Considering Learning from Mistakes

The Red Sox learned from one of their earlier mistakes.  Dice-K has done well in his 2 years with the Red Sox.  But not as well as perhaps anticipated.  The difference in balls (Japanese teams often use a smaller ball) and Dice-K’s relatively small hands meant that he had trouble gripping the ball for certain pitches.  John Farrell says they removed 2 pitches from his arsenal as a result.  If Dice-K had control of those 2 pitches … he would obviously be even better.

So, when the Red Sox tried out Junichi Tawaza they had him throw using MLB balls.  This gave them a better idea of which pitches he’d be able to throw well when he got to America.  Apparently they liked what they saw enough to sign him to a contract.

(HT: Peter Gammons)