Yankees New Hitting Coach Set To Rock Them Back To The Top

The Yankees new hitting coach, Alan Cockrell might have suited up in the National Football League. But baseball was in his heart, according to his college football coach.

"“He might have had a chance to play in the NFL, former University of Tennessee Head Football Coach Johnny Majors said, according to the New York Post.  ¨I think, because he was so athletic.” “But he had so much talent and passion for baseball, that’s what he wanted to do.” [related category]"

Indeed, Cockrell left Tennessee early when the San Francisco Giants made him the ninth selection in the MLB draft. This was despite leading the Vols to an exciting win over Alabama and Bear Bryant in 1982, leaving Tennessee fans deliriously singing  ¨Rocky Top.¨

But he had also been an All American outfielder for Tennessee. After the draft, he worked his way to the majors for a stint as a player with the Colorado Rockies, before finding his niche as a hitting coach. He served in that capacity for the Rockies and the Mariners. Last year, he assisted Jeff Pentland with the Yankees.

According to Majors, Cockrell’s personality has led to his coaching success. And that personality should help him in New York. “He was mature when I had him and studied the game extremely hard,” Majors said, also according to The Post. “That’s why he could be a starting quarterback that young for us and I’m sure that helps him now. He was a pressure player, always stayed cool, calm and collected.”

So, can Cockrell shake up  the Yankees lineup that lit up the scoreboard at times last season, only to fizzle down the stretch? Will he jolt consistency out of Jacoby Ellsbury? Will he turn around Brett Gardner´s second half slide? Will he help Chase Headley return to the high-level production he showed early in his career?

If he and Marcus Thames can do that, the Yankees may climb right over Rocky Top, and make their way back to the top of the  baseball world.