There is a person named Thomas Bothwell. He was born in 1947, so he is 76 this year. He attended Amherst College in Massachusetts (literature major). His first job after graduation was at the Washington Post. He was initially an office assistant. He probably thinks he’s playing an apprentice reporter. His job was to deliver mail and newspapers, and to retrieve materials.
Afterwards he became a journalist. For 12 years he was a sports director. He covered baseball, basketball, golf, and tennis. Then, from 1984 he became a columnist. And he retired at the age of 73 (2020). The reason was a health problem due to corona pandemic. For over 50 years he has worked for the Washington Post. During that time he has been in the Hall of Fame in a number of communities.
There is a reason for the sudden introduction. early February. It’s time for baseball to wake up from hibernation. Stretching out, they set out on a long journey to the east and south. Fierce with new preparations. Beads of sweat are flowing, and dust is thick. Each camp is full of vitality and vivid hope.
At this time of year, an old article comes to mind. Reporter Boswell’s 2014 column. This is what I wrote after covering a spring camp. If reconstructed, this is the story.
He stayed for a few days in Florida. This is the Braves’ field training ground. It is a team with strong pitchers. They ran to their bullpen, their pride. There were three people during the session.
The big one in the middle is huge. It seems like a rough throw, but it shoots 95 miles (153 km) in a stretch. Boom~ Boom~. The bullpen roars. The catcher’s mitt is about to explode. Where is the only fast ball? The changing sphere is also amazing. It’s like hitting a wall and breaking it. The ball suddenly disappears. It’s Steve Avery’s fresh twenties.
But the pitcher next to him is strange. He’s small in stature, and he’s messy. He seems to have a hard time even throwing a ball. ‘What, he’s worse than a college pitcher.’ He gives the catcher an autograph once in a while. It is to tell what he throws. Even if he doesn’t have that, he’ll be able to catch it. Maybe he’s testing a few pitches. Is that a fastball? Or a slider? changeup? damn can’t tell the difference there and there
He doesn’t even throw much. Session ends early. Reporter Boswell asked him with a worried expression as he exited the bullpen. “Where is it not good? Are your arms okay?” Then, ‘Biribili’ squeaks and goes. It’s a unique laugh. “why. Condition is the best. It was a power pitch today.” The bright expression was Mad Dog (Greg Maddox) in his heyday. 온라인바카라
And the lecture to the bewildered reporter begins. Professor Ma’s famous physics ‘kinetics’.
“A car passes by in the distance. Let’s say there are no other cars. So can we know the speed? 55 miles or 65 miles. That’s hard to tell apart. Changes like curves or sliders? The rotation of the stitches makes batters notice. Even if the release point is slightly different, it is easy to find out.”
Class continues. “The best technique is to change the speed. It’s impossible to discern them with the human eye. just one person. Except for that fucking Tony Gwynn.” (Gwynne’s batting average against Maddox was .415, with zero strikeouts in 107 plate appearances.)
Now is the pitcher’s time. This is the case at this time, at the beginning of camp. It’s about our industry. And the club publicity part will be similar. Beasts have little to talk about. This is because there is nothing that can be expressed in numbers yet. Instead, pitchers are different. First of all, there are clear facts. It’s ball speed. These are data that will attract attention.
So are the main characters in the news. when the power is overflowing New faces are active. Performance for appeal is also necessary. So, light the ball on fire. 150km runs appear here and there. At each camp, a few people become a hot topic. It even challenges 100 miles (162 km).
Of course it’s nice Youngs are important. It is the hope and future of the league. But don’t forget. Nothing can be solved with power alone. Ultimately, it is direction and accuracy. A car without a steering wheel has nowhere to go. Strict lane. That’s important for stability.
slow but speedy. Inconspicuously, but diligently. Not shiny, but soft. That’s the February way that the peak masters choose.
