Gerrit Cole, the reigning unanimous Cy Young award winner, is gearing up to face the challenges that come with being at the top. Ron Guidry, a former New York Yankees ace and Cy Young winner himself, understands what Cole will be going through. Guidry spoke about the pressure of being the best and how every team and hitter will be gunning for Cole in his upcoming season.
Guidry reminisced about his own experience as a Cy Young winner and how he handled the pressure. Although his ERA rose slightly, he still performed well and finished in the top three in the Cy Young voting the following year. The Yankees would gladly take a similar scenario for Cole, but they also hope to provide him with more support from the rotation.
Guidry expressed his confidence in Cole’s ability to handle the pressure, stating that he doesn’t shy away from anyone and performs better against tough competition. The two have developed a strong relationship over the years, with Guidry serving as a guest instructor during spring training. Cole credited Guidry for helping him adjust to the pressures and expectations of being a Yankee.
Guidry praised Cole’s work ethic and his ability to combine analytical knowledge with traditional pitching techniques. Cole understands that analytics are important, but ultimately, it’s about what you can do on the mound with the baseball. He proved himself last year by finding a balance between analytics and experience.
Cole is always striving to improve and stay ahead of the curve. He had a dominant season last year but now faces the challenge of surpassing those accomplishments. Guidry mentioned other great pitchers who have come through the Yankees organization, and although Cole is right-handed, he still values Guidry’s insight from an old-school perspective.
As Cole continues to evolve as a pitcher, he will rely on his combination of analytical knowledge and traditional pitching techniques to stay at the top. He is determined to find ways to improve and surpass his previous achievements. With Guidry’s guidance and his own dedication, Cole is ready to face the challenges that come with being the reigning Cy Young winner.
In conclusion, Gerrit Cole is prepared to take on the challenges of being the best in the league. With Ron Guidry by his side, Cole has learned how to handle the pressure and use a combination of analytics and traditional techniques to improve his performance. He is determined to continue evolving as a pitcher and surpassing his previous achievements. The upcoming season will be a test for Cole, but he is ready to face it head-on.
