“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
That Benjamin Franklin quote might sum up the impact an 82 year-old pitching coach named Phil Regan is having on the New York Met pitching staff.
The decision to replace Dave Eiland with Regan was greeted with snickers and guffaws but no-one is laughing now.
Under Regan’s seasoned and calm tutelage, the Met pitching staff, both starters and relievers, have turned the team’s season around. Dramatically.
Last night early in the game, it was obvious to even the casual fan that Noah Syndergaard was off his game. Not only was Thor being knocked around harder than usual but his pitch location was erratic. That is until Phil Regan paid a visit to the mound.
In post game comments, Syndergaard mentioned that Regan just worked to get his focus back on pitching. That fits the profile that is emerging about the Phil Regan approach.
Speaking with syracuse.com shortly after getting the nod to become the Mets new pitching coach, Regan claimed there is not much difference working with modern players as there was when he first got into the business instructing professional pitchers many years ago.
“I think kids today, they want you to be honest. I don’t ever lie to them. I try to come in and not change their whole delivery,” Regan said.
“I’m not a big believer in doing that, or taking pitches away from them. But there’s a lot of little fundamental things that you have to do as a pitcher. And sometimes a person can see that, maybe just one little thing. Try it, and if you like it stick with it.”
It’s those little things not major overhauls that Regan has learned can make a big difference.
In a Kevin Kernan column in the New York Post earlier in the month, Regan explained his quick fix for Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler addressed closing off the front foot so their arm stays more in line with home plate and their front shoulder doesn’t fly open. A little adjustment with big results.
I was first introduced to Phil Regan’s impact on Met pitchers interviewing former Binghamton Met and Rumble Pony pitchers for my Tip-Off sports radio show. In every interview with a Met minor leaguer I ask:
“In your baseball journey are there any people who have played important roles in helping you develop your baseball game?”
To a man, ever young Met pitching prospect I have interviewed over the years has included Phil Regan in their response.
The Mets are amidst a run that is magical. Every day is punctuated by a new surprise, by someone new wearing the Superman cape. But, through it all there has been one constant, the steady work on the mound by the Met pitchers and the wisdom and guidance of their ‘young of heart’ new pitching coach.
