Hale takes credit for D-backs offensive onslaught
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- During Chip Hale's daily briefing with the media on Monday, the Diamondbacks manger was asked about the gaudy offensive numbers his team has put up so far this spring. Hale immediately took full credit.
"I've been working with the hitters pretty much early every day, myself, to get them to that spot," he said.
He was joking.
"That was my best Tony La Russa impression," he explained.
Hale went on to say he takes spring training stats with a grain of salt. They don't translate to regular-season success.
What does transfer, he said, is the approach the D-backs take at the plate. The D-backs, under new hitting coach Dave Magadan, are attacking pitches early in counts and also executing a better two-strike approach.
"We have a lot of good hitter in that clubhouse," Hale said.
The D-backs entered Monday leading baseball in batting average (.320), runs (153), extra-base hits (90) and OPS (.893) this spring.