PHOENIX -- Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez has used the words of the late Don Baylor and the help of his friend, Tigers star Miguel Cabrera, to regain his hitting stroke.
Since Sept. 1, Gonzalez -- struggling for much of the season -- has hit .480 with a .606 on-base percentage and 1.000 slugging percentage. Entering Monday, the surge included two home runs, seven doubles, seven RBIs and seven walks. It was the kind of carry-the-team hitting the Rockies have been waiting to see. And the timing of the surge was no coincidence.
Gonzalez unknowingly had fallen into an old habit, "wrapping his hands" -- or having his palms on the handle so that his fingers were turned inward.