past?
The Keith Lockhart Era - October 29, 2010
I think they managed against each other from what I read about him, but now I can’t remember where I read this…
award6 - October 29, 2010
lol Jason is so tall compared to everyone else.
MBL1 - October 29, 2010
well, when you are 6'5"
and the guy next to you is 5’11".
it´s a great difference
joshant - October 29, 2010
When you're Jason Heyward standing next to a mere mortal
there is also a great difference.
Creek Johnson - October 29, 2010
and the guy who is next to the 5'11' guy is 5'10"
it´s a great difference
joshant - October 29, 2010
Nate McLouth is just really far behind him.
FineHamAbounds - November 1, 2010
I posted a poll
Here http://www.talkingchop.com/2010/10/29/1782130/report-atlanta-braves-hire-larry-parrish-as-hitting-coach. I actually got my post up before Ben did thus I wouldn’t have bothered. But vote if you have a say, I’m interested to hearing the reaction of others.
WNWDOTCOM - October 29, 2010
Kinda wish we got Bonds.
king of games - October 29, 2010
Can’t imagine that working out well, even though his skills are incredible.
BenDuronio - October 29, 2010
Bonds?
as in Barry?
MBL1 - October 29, 2010 via mobile
Who is Barry?
the only Bonds i know is James.
I don´t know if James is a good hitting coach
joshant - October 29, 2010
James Bond is always hitting on some babe
while he’s saving the planet. He’d be perfect.
adc62 - October 30, 2010
Steroids or not the guy could flat out hit AND get on base. Plus I’d love to watch every time Heyward came to the plate waving that tiny little bat.
king of games - October 29, 2010
He was also the 2nd biggest douchebag in the history of baseball...
So he has that going for him too.
Scott Coleman - October 29, 2010 via mobile
You rank him behind Victorino too?
king of games - October 29, 2010
+1
Haha
HansonManCrush - October 29, 2010 via mobile
I too hate Victorino
because of that stupid helmet…. And he’s a douche, too!? Tell me more!
MartinMcFly - October 29, 2010
Charlie Hustle #1?
bigcdiddy16 - October 29, 2010
Mister Cobb.
fandave - October 29, 2010
“I had to fight all my life to survive. They were all against me. Tried every dirty trick to cut me down, but I beat the bastards and left them in the ditch.”
“When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch.”
“That god damned Dutchman [Honus Wagner] is the only man in the game I can’t scare.”
“I think the Negro has the right to compete in sports in every section of the country as long as his deportment is genteel and unchallengeable.”
fandave - October 29, 2010
and?
MikeTrain - October 29, 2010
he was a complete wild man. study up on the subject if you’re interested.
fandave - October 29, 2010
Ever read the Al Stump biography?
The one he published in the early 90’s with all the horror stories from writing the glazed-over 1960 one with Cobb. It is one of the best baseball reads I have ever come across.
The Keith Lockhart Era - October 29, 2010
No, I haven’t, but there is no more notoriously ill-tempered, hateful, bitter, hard ass in the history of sports.
fandave - October 29, 2010
And that book basically reinforced that notion
Fascinating baseball personality to say the least. Love or hate the fellow it’s a phenomenal read.
The Keith Lockhart Era - October 29, 2010
That book
And Stump himself, are major, major sources of controversy these days. There is compelling evidence that Stump made a considerable part of what he wrote up out of the whole cloth.
Sam Jethroe - October 29, 2010
Yep, linked to the article below
Any interested should really read this amazing historical article about the whole thing
nixa37 - October 29, 2010
Thank you for posting that link
Just started reading, already well worth it.
The Keith Lockhart Era - November 7, 2010
I liked the book when I read it, but the whole thing was BS
In reality Stump spent a few days on and off with Cobb over 11 months (probably 2-3 weeks total) ending 3 months before his death. The people who actually spent time with him the last 3 months of his life (mainly doctors and nurses), spoke very highly of him as a kind man, not the raving, lunatic, drunk that Stump portrays. Stump also fraudulently sold all sorts of Ty Cobb “memorabilia” that he bought at flea markets, along with Cobb “autographed” baseballs he signed himself. He made up the story of Cobb’s father’s head being blown off by a shotgun (he was actually shot with a pistol), that baseball players refused to attend his funeral (his family asked that it be kept private, but hundreds of players sent their condolences), and that Cobb killed a man.
