Two strikes? Use your hands

A few days ago the Phillies won 7-2 on a two-strike pinch hit grand slam from Carlos Ruiz. That same night Jordan faced one of the leagues flamethrowers and struck out twice. I sat in the bleachers right behind home plate and I was pretty amazed how fast that kid threw the ball.

I picked up the Sunday paper, which is unusual for me, and read about the Phils win. Chooch was quotes as saying, "I was just trying to use my hands". My father used to say "protect the plate." I used to say "don't let the ump call you out". I liked Chooch's quote so I had Jordan read it. Then we went to the cages and he hit the snot out of the ball about 60 times, and started feeling just a whole lot better about himself. So we talked a little about hitting with two strikes.

If hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports, try doing it when you're down to your last strike. I can actually remember the intensity of that situation. You have  a split second to decide, not whether it's a pitch you like, but whether it's close enough for the ump to call it a strike. If it's close, you gotta swing. You choke up, shorten your swing, and "use your hands".

Jordan played again on Monday night, and in his first at bat, found himself down 0-2. The pitcher was not nearly as fast, but behind in the count is still tough. His first base coach told him to choke up, and he did. The next pitch was high but he swung and got a piece of it. The next one was down the middle, maybe outside, and he hit it off the end of the bat. The next one was in the same spot, and almost the same thing happened and the ball rolled down the third base line about 6 inches fair. I stared at the ball thinking it would go foul, but it didn't. I thought to myself for a split second "crap I hope he's running and not staring at it like everyone else in the park!". I looked at first base and saw the back of this kid barreling down the line and crossing first, no chance for a play.

Sure it wasn't a screaming line drive into right center field, but anyone who loves baseball knows that that kind of a hit is as fun to watch as a big line drive into the outfield. I really proud of Jordan for the way he handled himself under that pressure, and especially the way he allowed his dad, his coach, and Chooch to help him a little.

He kept the inning alive, eventually scored, and so I walked over to the dugout to congratulate him. He was as happy as if he had hit a two strike pinch hit grand salami for the Phillies. He said "I did exactly what you said, dad! Did you see it!?"

"Of course I did, Jor, and I couldn't be happier for you!"

PS: In his next at bat he hit a soft liner to the pitcher who caught it. In his third at bat he hit a screaming liner the second baseman's left side, who reached out his glove but it was too hot to handle. It bounced off his glove for nice solid single. I think the two strike demon is dead.