Relief for Relief Pitching NOW!

by hellfreezesoverwaittillnextyear on May 26, 2007 10:41 AM CDT Comment 22 comments

Remember the old Alka Seltzer commercial (well some of you may not): "Relief is just a swallow away!", is what their caricature "Speedy Alka Seltzer" would pitch. Well, this is exactly what the Cubs need right now!

No, Speedy can't pitch; but Cubs management/Jim Hendry, needs to get back down to the Tampa area pronto, and visit with Dr. Mike Marshall and one of his protégés, Jeff Sparks.

A Yahoo sports article (May 10, 2007) by Jeff Passan, exquisitely laid out the ironic scenario about Jim's trip to Tampa, where he received a handwritten note from another young Marshall pitcher, former Mets minor league pitcher, and Cubs fan from Alsip, IL & St. Xavier University, Joe Williams, who recommended that Jim contact Dr. Mike Marshall, who could help straighten out the "relief pitching mess" (my words not Joe's).

I have chosen not to post here in a while, as I have been busy pursuing a new business during my retirement - analysis and training involving pitching efficiency.

I was visiting Dr. Mike Marshall's Second Pitching clinic that took place in Zephyrhills, FL recently - May 12 & 13. I talked at length with Dr. Marshall, the young pitchers whom he is training, two of their fathers, other clinic participants, and the person that Dr. Marshall still cites as one of the best pitchers in the world, Mr. Jeff Sparks!

Jeff came out on Sunday morning for his bullpen session, after having worked at Lowe's in his night security job until around 1 or 2 AM the night before, and after having fought the flu all week long. Jeff is now attending Florida's firefighter's college to begin a new career.

I could go on forever about Jeff's current outstanding pitching effectiveness, and efficiency, at age 36, but suffice it to say, HE STILL CAN PITCH EFFECTIVELY, and probably better than ANY of the current Cubs relievers! Plus he KNOWS the strategic approach and sequences of pitching effectively to different hitters!
AND HE IS AVAILABLE, AND STILL WANTS TO PITCH IN MLB!

So, the $64 million dollar questions, `Why didn't Jim Hendry go after him on his recent trip to Tampa?', or 'Has Jim Hendry gone after him and/or Dr. Marshall as his pitching coach/systems instructor/advisor?'

Dr. Marshall has guaranteed that he could have turned around Kerry Wood and Mark Prior's pitching problems. I absolutely believe this after attending his clinic and witnessing firsthand Dr. Marshall's scientific approach to pitching, plus his positive approach to supporting pitchers.

Thank God that the Cubs will soon have new ownership! If Jim Hendry and current management does not/cannot recognize the core problems that they have with their current approach to pitching/training, then perhaps new owners/management will be more insightful, and at least investigate the highly superior scientific approach that Dr. Marshall can provide.

John McDonough stated that 'THE CUBS WILL WIN THE WORLD SERIES NOW!' Well it's getting late, if NOW means this season!

Dr. Marshall is now 64 years old, and would love to have the rich resources of a MLB organization to really demonstrate the applied superiority of his injurious pain-free, and effective scientific approach to pitching. He might even be available this summer if someone in MLB would visit with him, and just see how truly knowledgeable, and effective his coaching and training is!

'Waiting IS the hardest part! But Waiting without effective action and plans is much worse, and this has been the tragic legacy of the Cubs!

Mr. McDonough, Mr. Hendry:

Isn't 100 years long enough? Don't you really mean what you say when you talk about the Cubs fans as being the greatest, most loyal, and most deserving of a championship?

Well why not give Dr. Marshall a call? I'll even pay for it! Please end this century long nightmare!

What do the Cubs have to lose, besides more hellish games like last night, as well as another century of futility and frustrated, yet loyal fans!?

Relief is just, a CLICK away! : http://www.drmikemarshall.com/

Poll

Should Jim Hendry and Cubs management immediately contact Dr. Mike Marshall to relieve the Cubs relief mess?

No

6 votes

Yes

13 votes

19 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

0 recs | Comment 22 comments

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Comments

Bob Howry

is done. End of story.

Faith Plus One - Contributing Editor -http://www.inaleagueofherown.com

by Faith plus 1 on May 26, 2007 10:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Let's ignore the fact...

