Slugger Mel Ott Hit To Win Focus On Goals: His drive to be the best put him in the Baseball Hall of Fame.(LEADERS & SUCCESS)

Byline: MICHAEL RICHMAN

It was the spring of 1928, and Mel Ott was looking good. He'd hit .383 and .282 in his first two seasons with the New York Giants. But he had just one home run.

Ott (1909-58) wasn't satisfied. He wanted to develop into more of a power hitter, so he put his mind to it. He began investing hours with Giant hitting instructor Frank O'Doul in one-on-one sessions.

At the time, the left-handed Ott lifted and lowered his right leg slightly as he waited for a pitch. O'Doul told Ott to lift the right leg, which was in front, much higher so as to move his weight more forcefully into the pitch and provide more power in the swing.

Ott listened. He knew he needed to exert all possible strength out of his 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame.

He worked on the stance over and over in spring training. He'd keep his feet wide apart, then raise his right leg to knee height as the pitcher was preparing to throw the ball. Just before it arrived, he'd quickly plant the same leg on the ground and lash out at the ball. Upon contact, he put every ounce of his weight into the ball.

Ott wanted to make sure the high leg kick didn't prevent him from hitting pitches at or near his feet. So he took a steady stream of low, inside pitches every day in practice. He soon mastered the ability to hit low pitches with proficiency.