May
23
2012

Rusty Staub On Ike Davis: You Can’t Go Up There Hoping

An article by Jessep

This evening, former Met Rusty Staub was joined by several Mets bloggers on a conference call.

On June 2nd, the Mets 50th Anniversary Alumni Bobblehead series will feature Rusty Staub. The following day, Staub will be a judge during Banner Day!

We were given a chance to ask Staub one question, so I decided to ask him about the relationship with a hitting coach during a slump, and what his thoughts on Ike Davis’ struggles were.

“The most important thing you have to understand is yourself. I don’t know what’s happening. I’m not privy to anything that’s being said in that dugout. I don’t have an idea what the hitting instructor is talking to Ike Davis about.”

“Ike Davis came up as a very good prospect as a hitter. He has very good talent. But right now, he’s so messed up in his head, it’s beyond comprehension. I’ve watched the Mets on TV quite a bit, and he’s had the bat in different positions, he’s pumping that thing up and down; he’s not giving himself much of a chance. I think he’s gotta slow it down, and be quieter. If your hands start moving down when that ball is coming, you’re not getting there. He does that a lot. He’s going to get out of this thing, whether he’s got to go to the minors and get himself together. I had to do that once in myself in my career.”

“What Ike has to start doing is study himself and know why he’s doing well when he’s doing well, and have an idea. Every pitcher has a strength and a weakness. Some don’t have as many weaknesses as others. You can’t go up there hoping. You have to go up there with an idea what you want to do against that pitcher, and you have to try and execute that. Right now, I think he’s so confused, I’m not too sure giving him a little time to get his act together wouldn’t be the best thing in the world for the young man, as terrible as that sounds. But, Ike will be back. It’s not easy to have the type of long-term injury the previous year and automatically come back and swing the bat great.”

(Thanks to Mets Blog for the transcript)

I think you have to really focus on a few statements but one in particular stands out to me. “He’s so messed up in his head, it’s beyond comprehension.”

From somebody like Rusty Staub to see that and say it, tells me a lot about Ike’s struggles.

He’s also acknowledging that perhaps Davis is trying to do too much. He’s moving his hands up and down the bat, and he is going to the plate “hoping.”

To me it’s as clear as it ever has been. Ike Davis needs to go to the minor leagues, and we as fans aren’t the only ones who see it. Living legends like Rusty Staub see it too.

About the Author: Michael J. Branda

My time with MMO began in July of 2009 when I wrote a Fan Post defending Omar Minaya (before it was cool to do that.) I grew up a Mets fan with the mid 1980's teams. My favorite Met of all-time is (and was) Wally Backman. When it comes to sabermetrics versus old school thinking, I like to think I meet in the middle. I believe thinking of new ways to get answers is helpful, especially when the same way has not produced results. However, I think over-thinking certain situations can get you into trouble. I'm excited for the new regime, because I believe they have pieces in place to focus on several aspects of the Mets organization. I've waited this long for a World Series, waiting a few more years for another chance isn't going to kill me.

20 Comments + Add Comment

Joe D May 23, 2012 at 10:42 pm

Mike, thanks so much for covering this for us. Honestly, and not to brag, but your question was spot on and got the best emotional and in depth reply from Rusty on the call. You made us shine. You can count on more interactions like this in the future. Great job!
Stick May 23, 2012 at 10:50 pm

nice articulate answer from Rusty too.

Put him down in the “summer vacation in Buffalo” category.
tlagee May 23, 2012 at 11:08 pm

Thanks for the Rusty answer – good stuff!

I had said a few times during the off season on this forum that the jury is still out on Ike. Hopefully, the jury is still out. I would like the kid to succeed and the Mets need him. But, even when he was going well he still, at times, had too much daylight between his bat and the ball. I have no idea what he needs to do to fix that huge hole that he has. He should be working on it in the minors.
Des May 23, 2012 at 11:35 pm

Rusty regarding Ike’s batting:
“, and he’s had the bat in different positions, he’s pumping that thing up and down; he’s not giving himself much of a chance. I think he’s gotta slow it down, and be quieter. If your hands start moving down when that ball is coming, you’re not getting there. He does that a lot.”