...that Marshall strikes most folks (myself included) as borderline batshit crazy, because I'll conceed that this may not even be relevant. Marshall's stuff may actually work.

Marshall's training program is nine months long, so it's not exactly going to help turn around any of the pitchers the Cubs have currently. So what you're offering is... Sparks. Sparks can't figure out why no major league team will sign him. Well, I'm sorry, but he throws 83 mph. Most major league teams won't sign you with a fastball like that unless you're Greg Maddux. Maybe it ain't right, but it's just about true.

by cwyers on May 26, 2007 11:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed on all counts.

If you don't know who Jeff Sparks is -- and I didn't, at first I thought he meant Steve Sparks, who was a knuckleballer who had a bit of success; here's his career record, 23 games for Tampa Bay in 1999 and 2000. There's got to be a reason he's been out of the major leagues for seven years.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on May 26, 2007 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And here...

...are Sparks' indie-league stats. Nothing like getting lit up by the Atlantic and Mexican leagues to scream, "major league reliever!"

by cwyers on May 26, 2007 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Galileo was also imprisoned

and persecuted by the Catholic Church authorities for promoting his scientifically-based heliocentric theory of our solar system! A situation repeated throughout the course of human history, because the powers of the status quo perceive loss of power, wealth, control, and prestige!

Read, ask intelligent questions, do the research, and gain enlightenment before casually dismissing a scientist's data and premise! "Kook" is what the majority of MLB pitching coaches should deservedly be labeled for causing serious, frequent, widespread, and financially and personally costly pitching injuries by promoting methods and training that have zero science-based data for verification!

When will Larry R. or any MLB pitching coach take genuine responsibility for the injuries and ruined careers that they have caused?

BTW, Dr. Marshall has recommendations for MLB pitchers to use right now, without requiring his total 9 months program. It's just tragic that no one in MLB is astute enough to explore this goldmine of an opportunity right now! Again, Someday...

SOMEDAY… If they won a world championship, sure, we'd be proud. But we couldn't love them any more than we already do –anon. Cub fan

by hellfreezesoverwaittillnextyear on May 26, 2007 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hendry's too much.......

of a dunce to try anything new.

RAMIREZ!! PRIOR!!

by PriorandAramisfan23 on May 26, 2007 11:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I had mentioned this a few months ago...

Dr. Mike is a bit eccentric, but watching the clips of Jeff Sparks on his web site caught my attention, after first hearing an interview he did in March or April on espn1000am on Tommy Waddell's morning show.

Apparently Marshall has been black-balled from mlb by the powers that be. Why? Your guess.

I would not hesitate to send either of my sons to his training center. What he says works. And that's the bottom line. Nothing else matters.

Hendry would never contact this guy in a million years. Big Jim has got it all figured out. Hell, he did take Creighton to the college worls series didn't he?

On a side note, Larry Rothschild needs to be the sacrificial lamb in this horrendous episode and be shown the door.
Arguing wether he deserves it is pointless. Again, allow me to show you the bottom line,....his pitchers can not get the job done.

You can't fire the players,...as much as we'd liek to.

Meatloaf

I never know what she's doing back there.

by MaTheMeatloaf on May 26, 2007 2:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It's not just Hendry.

No major league GM will talk to Marshall. Why? I have no idea. But it's not just Hendry.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on May 26, 2007 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dr. Marshall's scientific research-based approach

to pitching and baseball stands diametrically-opposed to the "good old boys'" traditional (read Non-scientific, just keep doing what we've done despite frequent significant widespread major pitchers' injuries way of training and coaching) "methods." Dr. Marshall's approach takes responsibility for his training/coaching outcomes vs. looking at Tom House's distancing himself approach from Mark Prior now. MLB mostly operates in an anti-scientific mode, much like public education.

Here's Jeff Passan's May 10th article link:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-marshall051007&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Dr. Marshall needs to be listened to seriously by someone in MLB who is enlightened, progressive, and genuinely interested in promoting effective pitching without significant injuries caused by training methods. Dr. Marshall will eventually be recognized as the leading pioneer, and promoter of scientifically-based pitching methodology and applications.

