Recent comments by Buxton

bighat · February 28, 2019

He didn't need to engage there. Period.

I always heard about how humble he was. That reaction months later stunned me. He needs to be more self-aware for his own sake.

I disagree. If anything Byron has been way too humble his entire career. I like seeing a little fire from him to be honest.

Riverbrian · February 28, 2019

I wanted the extra year of service time back.

I got what I wanted.

I'm not going to keep hammering him.

Certainly not for comments that lack the full context.

It's is still my understanding that baseball players are flesh and blood human beings like the rest of us.

DrNeau · February 28, 2019

I don't know. Maybe it's just me, but maybe it would be better if he did not sound off about how he's going to do things his own way at this point in his career.

You're absolutely right...its just you.

So it is better if a career .230 AVG / .672 OPS player comes out and says he didn't hit with a hitting coach and that's how it's going to stay? Basically saying he is going to run his own program entirely now. He is above instruction from his coaches?

By me simply pointing this out, I don't feel it should be looked at as an attack on Buxton. I actually like Buxton a ton. I just think he's sort of setting himself up by saying these things. If he struggles, it will blow up even more, since he says this is how it's going to stay (without working with hitting coaches). I love if a player shows fire. If he wants to toughen up, all the power to him. I think the whole organization can actually use that.

I understand the opinion that we want him to succeed by whatever means necessary. I just think there is some fallout that most definitely will occur when one player voices to the media that he is above what everyone else is expected to do.

vavo · February 28, 2019

When Buxton first came up and struggled he suddenly had several coaches and former players giving him tips on how he should tweak his swing. He respected these opinions and wanted to succeed so he tried to implement them. But he got to be the top prospect in baseball without all those voices in his ear.

He needs to trust himself, and trust the swing that feels right to him. His incredible talent and his own know-how will get him back to being a ~.260 hitter. From there the professional coaches can help him be a .280 hitter, but it's my opinion that the over-coaching he received early on in his MLB career did him no favors.

Otto von Ballpark · February 28, 2019

So it is better if a career .230 AVG / .672 OPS player comes out and says he didn't hit with a hitting coach and that's how it's going to stay? Basically saying he is going to run his own program entirely now. He is above instruction from his coaches?

I wouldn't read that much into it. It's not clear if a hitting coach was even offered to him early this past offseason, given the turnover and uncertainty on the Twins staff at the time. By the time Baldelli was hired and visited him, Buxton was probably quite comfortable with his own offseason program.

And the context of "that's how it's going to stay" could simply be that he doesn't want to tinker with his swing *right now*, which is completely understandable. The writer of the article certainly didn't imply that Buxton was swearing an eternal blood feud with Baldelli and Rowson, so I'm not sure why we'd isolate and interpret that one line as such.

Jham · February 28, 2019

http://twinsdaily.com/articles.html/_/minnesota-twins-news/minnesota-twins/from-the-handbook-building-on-buxton-r6238

"After splitting last season between toe tapping and leg kicking, Buxton proclaimed that he would be one hundred percent a leg kicker in 2017. This spring, with a newfound sense of clubhouse swagger, Buxton declared that the “leg kick is me now” and he is going to “stick with what I do.” In fact, one of his biggest influences, Torii Hunter, spent the offseason sending him encouraging text messages to stick with the leg kick."

Ain't nothing new.

Guy's been spun around by as many hitting instructors as sliders. Hunter is gone-ish. Molly and Bruno are gone. I don't think he's saying he won't take help or coaching. I think he's saying his success or failure will be his own. He obviously decided to ditch the leg kick. So it's not like he's totally against coaching.

Rigby · February 28, 2019

As John Lennon said... "Whatever gets you through the night... It's alright... It's alright".

Imagine there's no sliders.............

DrNeau · February 28, 2019

I don't claim that he was swearing an eternal blood feud with Baldelli and Rowson. He said he didn't hit with a hitting coach and that's how it's going to stay.

Doctor Wu · February 28, 2019

I absolutely love this new defiant, angry Buxton and I think all of you criticizing him are silly and condescending. I think his humbleness was a big part of his problem. It led him to constantly tinker with his swing based on whatever the last person he spoke with told him, and so we saw he had a new one every few weeks while he was flailing at he plate. He's now taking ownership and responsibility. Good for him.

I can see both sides of this issue. On one hand, it certainly is concerning to think that he now has the mindset that he doesn't need any coaching advice and is just going to wing it by himself. But I also agree with your take on this new defiant and confident Buxton. I like that fire and passion! Get fired up and start producing like we have hoped! Really, I think in the grand scheme of things, but this may be the best way forward for him.

Shaitan · February 28, 2019

Out of proportion and out of context. I read the article. All MLB player (of all ages) get constant advice from everyone. Just like you and I get advice from our co-workers. Some of it is good advice, some is bad. As you gain experience, you learn to filter it. That's what he said in this article.

