Gerald Perry to Be Cubs Hitting Coach

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

According to the SF Chronicle (Link)

 

According to several sources, A's hitting coach Gerald Perry is expected to join Lou Piniella's coaching staff in Chicago. Perry, 46, served as Piniella's hitting coach in Seattle for three seasons before performing the same job with Pittsburgh for three years and, for the past season, with the A's

 

I'd have preferred Chambliss, but does anyone know much about Perry and his philosophies. I guess it's good he's coming from Oakland, but other than that, what do we know about him?

[CubColtPacer]

A quick search resulted in this:

 

This seems to be a philosophy that Gerald Perry is encouraging:

 

 

Perry also is a big stickler on recognition of the strike zone. Nothing drives him crazier than seeing a hitter swing at something off the plate, even in batting practice.

 

On the first day of live batting practice, a veteran hitter moaned that Kris Benson had broken his bat.

 

"He didn't break your bat. You did," Perry said in a calm, but firm, admonition. "Why'd you swing at that pitch? It wasn't a strike."

 

Here's the source on that one:

 

http://pages.map.com/pinto/2003_03_09_BMarchive.html

 

And then there is this one:

 

There are always those who blame the A’s offensive philosophy of working the count, thinking that makes hitters less aggressive, but that’s a non-starter, too. “I tell hitters to be aggressive in a zone,” said hitting coach Gerald Perry when we talked. “I want them to go aggressively after a pitch in the zone early in the count, but if it’s not there, pull back, even if it’s a strike. There are times late in the game when, say, you’re trailing by three runs and you need baserunners where you’re happy to take a walk, but normally, we don’t go up there looking for a walk.”

 

The source on that: http://www.glenndickey.com/_gd.php?view_one=yes&which=385

 

That's about all I can find for now. That's a very interesting pair of quotes-I think it's a very positive thing that he wants hitters to be agressive only in small area, but to try not to hit a pitcher's strike, and to never swing at something outside the zone.

[LuvChicagoSports]

Well if it is an early indicator of what Sweet Lou wants to bring to the table offensivley I am all for that. Looks like a guy like Murton would be appreciated by the new staff rather than scolded like he is doing something wrong. Hopefully the previous quotes are something we can look forward to.

[JeffH]

A's last season:

 

.340 OBP. 7/14 in the AL.

 

They were 2nd in the AL in walks. 1st in non-intentional walks.

 

Their ISOD was 0.08, 2nd in the AL.

[goonys evil twin]

First reaction is quite positive.

[TheDude]

I think this is a very good move. Piniella knows this guy, trusts him, and he brings the right philosophy to the table.

 

This is the kind of the hitting coach that might turn around Ronny Cedeno, if Cedeno gets a bench spot this year, or has to start due to injury. He's also the type of guy Murton should thrive under.

[USSoccer]

I like the move. I also like than Von Joshua may get more time with Pie, Harvey, and some other prospects.

[Outshined_One]

Definitely a step in the right direction!

[UK1679666180]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_126900.html

[CubsInNC]

A quick search resulted in this:

 

This seems to be a philosophy that Gerald Perry is encouraging:

 

 

Perry also is a big stickler on recognition of the strike zone. Nothing drives him crazier than seeing a hitter swing at something off the plate, even in batting practice.

 

On the first day of live batting practice, a veteran hitter moaned that Kris Benson had broken his bat.

 

"He didn't break your bat. You did," Perry said in a calm, but firm, admonition. "Why'd you swing at that pitch? It wasn't a strike."

 

Here's the source on that one:

 

http://pages.map.com/pinto/2003_03_09_BMarchive.html

 

And then there is this one:

 

There are always those who blame the A’s offensive philosophy of working the count, thinking that makes hitters less aggressive, but that’s a non-starter, too. “I tell hitters to be aggressive in a zone,” said hitting coach Gerald Perry when we talked. “I want them to go aggressively after a pitch in the zone early in the count, but if it’s not there, pull back, even if it’s a strike. There are times late in the game when, say, you’re trailing by three runs and you need baserunners where you’re happy to take a walk, but normally, we don’t go up there looking for a walk.”

 

The source on that: http://www.glenndickey.com/_gd.php?view_one=yes&which=385

 

That's about all I can find for now. That's a very interesting pair of quotes-I think it's a very positive thing that he wants hitters to be agressive only in small area, but to try not to hit a pitcher's strike, and to never swing at something outside the zone.

 

From what Chris Walker said in the interview in Events, that's kinda my impression of the organizational (read: minor league) philosophy. I'm hopeful that he can make an impact, but I fear the same ol' thing.

[goonys evil twin]

I wonder what his relationship with Aramis was like when they were in Pittsburgh.

 

 

This guys sounds like somebody who could be a candidate for manager in a couple years.

[abuck1220]

welcome to the 2000's, jim hendry!

[MikeG]

Sounds like he's the right person for the job.

[b_wiggy_66]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_126900.html

 

Sounds like a winner to me

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The more I read on Perry, the more I like him. I think it's clear that Piniella's staff is going to be more prepared and hard-working than the previous regime.

[Balsa]

In 2000, Perry's first season in Seattle, the Mariners set a club record for walks. In 2001, when they won 116 games, the Mariners led the majors in on-base percentage and runs and topped the AL in batting.

Me gusta mucho!!!

 

Huzzah for Perry!!!!

[Chocolate Milk]

Sounds great. Swinging at pitches in the zone also means swinging at pitches that can be hit hard. Not only could this help with OBP but it could also help with SLG.

[goonys evil twin]

Sounds great. Swinging at pitches in the zone also means swinging at pitches that can be hit hard. Not only could this help with OBP but it could also help with SLG.

 

But it might increase strikeouts, which is the worst possible thing in the world. It would totally offset any increase in OPS, or runs scored for that matter.

[oldcubsfan]

Looks like the great Paul Sullivan gets scooped again by an out of town paper.

If this is true, that will be the second time in a couple of weeks. They should just fire him now, if it is true.

[woodchip2153]

Sounds great. Swinging at pitches in the zone also means swinging at pitches that can be hit hard. Not only could this help with OBP but it could also help with SLG.

 

But it might increase strikeouts, which is the worst possible thing in the world. It would totally offset any increase in OPS, or runs scored for that matter.

 

How is a strikeout any different than a week grounder to the second baseman?!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

oops, my bad my sarcasm detector was turned off.

[Banedon]

Sounds great. Swinging at pitches in the zone also means swinging at pitches that can be hit hard. Not only could this help with OBP but it could also help with SLG.

 

But it might increase strikeouts, which is the worst possible thing in the world. It would totally offset any increase in OPS, or runs scored for that matter.

 

How is a strikeout any different than a week grounder to the second baseman?!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

oops, my bad my sarcasm detector was turned off.

 

Oh man...you read a goony post without your sarcasm detector on? Always very dangerous... :P

[RichHillIsABeast]

Sounds great. Swinging at pitches in the zone also means swinging at pitches that can be hit hard. Not only could this help with OBP but it could also help with SLG.

 

But it might increase strikeouts, which is the worst possible thing in the world. It would totally offset any increase in OPS, or runs scored for that matter.

 

How would it increase strikeouts? You're much less likely to K on pitches in the zone than you are out of the zone, well, unless you're a freak like Vlad Guerrero.

[Allroy]

I didn't know much about this guy, but from what I read it sounds like a good hire. It will be interesting to see if we can undo all the damage that Baker's staff has done. Let the baseclogging begin!

[RichHillIsABeast]

Gerald Perry is in his first season as the A's hitting coach and his seventh season as a hitting coach at the Major League level. He spent three seasons with the Seattle Mariners from 2000-02 and was with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the last three seasons.

 

In his first season as the Pirates hitting coach in 2003, the team batting average improved 23 points from .244 and a last place finish in 2002 to a .267 mark and a third place ranking in the National League in 2003. In his first season as the Mariners hitting coach in 2000, the team set a club record in walks (775). In 2001, the Mariners led the Major Leagues in on-base percentage (.360) and runs scored (927), while pacing the American League with a .288 batting average. In his final season in 2002, Seattle ranked fourth among AL teams with a .275 batting average. During his three-year stay in Seattle, the Mariners led the Major Leagues in on-base percentage (.357) and walks (2,018) and topped the American League in batting (.278) and runs (2,648).

 

http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/coach_staff_bio.jsp?c_id=oak&coachorstaffid=120439

[Bull]

Looks like the great Paul Sullivan gets scooped again by an out of town paper.

If this is true, that will be the second time in a couple of weeks. They should just fire him now, if it is true.

 

Its somewhat acceptable since it is the SF paper, and he's coming from Oakland. The source is likely local.

 

Either way I hope its true.