Astros new Latin American Strength & Conditioning Coordinator

[Duman]

A few weeks ago, I learned the Astros had hired Rachel Balkovec to be their Latin American Strength & Conditioning Coordinator.  Here is a post she wrote for a fitness blog about her approach.  It is worth the read.

One Highlight:

For example, when I was with the St. Louis Cardinals, I was very frustrated that our pitchers did not even know how to say ‘arm’ in English. It seemed like a given, but our athletes who literally depend on their arms to make money did not know how to say the word ‘arm.’ Hence, I created a giant poster of our catcher, Yadier Molina (with his permission) and posted in the weight room. Every day at the end of the workout, each player had to pin magnetic English words on the poster in the correct places and say the word with correct pronunciation. Along with that I would regularly have ‘All English’ days in the weight room to force the guys into using the language instead of taking the easy route.

[Mike S.]

Thanks for posting that, Duman.  You're right, excellent read.  I can only think/hope that her work makes the Astros organization as a whole better, but, more importantly, makes those young men she's coaching better.