April 23--David Ross hit as many as 21 home runs for the Cincinnati Reds in 2006, but the Chicago Cubs' backup catcher has developed a reputation for his handling of pitchers.
But thanks to a tip by a friend who has thrown batting practice since his younger days, Ross has regained his power stroke.
"I was kind of lost last year," Ross said Friday, one day after hitting a home run to right center. "I've been lost for the past few years since my concussion (in 2013 with Boston). I've been trying to get back to where I was. It was more mechanical.
Ross isn't a big student of watching film. But Steve Givens, his personal batting practice pitcher in Tallahassee, Fla., noticed that Ross used to put more weight on his back leg.
"I went to doing that and saw the ball better," Ross said. "And swinging felt a lot better."
As a result, Ross entered Friday's game with a respectable .278 batting average -- a remarkable improvement over his .176 mark last season.
"I'm in every at-bat," Ross said. "My teammates have been giving me good feedback."
Former major league player Dean Palmer, who attended Ross' high school alma mater, advised him to cut down on his movement, such as a shorter leg kick, in an effort to make contact more frequently.
Ross also applied the "B Hack" advised by manager Joe Maddon in which a hitter chokes up on the bat and looks to drive the ball to the opposite field.
This is the final year for Ross, 39, but he joked about renouncing his retirement plans after receiving congratulatory messages from President Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer.
"Just so they know I'll take that qualifying offer ($15.8 million) if they put in on the table," Ross smiled. "As long as they know that, we're all good.
"I love my family, but they'll all agree on that one."