For more information check out the amazing article written by William Cobb (no relation) from this year’s annual SABR publication here.
nixa37 - October 29, 2010
Best quote about Cobb I've ever heard
First of all, I must apologize as I am working from memory here so this story is probably not quite right in a few places, but it’s still worth repeating. I searched on Google and couldn’t find the source for this and I don’t remember what it was. But anyway…
Sometime around the mid 1950s a sportswriter was talking with some position player after a game. The conversation went something like this.
Writer: So what do you think Ty Cobb would hit if he played today?
Player: I don’t know. Probably around .298 I guess.
Writer: Really? I can’t believe it! You think Ty Cobb would only hit about .298 if he played today?
Player: Well yeah, but he’s about 68 years old!
Zontar - October 30, 2010
There was a variation of that
In the Tommy Lee Jones movie from 1994, I have no idea whether it’s true or not. Either way, one of my favorite quotes.
The Keith Lockhart Era - November 7, 2010
Read about Cobb's first few seasons with the Tigers
That first quote will start to make a whole lot more sense. He basically took the job of a well-liked veteran as a 19 year-old and the guy made sure everyone hazed the shit out of him. By the age of 20 he was the star of the team, and not surprisingly most of the other players were jealous.
nixa37 - October 29, 2010
Curious as to who you rank #1 if Bonds is #2...
Clemens?
The Keith Lockhart Era - October 29, 2010
i wouldn’t want him talking to heyward…bonds rubbing off on heyward would not be a good thing in my mind…
forgotten_glory - October 29, 2010
I agree. The team’s injectible skills really went downhill after the ASB. Barry Bonds would up the rage quotient considerably.
UMDBHIK - October 29, 2010
Imagine if Heyward were on steroids. He would never get a hit as the baseballs would disintegrate on contact.
king of games - October 29, 2010
+1
MikeTrain - October 29, 2010
Since I’m pretty sure all those balls would be ruled “foul,” he could just keep doing that until all the opposing team’s pitchers were too tired to continue, and the Braves would win every game by forfeit.
Jacob Peterson - October 29, 2010
Can you imagine all the baseball-dust around the plate
Maybe Bill Hohn will get the Black Lung.
The Keith Lockhart Era - October 29, 2010
Ex-managers
Gotta give Fredi some credit. Not too many guys in his shoes would include not one but two former MLB managers on his staff.
Assuming they all get along, this will be a very experienced managerial staff.
Yakker - October 29, 2010
+1
BravePhin - October 31, 2010
Knowledge of the fundamentals and execution of fundamentals are two different things.
I’m not too worried about his career batting average or OBP. Pick any sport, there are always great coaches who were underwhelming as players. Welcome to the club, Parrish!
Creek Johnson - October 29, 2010
BTW.
WTF is doing Mclouth, standing next to Heyward.
He didn´t learn the lesson?
joshant - October 29, 2010
When I saw "Braves Hire Larry..."
I thought Larry Jones. Sadface.
king of games - October 29, 2010
you may be sad
but this is a great hire, honestly.
apoxonbothyourhouses - October 29, 2010
Not going to affect the team's offensive production in any way.
It just doesn’t work like that. But since it doesn’t matter, why not?
SS451 - October 29, 2010
Hitting coaches make no difference on a team?
Riiiiiight…..
justincredubil02 - October 29, 2010
some people just don't get it
hitting coaches can make a WORLD of difference.
did you ever perform better in a class with a great teacher? if so, then you know that teaching matters. this guy knows how to teach hitting.
apoxonbothyourhouses - October 29, 2010
+1
Just like how Daniel Son needed Mr. Miagi or there is no chance he’s as good as he was!
