Tigers’ McClendon: Launch angle works, but it’s not for everyone

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Tampa, Fla. – Detroit Tigers hitting coach Lloyd McClendon equates teaching hitters the pros and cons of launch angle to being an airplane mechanic.

“A mechanic can work on a plane, but that doesn’t mean he can fly it,” he said Friday before the Tigers opened their Grapefruit League season against the Yankees. “If you are going to teach launch angle, you have to teach it the right way.”

McClendon believes in the virtues of launch angle, but he’s quick to point out, it’s not for everybody.

“As an instructor, you have to know the strengths and weaknesses of each of your players and what’s going to work best,” he said. “I try to operate off that – past history, past success, what can…