Players Embrace Wallach’s Method

To understand the dynamics of the dramatically improved Dodger offense, one only has to remember the way the team’s new batting coach played.

Runner on third, one out? Tim Wallach would gladly sacrifice his batting average for a run-scoring groundout. Runner on second, nobody out? Wallach would more quickly lay down a bunt than take a home run cut.

“I played every game and took every at-bat with the approach that I was going to try to do something to help the ballclub win,” said Wallach, a five-time National League All-Star third baseman who finished his 17-year career with a .257 average.

The Dodgers have reflected their coach’s selfless approach during a fast start in which they were second in the league with a .281 batting average going into Wednesday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. A team that was last in the major leagues in runs scored in 2003 is eighth in the league this season, scoring nine or more runs six times in 31 games.

“Timmy Wallach was all about team offense as a player,” Dodger Manager Jim Tracy said. “What I’m seeing through the course of [31] games is, he’s sending the same message to this team and they’re hearing the message and they’re carrying it out.”

Wallach delivers his message in a manner that has won over the Dodger players.

“He doesn’t really push it down your throat,” first baseman Robin Ventura said. “He definitely has his philosophy, but guys are going to him more than he’s having to go to them to push them.”

Two players who have made the most dramatic improvements, Adrian Beltre and Cesar Izturis, required only minor adjustments, Wallach said.

“It’s more approach at the plate, mentally understanding what they’re good at and what they’re not good at and what’s going to make them good hitters,” Wallach said. “Adrian’s been using the whole field, and that’s helped him to lay off pitches that are out of the strike zone.

“Izzy was vulnerable to the off-speed pitch late in the count, and I was trying to get him to trust that he’s quick enough to let the ball get deep and handle the fastball late in the count.”

Beltre entered Wednesday’s game with a league-leading .381 batting average and Izturis was hitting .283, well above his .246 career average.

“He’s kind of taking each person and trying to take advantage of what they have as far as talent,” Ventura said of Wallach, “and I think he’s done a good job of that.”

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