I ran into Buddy Biancalana at a bar mitzvah this past weekend. We had a good chat. Buddy was starting shortstop for the 1985 World Series champion Kansas City Royals. He finished second in the voting for Series MVP to Bret Saberhagen. Buddy teaches professional athletes the unique methods which I describe in my book, Instant Athlete Instant Zone. He taught Hall of Famer George Brett and it dramatically elevated his golf game. I modeled my book’s Star Shortstop character after Buddy.
Buddy told me that two years ago he was contacted by Scott Sanderson, a former Chicago Cubs pitcher. Sanderson, now an agent, was concerned about one of this clients, Philip Humber, whose career as a professional was in shambles. Even though Humber was the third pick in the 2004 amateur draft, he pitched poorly each time he was called up to the majors.
Buddy taught Humber the approach in my book. It saved Humber’s career. He almost made the All Star team last year and just the other day became the 21st player in the history of Major League Baseball to pitch a perfect game.
Buddy then told me of the five or six major league clubs interested in this approach. One particularly famous baseball executive thinks it is the future for sports. Most, however, are cautious about upsetting the apple cart for all their coaches who have spent decades mastering and teaching the fine mechanics of a swing or a pitch.
The plot thickens.