Hitting Secrets of the Pros

the long version

Get inside the minds of baseball's best, past and present, for a behind-the-scenes look at how hitters think--and what they do to stay great at the plate."The secret of hitting is physical relaxation, mental concentration--and don't hit the fly ball to center."--Stan MusialHitting, according to the immortal Ted Williams, is a science. But few would call it an exact science, and many would say it's an art. Indeed, each player's swing is his own unique creation. Whether it's Ty Cobb's unconventional grip or Stan Musial's peek-a-boo batting stance, Tony Batista's open stance or Ichiro Suzuki's versatile approach at the plate, the art of hitting is hard to master--and those who do it well wisely guard their secrets of success. Until now.In Hitting Secrets of the Pros, longtime baseball writer Wayne Stewart takes you beyond the basics and into the creative minds of the artists themselves, including Nomar Garciaparra, Reggie Jackson, Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr., Cal Ripken Jr., Tony Gwynn, and many more. Through exclusive interviews, humorous anecdotes, and historical research, this unusual how-to book will provide you with keen insight and one-on-one instruction as big-leaguers reveal their secrets on:Styles and stances Preparations and routines Attitudes and adjustments Making the most out of practice The latest enhancement technologies The best batting equipment And everything else you need to gain a competitive edge at the plate.