		FocalAnLae	“Absolutely, especially when we go over lineups and tendencies and how to attack guys,” Bennett said. “Obviously, he has a totally different perspective than, say, a pitching coach who’s a pitcher. At lot of times when you’re behind the plate, you see things no one else sees, the way guys react.” With no firsthand experience to impart, Duncan cannot compare his pitchers to himself. Reliever Randy Flores, who has stuck with St. Louis after meandering through three other organizations, said that was important. “Maybe because he was a catcher, he doesn’t try to make everybody throw like him,” Flores said. “He lets you be you.” The same philosophy applies to Chris Duncan, who hung around the A’s when his father was a coach and idolized the slugger Mark McGwire more than he admired any pitcher. (McGwire remains close to the family; he recently tutored Shelly Duncan for three days.)
		FocalAnLae	Dave Duncan is a vigorous defender of his sons, to the point that La Russa used a news conference before Game 1 to warn a newspaper that criticized Chris Duncan’s outfield defense. “I would suggest them staying away from Dunc, because they called Chris brutal,” La Russa said. “I would fear for their safety, whoever is associated with that scouting report, because he would hurt them.” Duncan explained that Chris is new to playing the outfield and would be a good defensive player in time. He also said Shelly could be a major leaguer if given the chance. For all his positive reinforcement, Duncan said he essentially must stand back and let his sons’ careers play out. He is hands-on with pitchers, but sons are different. “You never like to see someone you love disappointed,” Duncan said. “But this is a very difficult game to make it in, and if you can’t deal with adversity, you’ll never make it. You just have to understand it will be there.”