Blue Jays hitting coach David Popkins finds new home in Toronto
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Blue Jays hitting coach David Popkins was blindsided of his firing by the Twins but has found a new home in Toronto.
David Popkins is enjoying life with the first-place Toronto Blue Jays and is hopeful for the remaining season to come.
But 11 months ago, he was initially shocked when the Minnesota Twins dismissed him after their season-ending collapse, thinking he instead could be part of the team's long-term plans.
Within hours of his dismissal, three teams contacted Popkins to interview him for their hitting coach vacancies.
Toronto hired Popkins on Oct. 21 and couldn't be happier with its decision, as its previously underachieving offense is a driving force behind a surprising season north of the border.
OFFICIAL: We're excited to announce the hiring of David Popkins as our Hitting Coach. Welcome to the #BlueJays!
«We had kind of agreed I was going to be extended for several years,» Popkins said. «I thought that was already agreed upon. When it happened, I was blindsided. There was initial shock. But as soon as you get those calls from other teams, you feel the body of work was noticed and appreciated, and you forget about it pretty quick. I love where I'm at.
In joining the Blue Jays, Popkins took over as the hitting voice for a team with a $251.9 million payroll, a group considered to be underachievers for multiple seasons, despite featuring Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and George Springer. Led by Springer's career resurgence at 35, Toronto's offense is flourishing.
«I love who I'm working with (now), our guys, our players, our culture,» Popkins said. «It's been a great year so far, and I look forward to keep going and see where we go.»
| POLL | ||
AOUT 30 | 148 ANSWERS Blue Jays hitting coach David Popkins finds new home in Toronto Do you think the resurgence of the Blue Jays offense is due to players buying into David Popkins philosophy on hitting? | ||
| Yes | 127 | 85.8 % |
| No | 21 | 14.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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