Willians Astudillo Cold Weather Tips
Feb 12 2021 07:57 AM |
RandBalls Stu
in The Lighter Side
Image courtesy of © Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Hi! I’m Twins catcher Willians Astudillo. Growing up in Venezuela, I didn’t have to deal with the harsh winter months that Minnesotans do. Still, the time I’ve spent in America has given me ample experience. As this cold snap enters a second week, I’d like to share some of things I’ve discovered that help me handle whatever situations may arise. Hope they help you too! - Furnace on the fritz. A homeowner’s worst nightmare: Temps plummet, and instead of warm air pumping into your house, an ungodly noise rises from the basement. Waiting for a repair person can be a headache, and the cost can be prohibitive. My advice? Swing at the first pitch.
- Icy roads. Treacherous travel conditions are a constant threat for Minnesota drivers. Even a little bit of snow or wind can turn the highways into a hockey rink. Staying home is always the best option, but that’s not always possible. My advice? The pitcher is probably going to try and get ahead in the count and start with a strike. Swing at the first pitch.
- Exposed skin. When the wind chills get well below zero, any piece of skin you leave uncovered outdoors is in danger of frostbite. If you’ve got to be outside for an extended period of time, you need to take every precaution. My advice? Get on top of that first pitch.
- Outdoor recreation. Minnesota takes pride in getting out and enjoying the winter weather. Sledding, biking, snowmobiling, skating, skiing, heck, even just building a bonfire in your backyard for some smores and hot cocoa. It you’re not from here, it takes some getting used to, but I’ve found ways to adapt. My advice? Keep the pressure on. Swing at the first pitch.
- Your pets. Your dog needs to get out and do their business. Your cat is the king of your unheated garage. You need to keep an eye out for their safety. My advice? They might think you’re finally going to take a pitch. Wrong again. Swing at the first pitch.
- h2oface and Huskertwin like this
7 Comments
Grip it and rip it!!
We dont need Astudillo articles.
And if you're really serious at beating the cold, swing at the first pitch in the Caribbean Winter Leagues!
KFEY93
Today, 02:21 PM
We dont need Astudillo articles
I sense your frustration over this article. I get that. I too occasionally find an article I do not like/don’t agree with. It can be frustrating and upsetting. My advice to you: swing at the first pitch.
Also don’t click on the article or read it.
When you go shopping for a new winter coat and the pretty sales lady shows you a goose down parka, then a trendy insulate jacket, swing at the first pitch and buy the goose down parka. Then ask the pretty sales lady if she'd like to go sledding with you... maybe hit the sauna afterwords. What the hell, as long as you're swinging you might as well go for a homerun.
Dear Mr. Astudillo,
I am happy in retirement, and yet certain thoughts continue to nag at me. I studied all the sabrmetric writeups I could find, likewise I picked the brains of the best coaches I knew, and without exception the received wisdom was to work the count in one's favor and then feast on the predictable heater that the pitcher would have to come in with. Unless the pitcher is a complete newcomer, he will know not to challenge major league hitters with a fastball right down the middle on the very first pitch. Get a 2-0 or 3-1 count, and then pounce! Unfortunately, what I found was that even the veteran pitchers would usually throw a pitch with something on it, but nicking the strike zone just enough. And then they would do it again, with a different pitch but the same result. So, invariably, I found myself in a frustrating 0-2 hole, and though I would battle back and often get on base, there was always this undercurrent of worry that maybe I was a little too cautious, a little too passive. My day is past, of course, but for younger players still trying to sort things out for themselves, I ask you, Mr Astudillo: what is your advice?
- J. Mauer
Randballs Stu and Willians. People get bent outta shape. That is the definition of tone deaf.