In MLB, everybody think they are a hitting coach. Other players have said the same thing, using different words. I do have questions about why the author reported his quote as he did, using words like "nuttin'" instead of actual words, like "nothin'". To me, that's the unprofessional behavior here.

DrNeau · February 28, 2019

Out of proportion and out of context. I read the article. All MLB player (of all ages) get constant advice from everyone. Just like you and I get advice from our co-workers. Some of it is good advice, some is bad. As you gain experience, you learn to filter it. That's what he said in this article.

What's out of context are the things you just inserted into this discussion. None of which are in the article itself.

nicksaviking · February 28, 2019

I don't claim that he was swearing an eternal blood feud with Baldelli and Rowson. He said he didn't hit with a hitting coach and that's how it's going to stay.

I don't imagine many players hit with the hitting coach in December. Is Rowson expected to tour the country and the Caribbean all off season scheduling sessions with all the players?

DrNeau · February 28, 2019

I never said I expected that. He said he didn't hit with a hitting coach and that's the way it's going to stay. For me, it is the "that's the way it's going to stay" part of the statement that is off.

Parker Hageman · February 28, 2019

Let me just add this about Buxton's hitting coach quote:

I don't know the context of the question, but to me, it reads like "who did you work with this offseason?" Like several other winters, Buxton really didn't hit with anybody. He did communicate with Torii Hunter, sending him videos on occasion, but he really didn't do anything else with any instructors or coaches.

It could be bitter. I wouldn't blame him. He's been jerked around a lot by the coaching staff at all levels (with his best interest in mind, of course).

nicksaviking · February 28, 2019

I never said I expected that. He said he didn't hit with a hitting coach and that's the way it's going to stay. For me, it is the "that's the way it's going to stay" part of the statement that is off.

Or he meant, I've said my piece and I'm not going to talk about it anymore because I now realize I've probably said too much and regret saying anything at all, so "that's the way it's going to stay".

Either way, working with the team's hitting coach is probably not his call.

ashbury · February 28, 2019

The article that kicks off this discussion seems to be a distillation from an original article in The Athletic. It's behind a paywall, and I'm a cheapskate. Has anyone consulted it, to gain a bit more of the context? The snippet that is provided to us cheapskates indicates Baldelli is quoted - he seemed OK with it, but it was only a snippet.

One thing I'd want to confirm is that author Dan Hayes is providing all recent quotes, and not a mishmash of things said during the off-season and now in Ft Myers.

DrNeau · February 28, 2019

Or he meant, I've said my piece and I'm not going to talk about it anymore because I now realize I've probably said too much and regret saying anything at all, so "that's the way it's going to stay".

Either way, working with the team's hitting coach is probably not his call.

Or he meant what he said.

Otto von Ballpark · February 28, 2019

He said he didn't hit with a hitting coach and that's how it's going to stay.

Exactly. And depending on the context, there's nothing wrong with that. It's quite possible Buxton didn't need yet another hitting coach makeover this winter, and maybe "that's how it's going to stay" just means for the immediate future, i.e. this spring. Athletes aren't exactly known for choosing each one of their words carefully (not like us TD posters ). Without any further context to suggest otherwise, I'd say it's far more likely that's what he meant, rather than that he's swearing off coaching forever.

dougd · February 28, 2019

Dan Hayes' article in The Athletic has a quote from Rocco:

"“There’s something to just feeling good and going out on the field and having a good time,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “I don’t care if these are spring training games, what kind of games they are, he looks like he’s having fun from the time he comes in the dugout pregame until we slap him five and he goes back in. He’s obviously swung the bat really well and I think it’s a nice way to start the spring for him and he looks great.”

It has a quote from a National League scout: “Impressive,” said one National League scout. “Stronger and quicker to the ball. Really looks good physically.”

Jose Berrios says "I feel so happy and proud for him to watch so far what he’s doing this spring.”

Hayes notes: "To make his swing less complicated, Buxton has ditched the leg kick. He said Tuesday that he decided to make the change when he wasn’t promoted to the majors last September."

“Once I took the leg kick out, that put my thought process at ease,” Buxton said. “I wasn’t thinking about when I had to lower my leg, where I had to land, where my foot needed to be. All those things that goes into having that leg kick I eliminated to where it was very simple for me and all I do is step. Step and see the ball.”

Buxton is confident in the work he put in over the winter. He also feels like the more reps he gets, the more he will learn about his altered, simple approach.

Parker Hageman · February 28, 2019

Hayes notes: "To make his swing less complicated, Buxton has ditched the leg kick. He said Tuesday that he decided to make the change when he wasn’t promoted to the majors last September."

“Once I took the leg kick out, that put my thought process at ease,” Buxton said. “I wasn’t thinking about when I had to lower my leg, where I had to land, where my foot needed to be. All those things that goes into having that leg kick I eliminated to where it was very simple for me and all I do is step. Step and see the ball.”