-Primetime21- - October 29, 2010 via mobile
To be fair, these aren’t children playing at the Majors. They’re professionals who had to prove they could play at the highest level. They know how to hit already.
Now, in the Minors, I’d say all of the coaches play an even bigger role in the player’s development and therefore have a greater effect on future performance when or if the player reaches the Majors. You could take it back further and say even High School or College coaches or even parents (ie: Chipper and McCann) greatly influence a player’s hitting ability.
That being said, I’d much rather have a good/great hitting coach because it does matter. When teams can miss out on making the playoffs by 1 or 2 games, I want every possible advantage and that includes your coaching staff.
award6 - October 29, 2010
i think the hitting coach plays a different but not negligible role in the majors
they arent teaching poeple how to hit, but they are certainly who the players talk to about their swing when things are getting tough or whatever. He figures out how his players are being pitched and comes up with the practices to help them adjust to that. They dont teach fundamentals they are there to help the guy make adjustments nad that is very important
willlinn - October 29, 2010
exactly right
alxn - October 30, 2010
Easily one of the most ignorant things ever posted on this blog.
cbwilk - October 30, 2010
I'll bet you think managers change teams' records by more than 2 or 3 games a season, too.
Cute.
SS451 - October 30, 2010
I would say it's more.
So I must be adorable.
Doghnut - October 30, 2010
nah
you’re just wrong
kbertling353 - November 1, 2010
The Orioles don't agree.
They were 34-23 with Buck Showalter as manager after going 32-73 before he got there.
Doghnut - November 1, 2010
But wait, you’re using logic. That’s no fair.
cbwilk - November 2, 2010
seriously?
with a name like “SS”, i can see where you’re slightly confused with things…
but you’re telling us that the manager and coaches have NO bearing at all on the performance on-the-field?
now THAT’S cutely ridiculous.
apoxonbothyourhouses - October 30, 2010
Basically none.
Obviously, they have a huge potential for impact. If a manager batted his pitchers leadoff, he might cost his team 3 or 4 extra wins a year. But given that every manager does almost literally everything alike, and given that the hitting coaches are working with fully-formed major league players, the potential is never realized, and the quality of players is basically all that matters.
SS451 - October 30, 2010
Fully-formed Major Leaguers. That’s just silly. You have no clue what you’re talking about.
cbwilk - October 30, 2010
what the #$%?
is a fully formed major leaguer?
you’re saying that once a player gets the show that they’re done improving or learning? you’re saying that they are finished products and by no means can be taught by good coaches and managers to IMPROVE?
apoxonbothyourhouses - October 31, 2010
Right. Managers and coaches have absolutely no effect on the game. That’s just dumb.
cbwilk - October 30, 2010
Oh boy.
Scott Coleman - October 30, 2010
This Frank Wren guy and his selections no one sees coming
Since he has been here Frank has only made ONE call that people could predict and that was Fredi. Who predicted:
Kawakami
Vazquez
McLouth
Troy Glaus
Wagner
Saito
Alex Gonzalez
Derrick Lee
Farnsworth and Ankiel
Now this guy!
At this rate we will have JD Drew or some other person no one is thinking of in LF next year.
BTW I’m not complaining just pointing out how FW is pretty unpredictable.
drumzalicious - October 29, 2010
You know...
Drew wouldn’t be a bad idea for LF. I wouldn’t mind if Wren jumped on that, provided we don’t pay his whole salary. Just sayin’.
Jacob Peterson - October 29, 2010
If Werth/Crawford goes to Beantown??
Perhaps pry him away for another one-year useful part, with them picking up salary…Infante??
He could fill Bill Hall’s role in their lineup at a cheaper rate, they could afford to get rid of Drew and pay some of his salary because of their OF depth and cheap Hall replacement option. They’re stocked at OF and could pursue Werth or Crawford.
We sacrifice our super-utility guy but get a legit OF bat in the process??
