Brian McCann hasn't found his stroke half way through his first season with the New York Yankees and his former hitting coach doesn’t think he ever will.
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Former Atlanta Braves hitting coach and first base coach, Terry Pendleton, didn't think McCann would choose the Yankees when he hit free agency and believes that “New York is not Brian.” Pendleton was McCann’s hitting coach for six seasons and through their relationship he believes that the money McCann received and the pressure of New York is hurting his confidence.
Pendleton spoke to the New York Post about McCann’s situation.
"Going from Atlanta to New York is a different animal," Pendleton said. "Brian McCann is going to put more heat on himself and for him, trying to do more is the worst thing for him. I've learned that. ... That money is hanging over his head. A lot of guys say, 'I've got to live up to that,' instead of, 'They signed you to play your game.'"
"I think he will become accustomed to [playing in New York]," Pendleton said. "He has to relax and do what he's capable of doing. He said he's not a .220 hitter, and he's right. He's definitely better than he's shown. He just has to settle down.”
McCann signed a five-year, $85 million deal with the Yankees and hasn't lived up to the billing through 79 games. McCann is batting 44 points below his career average at .230 and has only amassed 10 home runs and 38 runs batted in a very hitter friendly Yankee Stadium.
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The 30-year-old, McCann has plenty of time to rebound off a mediocre first half and has given the Yankees much needed stability at catcher as opposed to the 2013 season. McCann is in no danger of losing his starting catcher duties as he works out the kinks in his hitting game.
[ESPN]
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