When Eduardo “Uchi” Galarza was handed the helm to try to keep the RA12 ninth afloat, the fledgling manager knew he had a huge challenge ahead of him.
Galarza, who was already part of the coaching staff under Juan “Yunque” López, rose to the top position when the team was 1-9 and was sinking into the depths of bitterness.
There were not high expectations, based on the inexperience of most of the players in the franchise that debuted in the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League in the 2020-2021 season.
So the first message Galarza gave was rather motivating, acknowledging the disadvantage he had against the other teams in the league.
“All this has been achieved, in part, to the confidence that I have given to the boys. Take that message to them that they go out on the field to have fun and not mess with pressure. The pressure will always be at some point in the game, “Galarza told The new day remembering the moment he took office on November 23.
“I was there (as part of the coaching staff), but when I arrived what I did was change the dynamics of the clubhouse a bit. In the new dynamic that exists in baseball it is required that one have a happy clubhouse. We changed the dynamics of the clubhouse and carried that message that you have to play happily ”, he added.
“I explained to them that when that time comes, be ready to deal with it. Especially pitchers. We still have to, as one says, continue to engage the machine here and there. There are always some players who escape us a little and make us nervous. We are working on that ”, he continued.
The situation has changed a lot since then.
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I was there (as part of the coaching staff), but when I arrived what I did was change the dynamics of the clubhouse a bit. In the new dynamic that exists in baseball it is required that one have a happy clubhouse. We changed the dynamics of the clubhouse and carried that message that you have to play happily “
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Under the direction of the Guayamés, RA12 has won six of the last ten challenges. With 12 games remaining in the regular season, Roberto Alomar’s ninth ranks fourth with a 7-13 record and a game ahead of the Carolina Giants.
RA12’s three straight victories over the Giants have them in the fight for the final qualifying spot in the postseason, which is the biggest upset of the winter tournament.
“I have ten games with them (as manager) and we have improved a lot. The walk percentage is down. We have brought in relievers who in previous situations were walking and hitting balls, “he analyzed. “You had to instill in them that dynamic of doing that extra work. Work in the ‘baseball sense’, robberies of bases. Robert (Alomar) has always been with us on that extra job. We have changed the dynamics and they have received it very well ”.
RA12’s offense is led by shortstop Abdiel Layer, who has remained at the top of the batting department with a robust .370. When it comes to home runs, Roby Enrique, who is about to sign with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, has four.
RA12 maintains a collective average of .233 with ten homers and in pitching they have a collective ERA of 5.25.
They no longer see them the same
On the other hand, Galarza, who works with the MLB project in Puerto Rico and has experience in Double A baseball, recognizes that the mentality of the other teams has changed around RA12 and its dangerousness is evident.
“When we won the fifth game -last week- I told them that we had to be prepared because they are no longer seeing us as the kids in the league, or the ‘cherry’. The message that I am taking you from that day to here is that we have to be aware of all kinds of situations. They are going to play us stronger, we are winning games either comfortably or closed, ”he shared.
“That’s when you see that guys are dealing with those pressure moments. They are knowing how to execute. I wanted to bring that message to them because every day things get harder. Santurce wants to rip our heads off just like Caguas. Not to mention Mayagüez, which has a tremendous team. Our coaching staff and I are preparing them to deal with those moments. You have to be aware of all kinds of situations. From the very minimum on the pitch, if we want to achieve our goal “, he concluded.
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