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Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Glenn Sherlock, Pitcher's Strengths - 1183

Glenn Sherlock explained his philosophy as a coach with the Diamondbacks to a reporter in 1998.

"When you're approaching a game," Sherlock told the reporter, "it's more important to deal with your pitcher's strengths than the hitters' weaknesses."

Sherlock has been focusing on Diamondback pitchers' strengths for much of the team's existence, serving almost exclusively as the team's bullpen coach, continuing into 2013.

He was also there for the 2001 Diamondbacks championship, Sherlock the one passing the word to Randy Johnson to get ready late in Game 7.

Sherlock's career in baseball began in 1983, taken by the Astros in the 21st round of the draft, out of Rollins College in Florida.

With the Astros, Sherlock started at short-season Auburn, moving to single-A Asheville in 1984. The catcher didn't see AA until four games in 1986 at Columbus.

For 1987, Sherlock moved to the Yankees system, getting brief playing time for three seasons at AA Albany and AAA Columbus, ending his playing career.

By 1990, Sherlock was a coach, back at Albany. For 1991, he was manager at Fort Lauderdale and for 1992, he was in the Bronx as a bullpen catcher.

In 1995, Sherlock worked with Yankees catcher Mike Stanley, Stanley told The South Florida Sun-Sentinel Stanley knew what he was doing because he worked at it.

"He works hard to know the opposing hitters and runners as well as our pitchers," Sherlock told The Sun-Sentinel. "He has improved his receiving and blocking skills as well as his throwing. His arm is quick and accurate."

By 1998, Sherlock found his new home with the Diamondbacks. Aside from 2003 and 2004, where he is credited as being a base coach and bench coach, Sherlock has served as bullpen coach since.

In 2008, as closer Brendan Lyon was in his career year for saves, Sherlock praised the stopper to The Deseret News.

"He does a great job. He is the leader of our bullpen," Sherlock told The News. "He has been very durable. He runs the bullpen. The guys look up to him."

Back in 2001, Sherlock helped get ready another Diamondbacks relief pitcher, Randy Johnson in Game 7 of the World Series. It was Sherlock who took the call getting Johnson up in the game in which Johnson would pick up the win.

"When the bullpen door opened and the big guy walked out," Sherlock told Sports Illustrated later, "the crowd went nuts, and I got goose bumps all over."
1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:1,209
Made the Majors: 688 - 56.9%-X
Never Made Majors: 521-43.1%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 296-X
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 176

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