I know he’s 35 and coming off a substandard year for his career, but it’s a subsidized 1-year contract that helps the team in the biggest area of need. The only real problem is that he’s left handed, but he’s still a bat. Pretty respectable OPS against LHP. Find a righty CFer and it’s 4/3/1, L/R/S-hitting starting lineup. That’s perfectly fine, as long as Chipper’s there to anchor the middle of the order.
Complete balderdash?? I dunno, maybe this makes no sense at all. But I see the potential for mutual benefit here…
-C
cthabeerman - October 29, 2010
If they were FA today...
They’d both be Type B. So that’s an even switch in that regard when you account for both being FA next season.
Some might be asking about what we do for the following year, and that’s a good question. An even better question is whether there’s anyone out there this season that would warrant multi-year consideration that isn’t going to be too expensive. If there’s not, do we have any better options??
-C
cthabeerman - October 29, 2010
if Werth/Crawford go to Beantown
we BETTER be going after Ellsbury to play CF.
then we can sign a RH platoon partner for Nate in LF (Pat the Bat?)
apoxonbothyourhouses - October 30, 2010
I believe he would cost more than he is worth
drumzalicious - October 30, 2010
If Crawford/Werth goes to Boston...
…it will be Cameron who is available on the cheap.
cavebird - October 31, 2010
and I'd hope we get in on that...
one more OF might be nice, but I’d take…
Prado
Heyward
Chipper
McCann
Cameron
Freeman
Gonzalez
McLouth
Mr. Sanchez - October 31, 2010
I wouldn’t mind it either. Of course we still would be out of a RH bat but at the same time I think it would be ok.
Prado
Drew
Chip
Heyward
McCann
Gonzo
McLouth
Freeman
not that bad
drumzalicious - October 30, 2010
Wren’s pretty out of the box, I definitely agree.
Your list might also the recent pickups out of the indy leagues.
However, don’t you think Fredi gets the final, deciding vote on his coaching staff?
fandave - October 29, 2010
I didn’t call it, but I was definitely stumping for the team to acquire McLouth…
course in hindsight
I remember talking with my buddies about the Troy Glaus acquisition when it first happened…it was like, “I can’t believe the Braves actually got Troy Glaus. Troy fuckin’ Glaus! The Braves got former WS MVP Troy Glaus. Wtf”
award6 - October 29, 2010
i was stoked to
for McLouth and Glaus. If his knees had held up he would have clearly been right at the 30HR/100RBI mark
drumzalicious - October 30, 2010
Kind of makes me excited to see what he does in the off season. Could be anything.
McCann and McWill - October 29, 2010
I like that
Means he’s not afraid to try interesting things to fill spots and be competitive. I also like never being able to guess his moves. It has to help in the industry for everyone to know that you never can be quite sure what that crazy Wren will do.
Pavy848 - October 30, 2010
larry says, "thanks, frank"
[pats wren on the butt]
lol. seriously, though, that is one creepy face.
Bravely going forward - October 29, 2010
Yes, Yes it is.
The Keith Lockhart Era - October 29, 2010
Pictures like make me wish we were more like AA in terms of MS paint.
Doghnut - October 30, 2010
The offense next year will improve
by exactly the amount that the quality of the players improves, give or take the amount that the individual players’ performances fluctuate.
In other words, TP or LP, it almost certainly doesn’t make much difference. 95% of MLB hitting coaches are basically the same. They do the best they can with the available players. Barring any huge personality conflicts or idiosyncratic instruction (which is very rare in MLB), it’s mostly a wash when teams change HCs.
As long as Parrish is a hard worker, a good communicator, and gets along well with the important players, he’ll be a perfectly decent hire. I wouldn’t get my hopes up that this guy will single-handedly turn around the offense, though.
Jacob Peterson - October 29, 2010
+1
This is exactly how I feel.
Doghnut - October 30, 2010
UGHH
dumb MLB is gonna debut Justin Bieber’s new music video during game 3….Yuck
MBL1 - October 29, 2010 via mobile
EPIC FAIL
J-Freak - October 29, 2010
wow terrible
willlinn - October 29, 2010
McCann and McWill - October 29, 2010
title plz
MikeTrain - October 30, 2010
WHYYYYYYYYYYY?????????!!!!!!!!!!!
