Postponing defeat's bitter taste.

Slow down. Slow down. Slow down. That’s what pitching coach Chris Bosio keeps telling Chicago Cubs pitchers. Take time to think. About each pitch. Don’t be in a hurry. Life was meant to proceed slowly. To be savored. And that includes the game of baseball. I buy into Bosio’s concept. He wants his pitchers to take the game one pitch at a time. To not get ahead of themselves. To envision exactly what they’re gonna do with each pitch. To imagine the hitter swinging and missing or grounding into a double play. Bosio knows that baseball is largely a mind game. Confidence makes a difference. Knowing the purpose of each pitch.  It seems to have had a positive effect on the Cubs starting pitchers. They have one of the best earned run averages in baseball. Unfortunately, the relief pitchers, the hitters, the fielders aren’t doing so well. Looks like they are playing fast and furious. Not taking time to think. They’re atrocious.  Inept. It’s time for the entire team to play slowly. More games lasting 4 or 5 hours. Maybe into the wee hours of the next day.  If that doesn’t work, at least the Cubs will be postponing defeat's bitter taste. –Jim Broede