Scott Coolbaugh talks about his role as a hitting coach with the Texas Rangers
Scott Coolbaugh witnessed history in the making in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series when the Texas Rangers beat the Detroit Tigers, 15 – 5. The Texas hitting coach was one of the highlights post game analysis as he was credited well for
the club’s first ever nine-run haul in the third inning. The Coach talked to the press on Sunday, October 16, reflecting on his role in the squad at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
The Rangers had a tough time filling in the gap left by a departing hitting coach, Clint Hurdle, in 2010. The club decided to bring in Thad Bosley at the start of the 2011 season. However the coach never got through to the players, which is why Coolbaugh,
a former hitting coach for Triple – A Round Rock came in to the side.
It is interesting to see a former home construction business man from Texas take the front seat of the World Series as the hitting coach for the Rangers. Nevertheless, there is one thing that the players credit Coolbaugh’s success to and that happens to
be communication. The Coach has been down to earth with everyone in the squad and he has a certain strategy in conducting his work.
"You got nine guys in a lineup and on any given day, one of these guys [is] going to be going cold," Coolbaugh said. "Once you get one guy on his feet, you also have another guy who needs help getting on his feet. That's why I like being a hitting coach.
You can't just sit back and watch things. You have to grind it out each day with each guy, talking to them about mechanics and how to make adjustments."
The Coach went on to say that he tries to instill a comfortable environment and fulfills any need that arises.
"I think they feel I have their best interests at heart and I'll do what I can to prepare them for a game."
Coolbaugh brings serenity to the Rangers and it will be the biggest thing desired when the club faces the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series.
Tags: