YESNetwork: Paciorek: Making a better A-Rod

Rodriguez is different. His stance begins balanced, low and stable. But as the pitcher releases the ball, Rodriguez starts an obtrusive attack with what I’m sure he thinks is a precise timing mechanism to generate a power surge. It isn’t and it doesn’t. What happens is that Rodriguez lifts his front foot high off the ground while he waits in suspended animation to detect the speed, direction and nuances of the pitch before he abruptly lunges forward and down to plant the foot so as to begin the swing. If the plant is too early, he’s out in front of the pitch and loses much of his power. If he is late with the plant, the fastball is by him.

...Perfection on a human level is most improbable. But when the margins of error are attenuated, the probability of success is proportionately increased. Taking an Aristotelian proposition into consideration, an astute batter should certainly acknowledge a primary, near-perfect facilitator of excellence to be a Bonds (as well as Ted Williams and Pujols) and proceed to copy his (their) mechanical proficiency.

Rodriguez isn’t and can’t be perfect. But he is great. And if he were to adopt more of the principles of those closest to perfection, and keep his front foot planted more firmly like Bonds and Pujols, he could be even better.

Reductio ad absurdum…for Aristotle never saw a slider.