Dave Eiland noticed A.J. Burnett’s shoulder was flying open:
Eiland watched Burnett’s two most recent starts on TV during his sabbatical and noticed that Burnett’s front shoulder was “flying open again” during his delivery, causing him to throw across his body and affecting the location of his pitches.
“It’s not something he hasn’t heard before,” Eiland said of Burnett. “Your front side dictates the rest of your delivery. That’s always been a big thing with A.J. He has to channel all his energy toward the plate and come over the top, rather than from the side. I think he’s in a good place right now.”
The Yankees have a seven man coaching staff, two of whom are former catchers. They have a bullpen coach who is a former pitcher. They have a staff of veteran pitchers and a first string catcher who spent over a decade catching some of the best pitchers of his era. This problem is one A.J. Burnett had before. Why was it only Dave Eiland saw it? I think this is a real indictment of the Yankees staff.
Who said they didn’t see it?
@Moshe: Well, if they saw it, why didn’t they fix it? Is Burnett too stubborn to listen to anyone but Eiland?
Who said they fixed it? He hasnt pitched yet. If Eiland noticed it on TV, dont you think he would call someone like Harkey or Girardi? I highly doubt Eiland coming back this week is the first time they’ve heard of this, especially considering Eiland said it was an issue in the past. Knowing the issue and fixing it are 2 seperate things.
@Moshe: Eiland’s quote that Burnett was in a good place now made me think he fixed it.
Or is this something they are saying now to take the pressure off of Burnett a bit and perhaps, Girardi too.
If the Yankees are interested in Cliff Lee or someone else and Burnett is hurt, this may be a negotiating ploy to keep the price from going up.
You can do so much with video today, it’s not possible this was not noticed. And if he noticed it on TV surely he communicated this to those paying his salary, even if he was on leave.
If it was noticed and Burnett did not listen, I just can not believe this. Eiland could have called him or Burnett could have called Eiland. I never had leave for 20 years where I was not on the phone or email for 4 hours a day, surely the same is true for coaches. This is 2010 and not 1930, no excuse for any lack of communication.
I think it’s Burnett’s fault. He’s a baby. I’m sure Harkey noticed the problem, and tried to fix it, but Burnett balked ’til Eiland came back (no pun intended).
That said, maybe Kevin Long needs to go. Tex is STILL performing mediocrely at best. His June was actually worse than his May.