One-on-one with "Teacherman", the man who helped Aaron Judge become the player he is

Question #1: You played catcher in college. How does that experience help you when working with professional ball players today?

When in college I did not know what I know now about the swing. But thinking back on that experience, we faced a couple of hitters that were significantly better than the rest.  I couldn’t put my finger on what they were doing better than everyone else at that time, but I know now and wish I knew it then.

Question #2: Have you always been a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals? Do you still keep up with the team as a fan?

I grew up in a small town in Iowa. Our weekly TV game of the week was a Cubs broadcast, so I was aware of the Cubs/Cards rivalry. The games were always good TV. My extended family lived in Dayton, Ohio, and we went to a family reunion in Ohio every summer. I was a serious Cincinnati Reds fan. 

I graduated college with a degree in education and moved to StL in 1978 and became a Cards fan. I loved the Whitey Ball teams. Loved the McGwire and Pujols eras. I follow the Cards; daily results, but I watch every Yankee game. 

Question #3: What makes Barry Bonds' swing, something you use as a template today, such an effective approach for hitters?

Bonds' swing was (still is, in my opinion) the most efficient swing ever. Very quick. Very sudden. Very powerful. He could create tremendous rotary power from within a very small/tight space. He hit "from within a phone booth". He did not have a big forward move. By studying him I learned how he created a stretch of his body against his rear leg that snapped suddenly at launch.