Both Vizquel and Thome describe a hitting binge as an experience that borders on the mystical. Hitting and not hitting are different sides of the same coin. That's what gets you in trouble. Easier said than done. More than likely, a guy in a hitting slump will drive home and take a few thousand swings in front of the bedroom mirror.
Confidence can come and go with changes in the weather or after a bad haircut.
Thome insists that once a game is over, he can forget it and look ahead. Playing for awhile helps you do that. You can never have a good game and think you have it figured out. One filled with fresh mysteries to solve.