Gene Tenace - Hitting Approach

Hitting Approach

Tenace advocates a more aggressive approach to hitting. Under his guidance, hitters spend less time working the count and more time preparing to hit. He stresses the mental part of hitting, such as the mental preparation for what a pitcher will do, rather than just the physical aspect. Under Tenace, the philosophy of hitting can be described as "Grip It And Rip It" and more of an old school approach to hitting.

Before Gaston was hired the Blue Jays had a record of 35–39 and since Gaston and his coaches took over the Blue Jays went 51–37 to finish with an 86–76 record on the season. The offensive improvements under Gaston are one of the reasons for the resurgence and as the hitting coach, Tenace has been credited with rejuvenating a stagnant offense. Adam Lind credited his great offensive numbers in the month of July and August to the coaching styles of Gaston and Tenace, saying: "The thing is, a lot of people can teach you how to hit, but not a lot of people can teach you how to hit in the big leagues," referring to the major league experience of Gaston and Tenace. Blue Jays' center fielder Vernon Wells has said he likes the approach to hitting that Tenace teaches: "One thing Gene talks about is having that approach mentally when you go up there, in your mind you already guarantee yourself that one run on third, but you want to do more than that. Gene always says that first runner is a gimme, you should be able to come through in pretty much every situation like that. And then you try to do more damage than just that one run".