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03-03-2003, 03:03 AM
Torres is armed with confidence in camp
Monday, March 03, 2003
By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Salomon Torres took some teasing from his teammates because he threw a lot of breaking balls in an exhibition game against Manatee Community College last week. But he doesn't apologize for throwing his nastiest stuff against college players.
"Listen, you put my little 17-month-old daughter at the plate, and I'm going to throw one fastball and three sliders. I am taking no prisoners," Torres said yesterday. "Even though they were college kids, they're hitters, and I wanted to get them out just as bad as major-leaguers."
Torres took the same "no prisoners" approach even when he was throwing live batting practice against his teammates. He got his chance against a big-league team yesterday, allowing one unearned run to the Reds on one hit as he became the first Pirates starter this spring to go three innings in an exhibition game.
In his mind, he's a completely different pitcher than the one who showed up for spring training a year ago trying to make it back after a self-imposed layoff of nearly five years.
"As far as strength, confidence and mechanics, it's a night-and-day difference from last year," said Torres, who will be 31 in eight days. "Last year, I was more hyped-up and happy to be here. This year, I understand more what I need to do. I understand the competition. I understand what's expected of me. I'm a little wiser."
Confident? Torres could make Dale Carnegie sound tentative. But don't forget, Torres climbed a mountain last year by making it back to the big leagues as a September call-up, then beat Tom Glavine in his first start.
"This game is all about confidence. Once you have the confidence, you can do wonders," Torres said. "I have nothing to lose. That's the way I look at it. I came back from a five-year vacation. I made it to the big leagues. This year, I want to show people I can do it on a consistent basis. If I don't do it, my dream already came true.
"This year, I want to establish myself as a pitcher and, hopefully, win 12, 15 maybe. I have the confidence and I know I have nothing to lose. Whether I make it with this organization, I know I'm going to be in the big leagues with somebody else. As long as I have my arm healthy. Teams are dying to get people like me and my arm."
Yesterday, Torres worked on spotting his fastball, and he and Manager Lloyd McClendon were pleased with the results.
"It was a clean outing for him," McClendon said. "Competition-wise, he knows it's stiff. He didn't do anything to hurt himself today."
Torres still isn't signed to a contract, although he has no real leverage. He can either sign by noon today for the same amount as he signed for last year, or the Pirates will renew it, at $10,000 less. After meeting with General Manager Dave Littlefield yesterday, Torres is leaning toward signing even if he is disappointed he wasn't offered a raise. Last year, he had a split deal that would have paid him $325,000 if he had made the roster.
Although he joked about writing a book or having Stephen Spielberg do the movie on his comeback, Torres said he's a lot more at ease this time around.
"I feel relaxed. I've never been in a situation like this, when I'm so aware of what's going on, what I need to do," Torres said. "The first time around, I was like too tense, tried to be too perfect. I didn't let my skills, my ability, take over because I was too tight."
But then again, he has a different perspective on life after having been away from the game.
"In any work you do, when you look at your job from outside, you know that life isn't as drastic as we make it," he said. "It's hard, but it's not as hard as we make it out to be."
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Robert Dvorchak can be reached at bdvorchak@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1959.
Monday, March 03, 2003
By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Salomon Torres took some teasing from his teammates because he threw a lot of breaking balls in an exhibition game against Manatee Community College last week. But he doesn't apologize for throwing his nastiest stuff against college players.
"Listen, you put my little 17-month-old daughter at the plate, and I'm going to throw one fastball and three sliders. I am taking no prisoners," Torres said yesterday. "Even though they were college kids, they're hitters, and I wanted to get them out just as bad as major-leaguers."
Torres took the same "no prisoners" approach even when he was throwing live batting practice against his teammates. He got his chance against a big-league team yesterday, allowing one unearned run to the Reds on one hit as he became the first Pirates starter this spring to go three innings in an exhibition game.
In his mind, he's a completely different pitcher than the one who showed up for spring training a year ago trying to make it back after a self-imposed layoff of nearly five years.
"As far as strength, confidence and mechanics, it's a night-and-day difference from last year," said Torres, who will be 31 in eight days. "Last year, I was more hyped-up and happy to be here. This year, I understand more what I need to do. I understand the competition. I understand what's expected of me. I'm a little wiser."
Confident? Torres could make Dale Carnegie sound tentative. But don't forget, Torres climbed a mountain last year by making it back to the big leagues as a September call-up, then beat Tom Glavine in his first start.
"This game is all about confidence. Once you have the confidence, you can do wonders," Torres said. "I have nothing to lose. That's the way I look at it. I came back from a five-year vacation. I made it to the big leagues. This year, I want to show people I can do it on a consistent basis. If I don't do it, my dream already came true.
"This year, I want to establish myself as a pitcher and, hopefully, win 12, 15 maybe. I have the confidence and I know I have nothing to lose. Whether I make it with this organization, I know I'm going to be in the big leagues with somebody else. As long as I have my arm healthy. Teams are dying to get people like me and my arm."
Yesterday, Torres worked on spotting his fastball, and he and Manager Lloyd McClendon were pleased with the results.
"It was a clean outing for him," McClendon said. "Competition-wise, he knows it's stiff. He didn't do anything to hurt himself today."
Torres still isn't signed to a contract, although he has no real leverage. He can either sign by noon today for the same amount as he signed for last year, or the Pirates will renew it, at $10,000 less. After meeting with General Manager Dave Littlefield yesterday, Torres is leaning toward signing even if he is disappointed he wasn't offered a raise. Last year, he had a split deal that would have paid him $325,000 if he had made the roster.
Although he joked about writing a book or having Stephen Spielberg do the movie on his comeback, Torres said he's a lot more at ease this time around.
"I feel relaxed. I've never been in a situation like this, when I'm so aware of what's going on, what I need to do," Torres said. "The first time around, I was like too tense, tried to be too perfect. I didn't let my skills, my ability, take over because I was too tight."
But then again, he has a different perspective on life after having been away from the game.
"In any work you do, when you look at your job from outside, you know that life isn't as drastic as we make it," he said. "It's hard, but it's not as hard as we make it out to be."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Dvorchak can be reached at bdvorchak@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1959.