Quote Originally Posted by gilesfan View Post
Do people actually believe that players step into the box and not try to get a hit? Or try harder at times?
As far as in-game motivation for players, I see that as very minimal when you compare the most-focused player in the league to the least-focused player. The much more significant difference would be in motivation to work on ones craft the rest of the time (staying in good physical and mental condition, extra work in the offseason, arriving at sprint training before your required reporting date, maximizing work with instructors during spring training, coming to the park early to work during the season, staying after the game during the season to work on something, etc.). It's no secret that the latter has been a concern for Kemp at many points during his career . . . some would argue for most of his career.