Meet Lenny: creator of new torpedo bats was an MIT physicist
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Last week, nobody outside of coaching staffs knew the name Aaron Leanhardt. Suddenly, he is the most talked about man in baseball. Meet Lenny: the MIT Physicist-turned-coach who has created the latest fad in dugouts everywhere, the torpedo bat.
Leanhardt took a very unusual route to get to where he is today. Graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in electrical engineering and having a PhD in physics from MIT, Leanhardt was a university professor from 2007-2014.
He began coaching in the Atlantic League in 2017, eventually joining the Yankeesas an analyst, where he spent two years developing the thicker bats.
Although Leanhardt downplays his role in the bat's creation, others are ready to ascribe his contribution.
«Credit goes to those who take it. But if people want to ascribe credit to different people, then I'll take some cut of it.»
The bats have ignited discussion around the league. Some think they are just a fad, while other insiders think they will eventually be banned. MLB has stated that they are legal, and fall within the regulations of Rule 3.02, which describes bat length.
So why leave academia for baseball?
«I think that's one of the cool things about sports is it's very competitive. Guys are willing to push the envelope. It's just an opportunity to take my background to an area and find ways to innovate.»
After years of being an analyst, Leanhardt was hired by new Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullogh to serve as the team's field coordinator for the 2025 season.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 2 | 68 ANSWERS Meet Lenny: creator of new torpedo bats was an MIT physicist Will torpedo bats become common place? | ||
| Yes, they're cool | 25 | 36.8 % |
| No, they should be banned | 14 | 20.6 % |
| Eh, I'm indifferent | 27 | 39.7 % |
| The Jays should hire hime | 2 | 2.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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