Comments on: Phillies looking at Matt Stairs or Mike Sweeney as assistant hitting coach

By: vanmorrissey

vanmorrissey — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 18:48:09 +0000

Sweeney has been outstanding as an analyst when on MLB network. Really solid. Can’t lose in either case.

By: lew24

lew24 — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 17:37:45 +0000

Matt Stairs? Oh…please no!

Signed,

Jonathan Broxton

By: natstowngreg

natstowngreg — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:51:28 +0000

There’s a story in here somewhere about the proliferation of coaches.

By: pauleee

pauleee — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:14:51 +0000

Where the hell is WhenMattStairsIsKing when you need him?

By: Francisco (FC)

Francisco (FC) — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:00:29 +0000

Also, Matt Stairs is smart enough to know that HIS job was to swing for the fences but other guys have different roles and thus require a different approach at the plate.

By: APBA Guy

APBA Guy — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:43:39 +0000

All really good choices, but if you can get a nickname like “Wonder Hamster” back in baseball, you take it. Good luck, Mr. Stairs.

By: bambam36

bambam36 — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:39:10 +0000

I had an opportunity to talk to Matt Stairs for about an hour at a softball tournament in March. He knows his stuff. He’s Raul Ibanez & Jauson Werth’s personal hitting instructor now & called the Nationals winning in March.

By: philsgamer

philsgamer — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:18:26 +0000

I see your point. I’m not saying he would be a bad hitting coach by any means. He seems like a very intelligent and introspective guy and would definitely be good for the mental aspect of hitting if nothing else.

By: mdpickles

mdpickles — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:16:45 +0000

Matt Stairs is a high school hockey coach, so he already knows how to relate knowledge as a coach. Plus, he hit one of the biggest homers in Phils history, so I’ll go with him.
Mike Sweeney is one of the most respected men in baseball and Jim Thome talks hitting as much as Charlie does. Can’t go wrong with either.

By: delawarephilliesfan

delawarephilliesfan — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:02:02 +0000

I agree, but remember, being a coach and being a hitter are two entirely different things. He may not have executed it perfectly – but his philospohy to 3-1 pitches is right on the mark, i.e. don’t swing at it unless it is a FAT pitch. Frankly, I thoguht of him often this year as the Phils took wild swings at 3-1 curves. Also, he is the best in the game at picking up on picthers tipping their pitches. I would love to have that in the dugout “Hey Ruf, come here. See what he just did on that 1-1 pitch? You see that again, get ready to swing”

By: pauleee

pauleee — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 14:57:38 +0000

So the road to Kingdom starts at assistant hitting coach. I did not know that.

By: philsgamer

philsgamer — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 14:53:33 +0000

I don’t know man. Matt Stairs was a swing for the fences kind of guy. That’s the kind of mentality that has the Phils’ core hitters maintaining low averages year after year. I’d like a change in philosophy in regards to hitting for the young(er) hitters.

By: Francisco (FC)

Francisco (FC) — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 14:40:45 +0000

Well, at the very least Ninjr can say he’s putting some pieces in place to address the hitting from the regular roster guys. “I’m giving you not one hitting coach but TWO, now HIT dagnabbit!”

By: delawarephilliesfan

delawarephilliesfan — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 14:21:35 +0000

Matt Stairs, Matt Stairs, Matt Stairs!!!

Any of those three names thrown out would be great, but Stairs REALLY knows the art of hitting, and would be a phenomenal coach. And such fond memories to boot……