So the old hitch is a problem and screws up timing. Surprised?
Joey D. May 24, 2012 at 12:27 am

Hi Mike,

Thanks so much for posting those insightful remarks from Le Grande Orange regarding Ike Davis. His statement about Ike’s troubles being beyond comprehension really did hit hard – when one is in a slump we usually see the video showing a specific problem with one’s mechanics not enabling him to get good wood on the ball. With Ike, it seems he’s lost his batting eye as well. Though today was an encouraging sign with his base hit and sharply hit fly to left center that was run down on the warning track.
Jerry M May 24, 2012 at 1:07 am

Maybe we should take Ike on his statement about Murphy. He said Murphy is measured at the plate and knows the pitches. Then said Ike I just go up there and whale around at the pitches.
Russell Zanca May 24, 2012 at 3:22 am

Le Grand Orange…My Man!
Metstheory22 May 24, 2012 at 9:05 am

Rusty always had a plan, kept a book and knew what a pitcher was going to throw.
- Joey D. May 24, 2012 at 9:21 am
  
  22,
  
  Rusty had plans on what to do even after that. In his early Astrodome years, he would change cletes after reaching base. Still can’t figure out why because the infield was still completely covered with dirt, unlike the base cut-outs that followed. I don’t believe he did that on the road.
  - Metstheory22 May 24, 2012 at 10:20 am
    
    Keith Hernandez always said Rusty would know what a pitcher was going to throw next.
    - stick May 24, 2012 at 11:14 am
      
      so they all guess, some hitters are just a lot better at it?
Metfan Lou May 24, 2012 at 9:20 am

To Terry Collins: please don’t have Ike sitting next to Bay in the dugout giving him batting tips. What about Bay going to first when he comes back, Nuwenheis stays in the lineup and Ike sits awhile or goes to Triple AAA to work this thing out.
- trs86 May 24, 2012 at 9:29 am
  
  If they were going to do that then most likely they would move Duda.
  - Metfan Lou May 24, 2012 at 11:21 am
    
    Could it be for a Mets team that we have an over abundance of talent at some positions. We can only hope. Have mot been in this position for a long time and some great AAA talent in the wings. IT’s A GREAT TIME TO BE A MET FAN!!
Stephen Starke May 24, 2012 at 10:10 am

Rusty – I know you know what’s best, but get Ike to relax … focus …. smooth …. ! You’ve been in severe slumps at points of your career and all Ike needs is the confidence to return with a simple 2 for 4 Padres game tonight, and maybe a 300 4 game series and you know he will be back in the game !!
The Padres are the perfect team for Ike to just relax, go out, and take it to them !!!
- Joey D. May 24, 2012 at 10:46 am
  
  Stephen,
  
  Actually Ike going 2 for 4 against San Diego tonight would give him a bigger confidence than, let’s say, playing in Denver.
  
  San Diego is third in the league limiting hiters to a .237 batting average so he’s going to face some top flight pitching whereas gong 2 for 4 against Colorodo would be quite inconclusive since their pitchers are last with an opposing batting average of .289 (am sure it’s much higher in the Mile High City too).
  - trs86 May 24, 2012 at 10:52 am
    
    .259 .337 .446 .783 on the road though with 3 more HR given up in half as many plate appearances. they are 12-16 at home and 4-12 on the road. 3.05 ERA at home and 4.32 ERA on the road.
    - Joey D. May 24, 2012 at 11:05 am
      
      Hi Trs,
      
      Suspected so, knowing how pitching friendly their home field was – but being at the office I could not research those stats further.
      
      Bet it’s the oposite with Colorado – home/road thing. No need to look it up. LOL
  - jessep May 24, 2012 at 11:08 am
    
    I don’t know if I would say “top flight”
    
    I am doing my series preview and I don’t wanna get too into it yet but a lot of SD’s pitching success has not been their starters
    
    If Ike plays in the 1st two games, he will see Eric Stults (rookie) and Anthony Bass. Not exactly putting the fear in a hitter with those names.
    
    Then the Mets will see Richard and Volquez.
    
    The thing about SD pitching is their bullpen has been amazing.
    - stick May 24, 2012 at 11:13 am
      
      sound like the bizzaro universe Phillies.

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