Good chemistry promotes positive connection. This Yankee team has exactly that- positivity. From the moment Aaron Judge took the reigns as the Yankee captain, there was a transformation among the players who saw him rise to the leader of the team. This includes Gerrit Cole, who is a completely different player on this Yankee team. He is confident, he is locked in and he is ready to give the Yankees an amazing performance every five days. Cole's success demonstrates the very importance of having good chemistry. Let's dig into the foundation of that formula.
According to The Atlantic, "Can a high five or fist bump really create—or even stand in for—camaraderie, in all its complexity? Then again, as Barry Zito told me, “guys that don’t respect each other won’t go out of their way to congratulate each other after a big moment.” And a celebratory touch can demonstrate a deeper level of acceptance and intimacy." There is a particular connection between a pitcher and a catcher that is even deeper than respect or even acceptance. It is about confidence, in both players. For Gerrit Cole, having consistency in Jose Trevino for more than a season now, may be the root of his success this season. Good chemistry in the works.
"Through his first four starts, Cole has given up just three runs across 28 ¹/₃ innings (good for a 0.95 ERA) while striking out 32. He became the first Yankees pitcher in franchise history to record a sub-1.00 ERA and at least 30 strikeouts through his first four appearances of a season since the earned run became an official stat in 1913," reported the New York Post.
He seemed to enter the season with renewed confidence. He is standing taller. He cut off his locks. He looks like a leader, and he is taking on a similar role that Judge has on this team.
"Throughout spring training, the Yankees were encouraged by the spot Cole found himself in both physically and mentally, feeling more settled in his first fully normal camp with the team. The good vibes have translated into the first month of the regular season, and then some, with Cole looking every bit of a $324 million pitcher," reported The Post.
Trevino said that Cole had conviction with all his pitches on Sunday's complete game shutout against the Twins. Cole also has shown that he can have a sense of humor, communicating to his catcher on a pop up in the Phillies game a couple of weeks ago and laughing a bit at the umpire not calling a strike in the first game of the season against the Giants.
Good chemistry equals good vibes which lays the foundation for success. Between catcher and pitcher, among ace and his team and from captain to leader of the pitching staff, there is good chemistry on this team. The importance of is chemistry is immeasurable. “It’s like walking into a bar and getting a vibe.” But what specifically it’s made of, and how it can be measured, is a harder question," said David Ross, manager of the Chicago Cubs.
We can certainly see the chemistry in the performance of this team and particularly in the performance of Cole in his first four starts this season. He is exciting to watch, something I would not have said in previous seasons. The Cole Train in on the track, blazing and full of fuel that will hopefully keep this Yankee team in contention while they work out the kinks in other areas that need some of those good vibes.
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--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
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