PITCH FORWARD
Gose transitions from outfield to mound in effort to save career
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Every once in a while you run into a spring training story that shows why this time of year is so different. And fun.
It’s about following a dream, whatever it takes against long odds.
If you have to reinvent yourself to survive in baseball like so many people have to do in life these days, just do it.
Welcome to Anthony Gose’s new world.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound center fielder with the electric left arm and .240/.309/.348 slash line over 372 major league games is in camp with the World Series champion Astros, trying to make it as a relief pitcher.
He’s got a chance. He throws 100.
The Astros are not afraid to do things differently and Gose, snatched from the Rangers in the Rule 5 draft, put on a show in the bullpen the other day.
He first tried to make the transition with the Tigers last season in the minors, but had no clue what he was doing. He had never picked up a baseball in the winter to train like a pitcher. He used to laugh at pitchers.
He was winging it from the start and paid the price with some elbow issues.
It’s different now. He trained over the winter. He did pitching exercises. He stretched. He built up his arm. Now he is ready to compete. Go for the Gose.
He calls his looping curve ball: “A curve ball from hell.’’
As for his fastball. His confidence is high as well. Why? “I throw 100,’’ he said flatly. Being lefty doesn’t hurt either. With the struggles Tony Sipp has faced the past few years, Gose, 27, has a chance to open some eyes with the Astros. Hey, Rick Ankiel made the transition from pitcher to outfield with the Cardinals, this is a reverse Ankiel.
Former Met and Yankee Ike Davis, also a lefty, is trying to make the switch from first baseman to pitcher after not pitching since his days at Arizona State.
Baseball life forced this change on Gose.
“It sucked,’’ Gose said of making the switch. “I didn’t want to do it. It’s kind of one of those things, you got to look and take what you got. The opportunities to play outfield were running slim and I’m lefty and I throw a hundred, how many guys do that?’’ Indeed. “I know I could do it, I’ve always had a good arm since I was a little kid. I had a great arm in the outfield. I’ve always had it. If I throw strikes and can get guys out, that’s what we’re about to find out.’’
Gose could possibly be used as a pinch-runner as well, or go from the mound to the outfield and then back to the mound if the matchups dictate that move, but he has to throw strikes first. Does he idolize any pitchers? “I just idolize Anthony Gose,’’ the former Blue Jay said. “I just go out there and do what I can do. Ain’t no sense in trying to be nobody else on the mound. You’ve got to go out there and be yourself.’’
There is no nonsense from Gose. He is committed to the switch in a most refreshing way.
“I’m here,’’ he said. “This is the way back to the big leagues. If you want to play in the big leagues, get on board, if not, get on home.’’
Last year was a challenge at Single-A Lakeland over 10 2/3 innings (14 strikeouts, six walks, 7.59 ERA).
“My first few outings I couldn’t throw strikes and then [pitching coach Mark Johnson] made some adjustments with me and taught me about a few things and the last few outings I had before my arm started having problems I was kind of dialed throwing strikes and was ready to pitch,’’ Gose said. “I’ll miss hitting, I’ll miss it all, going out there every day. As a pitcher, you sit on the bench and you wait and wait and wait. I got a lot of innings in the outfield, got to get on TV, make some catches and throw some guys out, I had a great time.’’
It’s a whole new ballgame for Anthony Gose.
“I just get out there and throw it, I don’t care who’s hitting,’’ Gose said.
His only chance in this new baseball world.