Here's the weird thing about this narrative -- he ditched the leg kick pretty much in 2017. In 2018, he had no leg kick.

https://twitter.com/ParkerHageman/status/1100950644016508928

https://twitter.com/ParkerHageman/status/900063867895762944

He did attempt to resurrect the leg kick in his stint in the minors but eventually stopped using it there too.

Shaitan · February 28, 2019

What's out of context are the things you just inserted into this discussion. None of which are in the article itself.

2 paragraphs after your selected quote:

"Sometimes, you open yourself up to other people and kind of go that direction, but it seems like he’s very, very happy with the work he was able to get in this offseason, and as a staff we’re extremely happy as well from everything that we saw," manager Rocco Baldelli said.

Riverbrian · February 28, 2019

Or he meant what he said.

Or it’s a fixation on a single sentence from what is probably an incredibly complex series of thoughts, feelings and emotions that is impossible to condense into a single sentence.

Now he gets to perform and that will matter more than any words. The ball is in his court.

Go get em Byron. Become the player you were meant to be!!!

SwainZag · February 28, 2019

Far as I saw, Buxton was "Mollied" over the last three years.

Told to leg kick, no stride, just lift and down, "process, process, process".

I welcome this kid's aggression.

Bring it.

I'll compare his comments to ones about my golf swing. I have gotten so many tips from friends, pros and a coach or two. I finally just started hitting the range by myself and working on things a little at a time instead of trying to change everything so often, until I put it together to have a decent consistent swing. I'm sure I could use a few pointers, but I am swinging better than I ever had, just needed to work things out by myself for a bit.

I know we are at different levels but I am hoping this is the kinda thing he did. Got away from the manager, several hitting coaches and just went back to what made him such a highly regarded prospect in the 1st place. Then again....maybe I'm just an optimist.

TheLeviathan · February 28, 2019

Didn't Buxton credit Rowson for that one great surge we got from him?

Don Walcott · February 28, 2019

Didn't Buxton credit Rowson for that one great surge we got from him?

Maybe. . . back when he was still humble.

Doomtints · February 28, 2019

I don't know. Maybe it's just me, but maybe it would be better if he did not sound off about how he's going to do things his own way at this point in his career. He says that he is mentally more clear now than ever, but his quotes do not really align with that. And then we have Falvey coming out right after the hospital quotes and saying Buxton is starting. I don't see any other players coming out and saying some of these type of things. Is it because they know they are not golden boys? Need to tighten this up.

Personally I like it. Kirby Puckett was firm about what turned his hitting around -- ignoring the coaching, shutting out everybody else, and doing it the way he thought it needed to be done. No one can argue with his results.

When you look at the stars of the game, this is their approach. They do it their way.

Only good things can come from Buxton playing with a chip on his shoulder. It's how champions are made. I *love* what he is saying and I *love* his new approach.

RIP BYTO · February 28, 2019

Sometimes language is hard

ewen21 · February 28, 2019

Hard to judge without more context. The guy's been tinkered with by a number of hitting coaches the last few years. It's quite possible the reporter's questions alluded to that fact, or even just asked him who is responsible for his swing this spring, and Buxton proudly responded that he's working on it himself now.

How about judging the statements within the context of him alllegedly being a humble guy? Lot's has been said about this from when he was drafted thought his minor league tenure, but honestly never saw it. Seems more like he's a guy people worry about than anything. The first few years of his career has been all about trying to figure out ways to keep him from pressing too much. Make him feel more comfortable. The fact that his manager needed to make a point that he was coming to see him was incredible to me. Guys like Kepler, Rosario, Polanco (who was yo-yoed back and forth and out of options before you could blink) don't seem to need this level of care.

Plain and simple, a humble guy like Buxton shouldn't be making these kinds of comments if that is the type of image he wants to uphold. When he said, "I aiin't gonna sugarcoat nothin" what was he thinking?

Sorry, but this "we don't really know the context" stuff just doesn't wash with me. he decided to say this to the reporter::

""It’s my swing, my thought process, my thinking," Buxton said. "Everything with my swing now is me. I didn’t go to no hitting coach. I didn’t go work out with nobody. I worked out by myself, I hit by myself and that’s where it’s going to stay."

I noticed when Buxton gets a little emotional or perturbed he goes into this "ain't got no" double negative thing. I know people might say, "you're reading too much into it" but I don't think that is the case at all. I am being observant. I am interested in his progress. The part that was particularly vexing to me was the "I hit by myself and that's where it is going to stay"

No need for that. Whether he thinks so or not that is a dig on Rowson, a guy who has had his back in a big way. When he says that he is really saying he isn't interested in any coaching. How is it a guy who couldn't hit his weight in the majors last season and rallied over the course of one week to raise his AAA average to just over .270 can say that?

He really needs to calm down. He explicitly stated he was "pissed" about last September. Well....it's March tomorrow, due. Get over it and just hit.