James Rowson had faith at a time when so many others didn't. The Minnesota Twins hitting coach believed in Byron Buxton when the numbers said he shouldn’t.
"Over my dead body," Rowson told Twins general manager Thad Levine early last season, when Buxton wasn't hitting and the Twins were ready to send the struggling 23-year-old back to the minor leagues for what would have been the fourth time in three years.
Over my dead body you'll send him down, Rowson said then, and Buxton more than justified his faith. He had a great second half.