yagsy
07-26-2005, 10:51 PM
GREAT article on two kids that have made their MLB debuts to give the Padres something positive to take with them from an abysmal East Coast road trip. These kids look to have bright futures and hopefully we'll see more of them at some point. :banana:
WE LOVE PRE-PODS :cheer: :jump: :cheer:
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http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050725&content_id=1144283&vkey=news_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/images/2005/07/25/sAkjORXs.jpg
07/25/2005 12:32 PM ET
Rookie pair makes its mark for Padres
Hensley, Breslow show promise over tough weekend
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com
Craig Breslow returned to Double-A with 1 2/3 shutout ML innings under his belt (Chip English/BayBears)
PHILADELPHIA -- Clay Hensley's excellent adventure continues. On a trip the rest of the Padres would like to forget, Hensley, a 25-year-old rookie right-hander from the Houston area, made a surprising mark as a pitcher with a future.
And that's not all. Hensley actually became big brother to another young Padres arm, Craig Breslow, during the lefty's one-day Philly fling on Saturday.
"That was weird," Hensley said, grinning. "I'm still trying to figure things out, and here I am giving Craig advice."
Breslow was called up for one day from Double-A Mobile to plug a hole in the bullpen. He pitched 1 2/3 innings, striking out three Phillies while giving up a hit and a walk, before returning to the BayBears on Sunday with a few stories to tell.
Signed by the Padres for $1 out of a February tryout in Arizona, following his release by the Brewers on July 4, 2004, Breslow, 24, put up solid numbers in relief in Mobile.
When Padres general manager Kevin Towers asked for someone who could throw strikes, preferably a lefty, Breslow -- a pitcher Towers never had seen -- was nominated. The GM personally gave Breslow the news.
And so, the kid with the biochemistry degree from Yale boarded a flight in Jackson, Miss., at 4:30 a.m. on Sunday. He caught a connection in Atlanta, landed in Philadelphia and immediately headed for the ballpark, where he was handed a uniform and introduced to pitching coach Darren Balsley.
In the seventh inning, Breslow was handed the ball, and here came Jason Michaels, a pinch-hitter. Breslow stared at Hernandez's glove -- diverting his eyes from the tiered stadium, at the advice of Hensley -- and struck out Michaels.
Next came leadoff man Jimmy Rollins. Down went Rollins, swinging.
When Kenny Lofton grounded out, the kid nobody knew or noticed in the clubhouse earlier had pitched a perfect inning in the Major Leagues.
In the eighth, Chase Utley, who had homered in two of his previous four at-bats, including a walk-off in the 11th on Friday night, grounded out. Bobby Abreu walked, and Pat Burrell singled him to center. Manager Bruce Bochy gave Breslow one more batter, left-handed swinging Ryan Howard, and Breslow caught him looking at a third strike.
"If he never pitches another Major League game, he's got a 0.00 ERA for life," Balsley said.
Looking like the college kid he was until recently, Breslow talked about the "whirlwind" experience and how he hopefully proved to the club -- and himself -- that he could succeed at this level. Then it was off to the Padres' hotel for one night of luxury before returning to the more Spartan quarters of Double-A ball.
What Breslow would find out later is that he made himself a nice raise for his amazing day in the big time. Added up, the trip was worth $22,152 to Breslow: the $1,726.78 one-day minimum salary, and the difference between the $1,500 monthly salary he had been earning and the $20,426 he'll be making at minimum salary for a player on the 40-man roster.
Rest assured that windfall, though certainly appreciated, would be nothing compared to the experience.
Hensley also had a whirlwind week, but he's had a few days now to catch his breath. His debut came on Wednesday night at Shea Stadium, one day after being summoned from Triple-A Portland.
Diverting his eyes from the massive ballpark, Hensley trained his sights on Hernandez's glove and retired six of the seven Mets he faced, walking one and striking out one. He set down the heart of the order -- Mike Cameron, Carlos Beltran and Cliff Floyd -- one-two-three in his first Major League inning.
It was more of the same two nights later in Citizens Bank Park. This time, Hensley retired all six Phillies he faced, striking out one. He'd set down 12 of the 13 hitters he faced, his mind filled with the wonder of it all throughout.
On Sunday, Hensley came down to earth somewhat, giving up a run and five hits in two innings of relief. That still left him with a sparkling 1.50 ERA in three Major League appearances.
"He's probably been our best [Minor League] pitcher the past year and a half," Towers said. "It's great to see a kid like that come up and take advantage of the opportunity. Breslow, too. That's a really cool story."
Acquired from the Giants in a 2003 deal that sent veteran reliever Matt Herges to San Francisco, Hensley said he'd take a hotel room for a few days in San Diego before bunking with fellow rookie Tim Stauffer for a while.
"Everything's on a completely different scale," said Hensley, whose mother in Pearland, Texas, wept the night he made his debut in New York. "I try not to look up and get involved with the crowd. I stayed focused on the hitters."
Hensley remembered something longtime closer Trevor Hoffman had told him during Spring Training in Arizona.
"We had a talk," Hensley said, "and he told me, 'Either you can let the situation get a hold of you, or you can take all that energy and harness it toward the plate.' That's what I explained to Craig when we were walking out to the bullpen [Saturday] before the game. I also told him when [Balsley] had told me about making sure you enjoy it.
"[Breslow] said he could do this. He was pretty confident. I'm still very new to this, and it would be very easy to get overwhelmed and let it take hold of you."
Breslow was fortunate to have Hensley, a fellow rook just finding his way, to lean on that Saturday afternoon in Philly. In the midst of a losing spell, the Padres weren't in the most vibrant of spirits.
"He was pretty excited," Hensley said of his initial meeting with Breslow. "He was asking me how he should act, and I said to keep to yourself, don't be too loud."
As Breslow sat on a leather couch, minding his own business Saturday morning, his teammates for a day appeared to have no idea who he was. They would find out later, when he took the mound and shut down the Phillies, that this Craig guy, like that Clay guy, knows how to pitch.
Lyle Spencer is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
WE LOVE PRE-PODS :cheer: :jump: :cheer:
************************************************** ***
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050725&content_id=1144283&vkey=news_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/images/2005/07/25/sAkjORXs.jpg
07/25/2005 12:32 PM ET
Rookie pair makes its mark for Padres
Hensley, Breslow show promise over tough weekend
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com
Craig Breslow returned to Double-A with 1 2/3 shutout ML innings under his belt (Chip English/BayBears)
PHILADELPHIA -- Clay Hensley's excellent adventure continues. On a trip the rest of the Padres would like to forget, Hensley, a 25-year-old rookie right-hander from the Houston area, made a surprising mark as a pitcher with a future.
And that's not all. Hensley actually became big brother to another young Padres arm, Craig Breslow, during the lefty's one-day Philly fling on Saturday.
"That was weird," Hensley said, grinning. "I'm still trying to figure things out, and here I am giving Craig advice."
Breslow was called up for one day from Double-A Mobile to plug a hole in the bullpen. He pitched 1 2/3 innings, striking out three Phillies while giving up a hit and a walk, before returning to the BayBears on Sunday with a few stories to tell.
Signed by the Padres for $1 out of a February tryout in Arizona, following his release by the Brewers on July 4, 2004, Breslow, 24, put up solid numbers in relief in Mobile.
When Padres general manager Kevin Towers asked for someone who could throw strikes, preferably a lefty, Breslow -- a pitcher Towers never had seen -- was nominated. The GM personally gave Breslow the news.
And so, the kid with the biochemistry degree from Yale boarded a flight in Jackson, Miss., at 4:30 a.m. on Sunday. He caught a connection in Atlanta, landed in Philadelphia and immediately headed for the ballpark, where he was handed a uniform and introduced to pitching coach Darren Balsley.
In the seventh inning, Breslow was handed the ball, and here came Jason Michaels, a pinch-hitter. Breslow stared at Hernandez's glove -- diverting his eyes from the tiered stadium, at the advice of Hensley -- and struck out Michaels.
Next came leadoff man Jimmy Rollins. Down went Rollins, swinging.
When Kenny Lofton grounded out, the kid nobody knew or noticed in the clubhouse earlier had pitched a perfect inning in the Major Leagues.
In the eighth, Chase Utley, who had homered in two of his previous four at-bats, including a walk-off in the 11th on Friday night, grounded out. Bobby Abreu walked, and Pat Burrell singled him to center. Manager Bruce Bochy gave Breslow one more batter, left-handed swinging Ryan Howard, and Breslow caught him looking at a third strike.
"If he never pitches another Major League game, he's got a 0.00 ERA for life," Balsley said.
Looking like the college kid he was until recently, Breslow talked about the "whirlwind" experience and how he hopefully proved to the club -- and himself -- that he could succeed at this level. Then it was off to the Padres' hotel for one night of luxury before returning to the more Spartan quarters of Double-A ball.
What Breslow would find out later is that he made himself a nice raise for his amazing day in the big time. Added up, the trip was worth $22,152 to Breslow: the $1,726.78 one-day minimum salary, and the difference between the $1,500 monthly salary he had been earning and the $20,426 he'll be making at minimum salary for a player on the 40-man roster.
Rest assured that windfall, though certainly appreciated, would be nothing compared to the experience.
Hensley also had a whirlwind week, but he's had a few days now to catch his breath. His debut came on Wednesday night at Shea Stadium, one day after being summoned from Triple-A Portland.
Diverting his eyes from the massive ballpark, Hensley trained his sights on Hernandez's glove and retired six of the seven Mets he faced, walking one and striking out one. He set down the heart of the order -- Mike Cameron, Carlos Beltran and Cliff Floyd -- one-two-three in his first Major League inning.
It was more of the same two nights later in Citizens Bank Park. This time, Hensley retired all six Phillies he faced, striking out one. He'd set down 12 of the 13 hitters he faced, his mind filled with the wonder of it all throughout.
On Sunday, Hensley came down to earth somewhat, giving up a run and five hits in two innings of relief. That still left him with a sparkling 1.50 ERA in three Major League appearances.
"He's probably been our best [Minor League] pitcher the past year and a half," Towers said. "It's great to see a kid like that come up and take advantage of the opportunity. Breslow, too. That's a really cool story."
Acquired from the Giants in a 2003 deal that sent veteran reliever Matt Herges to San Francisco, Hensley said he'd take a hotel room for a few days in San Diego before bunking with fellow rookie Tim Stauffer for a while.
"Everything's on a completely different scale," said Hensley, whose mother in Pearland, Texas, wept the night he made his debut in New York. "I try not to look up and get involved with the crowd. I stayed focused on the hitters."
Hensley remembered something longtime closer Trevor Hoffman had told him during Spring Training in Arizona.
"We had a talk," Hensley said, "and he told me, 'Either you can let the situation get a hold of you, or you can take all that energy and harness it toward the plate.' That's what I explained to Craig when we were walking out to the bullpen [Saturday] before the game. I also told him when [Balsley] had told me about making sure you enjoy it.
"[Breslow] said he could do this. He was pretty confident. I'm still very new to this, and it would be very easy to get overwhelmed and let it take hold of you."
Breslow was fortunate to have Hensley, a fellow rook just finding his way, to lean on that Saturday afternoon in Philly. In the midst of a losing spell, the Padres weren't in the most vibrant of spirits.
"He was pretty excited," Hensley said of his initial meeting with Breslow. "He was asking me how he should act, and I said to keep to yourself, don't be too loud."
As Breslow sat on a leather couch, minding his own business Saturday morning, his teammates for a day appeared to have no idea who he was. They would find out later, when he took the mound and shut down the Phillies, that this Craig guy, like that Clay guy, knows how to pitch.
Lyle Spencer is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.