Elbow Up is that piece of conventional wisdom that refuses to die. It is a relic, a long-disproved catchphrase for parents and coaches to shout at unsuspecting children through chain-link fences and batting-cage nets. But like the game itself, the phrase carries on, its origins obscured by time, its original meaning clouded by use and misuse. Elbow Up is the Santa Claus of baseball. To accept that a ball can in fact be struck out of a lowered-elbow stance, that these words so entrenched by well-meaning adults are not in fact gospel, is to grow up.
Julio Franco makes his parents proud.
Good one. All kinds of advice come back ringing in my ears …
ike “Rock and Fire” or “Hum baby.” Or “Help Yourself” (when a pitcher is batting with a runner in scoring position). Or choke up choke down back in the box up in the box step up to the plate back from the plate wait on it (anticipating a deuce) jump on it (anticipating a heater) make him pitch to you (when control is in question). And my favorite bit of parental advice:
WALKS KILL YOU!