TonyAlmeyda - October 30, 2010
From what I have been told a hitting coach is there more for support and comfort also gives the players someone to vent their problems to and sometimes that’s more important than teaching hitting to grown men who have been playing since they were four years old and are not going to change how they do things
Rob y - October 29, 2010
Andres Galarraga says "Hi"
So do George Brett and Dwight Evans.
Sam Jethroe - October 29, 2010
Imagine what...
…Rudy Jaramillo could do with the great young hitters on the Braves. Wren should have pushed for him before this season.
ledge2 - October 29, 2010
Yes he clearly made a huge difference for the Cubs this year
nixa37 - October 29, 2010
and who played on the Cubs this year?
outside of Lee and Castro and Soriano?
Soto had a great bounceback year and that’s Rudy.
apoxonbothyourhouses - October 30, 2010
Wait Rudy gets all the credit for Soto getting back to where he was in 2008?
And what about Lee, Ramirez, Byrd??? Didn’t see him helping them at all.
nixa37 - October 30, 2010
well
Lee was battling nagging injuries all year. Ramirez had hand injuries and then went nuts when he was healthy in the 2nd half. Byrd had a very good season.
you’re saying that Rudy had nothing to do with any of those?
apoxonbothyourhouses - October 30, 2010
I'm saying he's become overrated
I don’t think he’s so much better than everyone else that he deserves the 3 year, $2.4 million he got. He’s good, but he’s not some hitting god. He has some guys do better than usual and some guys that do worse. I certainly don’t think we missed out by not offering him more than the Cubs.
nixa37 - October 30, 2010
Hitting in the Major Leagues require ongoing adjustments. Why do you think so many players go through extended slumps and hot streaks throughout the course of a season. A good hitting coach that explains what adjustments to make and how to make them can make all the difference in the world.
dlkinser86 - October 30, 2010
I never said hitting coaches don't make any difference
I just don’t think Rudy Jaramillo is worth something like 20 times more guaranteed than other hitting coaches. Sure, he’s good, but he’s not that good. If he was the Cubs wouldn’t have finished below the NL average in runs scored per game.
nixa37 - October 30, 2010
true
and he did work with Frenchy…
…to no avail.
apoxonbothyourhouses - October 31, 2010
Love it. Larry Parrish is one of the nicest and most professional coaches I’ve met. I always looked forward to Toledo coming into town. He was fun to talk baseball with and was always very candid when talking about players. I like this a lot.
cbwilk - October 30, 2010
Pretty average hitter in his day. I guess that means he will encourage the hitters to be average.
temjin9876 - October 30, 2010
Because only great hitters make good hitting coaches.
Doghnut - October 30, 2010
Those who can't do, teach.
Pavy848 - October 30, 2010
spoken
like a true ass.
apoxonbothyourhouses - October 30, 2010
Nice. I wasn’t serious. It was a play off of the above. Forgive me at an obviously failed attempt at sarcasm.
Pavy848 - October 30, 2010
We have so much Drive By Stupidity
Around here that it sort of spoils the field for sarcasm. Irony only works when it doesn’t mimic things goofy people say in seriousness.
Sam Jethroe - October 31, 2010
really?
seems to me like i called you out on it and you’re back tracking. if you were TRYING to be sarcasm, you would have expressed it in the post. eye rolls work…including (sarcasm) into the post works.
however, you just said something stupid. i called you out. you back tracked. now let’s move on.
apoxonbothyourhouses - October 31, 2010
Listen
I’m not trying to get into some ridiculous argument over the details of this thing. I know what I meant, you believe you know what I meant. That my friend is fine, I’m not offended or upset in you disagreeing. I simply don’t like the way you did it, that’s all. There are many on here that disagree and can leave to name calling out of it. I’m just asking you to be less ridiculous with your retort. There wasn’t any reason that required you to say “spoken like a true ass.” simply over a random statement.
