The Influence of Kirby Puckett: Exploring the Reasons Behind Batters’ Reluctance to Swing at Sliders
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports George Kirby had Javier Báez right where he wanted him. It was October 3, 2022, the last start of Kirby’s excellent rookie year, and Kirby had Báez, the king of chasing sliders off the plate, in an 0-2 count. His catcher, Cal Raleigh, set up off the plate, suggesting that Kirby…