Just too sad that a team like our Cubbies continues to flounder, when a genuine solution is there for the asking!

SOMEDAY… If they won a world championship, sure, we'd be proud. But we couldn't love them any more than we already do –anon. Cub fan

by hellfreezesoverwaittillnextyear on May 26, 2007 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have read about Marshall's methods before.

I'm not saying there isn't something to them -- there very likely is.

It's his attitude -- that NO ONE knows anything about pitching BUT him -- that turns people off.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on May 26, 2007 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Attitude or latitude?

The history of the development of all sciences demonstrates how slowly, tediously that real progress evolves. Be it medicine, education, or baseball.

Dr. Mike Marshall certainly has an "attitude." He promotes and lives in an environment of respect for the scientific method, scientific principles, laws, and genuine data-based decision-making.

What person on earth would not develop an "attitude" when the people in power act out of "dark ages" ignorance when they come face-to-face with real science-based methods. The baseball powers that be act like Dr. Marshall has an "attitude", when in reality it is they who have an "attitude of absolute ignorance!"

Truth will win out. Someone, somewhere in baseball who is in or has influence with chief decision-makers will contact Dr. Marshall; sooner hopefully than later.

'When you build a better mouse trap, the world will beat a path to your door.' Unless a conspiracy of ignorance rules the universe.

Remember Dr. Demmings who warned the Detroit auto industry in the late 40's. He also had an "attitude" according to Ford, GM, Chrysler, Dodge, etc. But the fledgling Japanese auto industry invited him, embraced his theories, and you know the rest of the story.

Perhaps history will soon repeat itself. Too bad we haven't heard of any prospective Japanese buyers for the Cubbies!

SOMEDAY… If they won a world championship, sure, we'd be proud. But we couldn't love them any more than we already do –anon. Cub fan

by hellfreezesoverwaittillnextyear on May 26, 2007 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand what you're saying.

The problem is, that baseball people are so hidebound by tradition that when someone comes along with ideas as radical as Marshall's, it would seem incumbent on the person coming up with the new idea to try to be as nice as possible to try to win over the "powers that be".

Marshall can't do that because of the sort of person he is, and so his ideas, right as they might be, get rejected.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on May 26, 2007 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh so true on that point Al;

however, many great forward thinkers and trailblazers have not had the political "tact" to win over or "schmooze" the influential people to move ahead quickly. That's always the challenge with "cracking" the status quo's grip on antiquated methods of operation, training, innovative practices, etc.

In the case of MLB, I am not privy to the many different operations, organizations, and personalities that operate. Nonetheless, in defense of and support of Dr. Marshall's positive contributions, it is entirely worthwhile to become as highly educated as possible to try to influence and promote as much "truth" and accurate evidence as exists.

Dispelling myths, heresay, propaganda, prejudice, and outright lies that are hurled as obstacles in the path of more effective methods of pitching training will make baseball move forward to a higher and more noble plane of operation. Not to mention the huge reduction in players' pain, suffering, and loss of careers.

From a selfish fan's perspective, it might be refreshing to see the promise of a Kerry Wood or Mark Prior come to fruition, and especially if this happened with the Cubs!

Why not at least understand that sometimes a GM should not kill the messenger, but try to sort out the real gold nuggets that exist in the mining process!

I would hope that some astute and already successful people-skills oriented GM could do this; and would want to do this. What is Brian Cashman going to do now that George S. has given him his notice to produce or else? Why should Jim Hendry & the Cubs (currently lame ducks as they are) let the Yankees again lead the way, and leave the rest of MLB in their dust?

I keep hearing the words and promises of John McDonough's echoing in my tired-of-waitng ears...

That's why I replaced WTNY with 'Someday...':

My need to acknowledge that the Cubs ultimate success may not occur in my lifetime!

Besides, 'Someday...' is more positive, shorter and to the point, and promotes a more optimistic point of view, without resorting to the more trite, banal, and helpless perennial dirge of WTNY.

Someday...Dr. Mike Marshall, Someday...