I apologize if I offended you in some unknown way (if your in the teaching field, etc.) but it was just intended to play off the earlier comment. My bad for not including “/sarcasm” to my statement, I’ll remember that for later or simply avoid it.
Pavy848 - October 31, 2010
now who is the ass?
Not all of us directly state when we’re sarcastic. In fact, I’d say most of us TCers dont.
Doghnut - October 31, 2010
Even though I knew the chances were slim to none, I was secretly hoping to see Andres Galarraga in the headline of our hitting coach hire.
From the read on AJC – it seems like Parrish convinced Wren he was the best candidate. Of the few they interviewed.
DOB Article about him HERE
NCChopper - October 30, 2010
Wonder if this might have pushed the hire...
But either way, getting Parrish seems to feel better than hiring Presley.
carpengui - October 30, 2010
(of course the Braves’ decision to hire Parrish might have forced the hand of the Orioles, too)
carpengui - October 30, 2010
Something to consider
For everyone who thought that Don Baylor was the end-all be-all batting coach.
Lifetime batting average of .260, 338 homers, OBP .342. Really, not all that different in the long run.
Matthew Jones - October 30, 2010
What does one thing have to do with the other?
Baylor has a proven track record as an instructor. He changed Galarraga’s stance when they were together in St. Louis in ‘92 and helped revive his career. He changed Chipper’s approach at the plate in 1999 and Chipper has always given him major credit for his MVP season.
Sam Jethroe - October 31, 2010
swinging at balls watching stricks go by
One of the most memmorable quotes from TP-“if you know this, then make my job easier” spoken to AJ when asked if could hit to the opposite field.
AJ responded with " I know I should do that". A good hitting coach does not ask his player for anything. his job is to instruct and teach when he see’s a flaw. If the player does not conform then it is the managers job to inspire or produce the desired effects needed by the player. If the player refuses and continues to decline or create a negative with in the club it is the FO job to replace him. Andrew refused to adapt and he was released. I have noticed a big trend on some of the not so herorlded players to swing at pitches outside of the strike zone and let pitches in the strike zone go by. Whenever I see a player over and over again swing at ball four with runners on base, I want to see someone with a wet towel slap the batting coach. I know there are occassions that the pitcher is responsible for this with a good pitch decision and or location, but there are so many more occassions that show the batter is looking for RBI oppertunities (selfishness) than team support. These types of production fall strictly on the batting coach. If he can influence the batters to conform to what is better for the club he is doing his job. The HC is not going to make a hitter better at hitting, but will make him better at doing the little things that are productive for the team.
rwh41360 - October 30, 2010
Maybe that's really the thing.
TP was moved away from the hitting coach post because Wren knew he might resign Andruw and he didn’t want to put TP in an insane asylum. Andruw drove him absolutely nuts.
cavebird - October 31, 2010
Andruw was NOT released by the Braves. The Braves told him that they would not be attempting to re-sign him and wished him the best in free agency. I’m pretty sure that his refusal to hit to the other field had little to nothing to do with the decision. It was all about the dollars. If I remember correctly, Boras was talking $20 million a season for something like 10 years while Andruw was finishing up his final season in Atlanta.
Anyway, telling all hitters to become opposite field hitters is bs. Barry Bonds and Ted Williams are proof of that.
Zontar - November 1, 2010
Would be nice
for Fredi to make every hitter work out with Chip this offseason
drumzalicious - October 30, 2010
Total upgrade
Terry P should have been totally relieved of any duty with the ATL Braves. Cannot believe they dumped Hubbard and are going to allow T. P. to be the 1st base coach. OF course Freddie G and Terry are best friends so that is why he was retained. Glad to see that Freddi had enough sense to know that Terry wasn’t a good hitting coach and the team clearly needed a new one.
I view this move as a good one and anyone is a true upgrade over Terry P. Just wish we could have brought back D. Baylor he was a great hitting coach his last stint with the Bravos.
Good luck in the offseason Freddi and Frank Wren your gonna need it.
Holty_Panthers_Fan - October 31, 2010
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Talking Chop to post a comment.