The teachings of hitting coach Walt Hriniak have sparked debate within the White Sox organization.
One of his chief detractors, Al Goldis, cited his disagreement with Hriniak`s style as one of the reasons he resigned as minor-league director last weekend when the Sox canned General Manager Larry Himes.
Detractors claim Hriniak`s top-hand-off-the-bat swing robs hitters of power, a charge he denies. But Hriniak has a booster in Oakland manager Tony LaRussa, whom he visited after Tuesday night`s game.
”There`s no better hitting coach in baseball than Walt Hriniak,” said LaRussa. ”He has a productive offense. It`s a shame people don`t recognize it.
”I`ve had more conversations with Walt Hriniak than I`ve had with any hitting coach. I know the way he coaches. It`s a great style of hitting a baseball. In my opinion, it`s the best type of offense that you can have. It sure (upsets) me when I see people taking shots at him. I think they`re wrong.”
LaRussa and Hriniak share a common link: the late hitting expert, Charlie Lau. Lau was White Sox batting coach under LaRussa in 1982 and 1983, and LaRussa is the executor of Lau`s estate. Hriniak considered Lau his mentor and wears a No. 6 jersey, just as Lau did.
Just a chat: Could the A`s and Sox be brewing up a winter deal? LaRussa had a long pregame talk with Sox eye-in-the-sky scout Joe Nossek, the man rumored to be the club`s next general manager. Nossek coached under LaRussa with the Sox during 1984-1986.
Be our guest: Jeff Torborg has been asked by CBS-TV to provide analysis for Game 2 of the American League playoffs. Contract details still must be worked out.
Later date: The starting time of Sunday`s game in Seattle has been switched to 6:35 p.m. from 3:35 p.m.