The Enquirer
Over the Cincinnati Reds’ just-completed road trip, center fielder Billy Hamilton felt his confidence waver. It showed at the plate, where he hit just .174 and struck out eight times in five games. The outside pitch gave him particular trouble.
When he returned to Cincinnati and Great American Ball Park ahead of Monday’s series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Hamilton hit the cage with assistant hitting coach Tony Jaramillo. He wanted to close his stance more to prevent himself from flying open. It would help him cover the plate more.
Something clicked in that pregame session, and several hours later Hamilton put it into action.