SOMEDAY… If they won a world championship, sure, we'd be proud. But we couldn't love them any more than we already do –anon. Cub fan

by hellfreezesoverwaittillnextyear on May 27, 2007 12:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

W. Edward Deming

I believe is the correct name of the management pioneer in the auto industry whom I was referring to:

http://www.deming.org/

SOMEDAY… If they won a world championship, sure, we'd be proud. But we couldn't love them any more than we already do –anon. Cub fan

by hellfreezesoverwaittillnextyear on May 28, 2007 11:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

is this THE Mike Marshall

who was a great relief pitcher for Expos, Dodgers?? He could get major league hitters out from the bullpen, for sure.

by writerinwrigley on May 26, 2007 3:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes!

Just check out his record; he used himself as a single subject research project to get the data in order to experimentally verify real science-based methods for pitching effectively!

SOMEDAY… If they won a world championship, sure, we'd be proud. But we couldn't love them any more than we already do –anon. Cub fan

by hellfreezesoverwaittillnextyear on May 26, 2007 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I recall the scorn James got

when he became a pioneer in statistics as a means of predicting and evaluating players.

The point is, what would we have to lose.

Players win awards but teams win championships.

by tharr on May 26, 2007 7:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank You!

Hopefully Dr. Marshall will get this honor and opportunity in his lifetime!

How fitting it would be, if the current 99 years without a World Series Cubs were the LEADERS rather than the followers in this effort!

SOMEDAY… If they won a world championship, sure, we'd be proud. But we couldn't love them any more than we already do –anon. Cub fan

by hellfreezesoverwaittillnextyear on May 27, 2007 12:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

One further thought

While James wasn't welcomed into the inner circles of baseball, he was able to operate without. Marshall would need to be brought into the actual organization to function. He'd be facing the people who are being told their methods aren't successful. As such, Marshall's task would be incredibly confrontational.

It would take an owner like Cuban to impose his will on the intransigent members in the organization for it to succeed. Barring that, I just don't see it happening although I'd love to see it tried. Perhaps he could hook up with one of the Dominican affiliated schools to get his foot in the door.

Players win awards but teams win championships.

by tharr on May 27, 2007 1:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great idea!

I also believe in smaller "pilots" to get a foothold/start. A minor league team, either MLB affiliated or independent league could also provide the needed data and demonstrated effectiveness.

I'm not sure that Dr. Marshall wants to pursue this level right now. He has already managed/coached successfully at lower college levels at St. Leo's college in Florida, and the college where Jeff Sparks first started in Texas.

He mentioned at his clinic in May, that a former assistant coach/friend of his was currently an assistant coach at my alma mater, Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

SOMEDAY… If they won a world championship, sure, we'd be proud. But we couldn't love them any more than we already do –anon. Cub fan

by hellfreezesoverwaittillnextyear on May 27, 2007 2:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I coached at Texas Wesleyan

and had occasion to get to San Marcos. I almost took a job there but stayed in Houston. If you ever get to a game at Minute maid, let me know.

If the law of averages are to be believed this is our year....or not.

by tharr on May 28, 2007 1:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Marshalls ideas remind me of

the natural golf swing craze that started about 10 years ago and kind of died off. Whether or not it was a good approach, I don't know, but I think it lost luster because no PGA tour pro has ever played with the "Natural Golf" swing approach.

Although I played ball a while, I didn't pitch once I got to high school and college ball, so I am no pitching genious by any means, but I do understand the basics. His theories are interesting indeed, and may even have validity in the area of injury protection. In watching the video of how he teach mechanics, the one issue I do see is how the pitcher is open to the hitter when they deliver. I believe this would take away a big advantage a lot of pitchers have in being able to hide the ball as long as they can in their delivery, which for some pitchers is everything.

For those that have had the joy of standing next to the plate and watching a 95 mph fastball, you know it's not just how fast someone throws, but how quickly you pick the ball up out of their delivery. This is why some pitchers at 88, look like they are throwing 95, because they have a deliver that makes it difficult to pick up the ball.

It sounds like he has had his clinics a while, and the true test would be if one of his pupils (pitching his style) could ever make it to the bigs.

"Just give me 25 guys on the last year of their contracts; I'll win a pennant every year" - Sparky Anderson

by MPH73 on May 27, 2007 2:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs