When It Clicked
Ryan Speier
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The "click" is different for fringe major leaguers than it is for superstars, who in many cases already are blessed with the talent and the background to succeed but merely need to learn how to harness their gifts. And then there is someone like Speier, a relief pitcher from West Springfield High who had an undistinguished career at Radford University, and wasn't even drafted when he graduated. But after a strong showing in the Cape Cod League, he signed as a free agent with Colorado in 2001 -- and four years later he was in the majors.
"I think the biggest thing was [that the] coaches that have worked with me have found a role for me in the game situations that put me in the greatest likelihood to have success. . . . As a reliever my freshman year [at Radford], I was pretty good. And then I tried being a longer relief guy, and finally I tried being a starter my last year. And then I went over to play summer ball and the coach had me relieving again. I didn't have the kind of personality to pace myself [as a starter]. I like to go full speed for a brief amount of time.
"That, and also I developed a change-up, which was huge. I had always had problems [retiring] lefties, and they still give me trouble, moreso than right-handed hitters. But that [pitch] definitely helped. [The change-up is] still kind of a work in progress. But that summer in the Cape Cod League, 2001, was when I first found a grip that I was comfortable with.
"I still was kind of cruising a little bit. I wasn't going through the motions, but I didn't feel I had the greatest control over my career. I was going to go out there and use what I had, but I kind of felt a little inadequate until probably 2004, [which] was kind of a breakout year for me. I felt really confident in my ability for the first time -- being able to command all three of my pitches.
"I think [the lack of confidence] came from a lack of success, actually -- from getting beat up a little bit. And then finally I had had enough successful situations to where I could see what made that happen and try to repeat that."
-- Interview by Dave Sheinin
