In Rudy they trust: the Rangers have a bond with hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, whose impact is clear: no opposing pitcher dare mess with Texas' lineup

Sporting News, The, August 30, 2004 by Evan Grant

At the All-Star Game last month, the best hitters in the American League gathered around the batting cage for a little hitting and a lot of talk about hitting. Alex Rodriguez, the league's reigning Most Valuable Player, was there. So was Ivan Rodriguez, a former A.L. MVP. Manny Ramirez and Vladimir Guerrero, candidates to win the award this year, were there, too.

The conversation soon turned to Rudy Jaramillo. Whenever hitters talk hitting these days, the name of Jaramillo, the plain-talking, results-getting hitting instructor of the Texas Rangers, comes up.

And what were they saying about Jaramillo?

They all were saying how much they'd like to work with him. One of them just might get the opportunity.

Jaramillo, who failed to reached the majors as a player and never hit better than .257 after rookie ball, may be baseball's most coveted free agent this winter. His contract with the Rangers, for whom he has served as hitting instructor the last 10 seasons, expires after the year. Unable to reach agreement on a contract, the sides have tabled talks until after the season.

The impasse worries the surprising Rangers. Perhaps it's no shock that an early-August slump pretty much coincided with the news that Jaramillo, whose hitters have won four MVP awards in the past eight seasons, would at least investigate other offers this offseason.

"He's had as great an effect on us doing well as any player here, if not greater," says shortstop Michael Young, who in four years under Jaramillo has gone from a questionable offensive presence to an All-Star and one of the league leaders in batting average. "Every batter who works with him owes him a debt of gratitude."

The Rangers are competing for a postseason berth after four last-place finishes not just because of their hitting coach, but because there is an abundance of talent starting to bloom.

Without the suffocating presence of A-Rod, the scrappy Rangers have taken on an us-against-the-world approach, encouraged by manager Buck Showalter. The infield of first baseman Mark Teixeira, second baseman Alfonso Soriano (acquired in the Rodriguez deal), Young and third baseman Hank Blalock--all under 30 and all superstars in the making--often outslugs the opposition. And a remarkably stout bullpen, which tops the A.L. in relief winning percentage (.722), usually makes the leads hold up.

Jaramillo, who will turn 54 next month, is the glue that holds the offense together.

"Rudy has been one of the biggest reasons for my development as a hitter," says Teixeira, the A.L. Player of the Month in July who hit for the cycle against Cleveland last week and is on pace for a 40-homer year in his second major league season. "I can't imagine going through a season without him."

Says Young: "He has genuine care about his players, and it's easy to recognize."

Those are not isolated comments. Talk to backup players such as catcher Rod Barajas, who with 13 home runs this season has surpassed his previous career total, and Gary Matthews, who is hitting about 25 points above his career average, and you hear the same thing.

Jaramillo inspires such reaction because of a never-ending work ethic, complete belief in his players' ability, adaptability and a method of teaching that is equal parts understanding hitting and understanding players.

"He doesn't have to say much, and I know exactly what he's talking about," says Matthews, whose father was a prominent major leaguer and currently is the Cubs' hitting coach. "My dad is the best motivator I've ever had, but sometimes we differ on mechanics and approach. Rudy keeps it very simple for me."

Jaramillo bases his instruction on five principles:

* See the ball. Pick up the ball from the pitcher's release point. This gives the hitter more time to recognize the pitch.

* Rhythm. Every swing is based on timing. Different hitters have different timing mechanisms, including a foot tap or a leg kick. Jaramillo doesn't care what the mechanism is, so long as a hitter is comfortable with one, trusts it and sticks with it.

* Separation. Get in a good hitting position by separating the front foot from the hands. They go in opposite directions.

* Stay square. Staying closed keeps the front shoulder and hips in so a hitter can see the ball a fraction of a second longer. It "backs the ball up." This allows the batter to use the entire field.

* Weight shift. Jaramillo stresses that the bottom half of the body is a huge factor in a consistent swing. As hitters separate and stay square, they must not be lunging toward the ball. Shifting weight at the proper time allows them to drive the ball.

"Really, the swing is just a transfer of energy from the feet to the hands using rhythm," Jaramillo says. "It's not like I invented the swing or am trying to reinvent it."

One additional principle makes it all work: trust. From the minute his hitters walk through the clubhouse door, Jaramillo shows complete confidence in their abilities, though he's not afraid to jump on them. He is willing to adapt his principles to their swing. They, in turn, learn to trust Jaramillo.