As Jays’ closer, Batista needs to be a stand-up guy
Jays closer Miguel Batista is an interesting, if somewhat quirky, study. The oft- shaky ace went into last night’s game against the Mariners with a one-run lead and got his eighth blown save — in style.
It was a grand slam by Richie Sexson, with the Jays nursing a one-run lead. Batista loaded them up on two hits, a sacrifice and an intentional walk before Sexson unloaded. In his usual style, Batista was not available in the aftermath.
Batista doesn’t even bother with pretences. He declared at spring training that he was not going to speak, in order to concentrate on his new job.
“ Reporters report on the game they see, but they come to you afterwards to find out how you got the hitters out,” Batista said as part of a wide- ranging interview prior to last night’s contest. “ If I talk to you I’m going to have to lie to you. Anyone with any sense doesn’t want to let the hitters know his game plan.” He admitted that he seldom follows the advance scouting report when devising his approach to hitters. They are designed as a guide for pitchers with average stuff. He goes by his own experience. Which might be why his catcher visits the mound so often.
Last night it was reserve Ken Huckaby behind the plate, but there are times in save situations with regular starter Gregg Zaun catching when it looks as if not only are the two men not on the same page, they’re not even in the same library.
“ I like it that sometimes I want one pitch and he wants another,” Batista said. “ It means you have two people thinking. If we always agreed on every pitch, then I would worry. When Zaun comes to the mound I can ask him to explain why he wants a certain pitch, or I can tell him what I think. There are times I throw a pitch and I don’t know what pitch I want to throw next. I’d say we agree about 80 per cent of the time.” How unusual is this guy? His best friends in the organization are guys on the Rogers Centre grounds crew. The published author and poet quotes freely from Tom Seaver, Greg Maddux and Sandy Koufax and does a passable impression of former Expos manager Felipe Alou, who misused him, but taught a lesson about preparing to pitch every day.
Batista had a warning for fans and teammates about accepting and expecting the status quo for next year, even with regard to himself being back. Even though he won’t talk to reporters, he has his own sources.
“ If what I have been told is true, if this organization wants to win like they say, there are major changes coming,” Batista said, mysteriously. “ Some of the changes will shock you. I can’t tell you my sources. Nobody is untouchable.”
Usually, to be a premier majorleague closer a relief pitcher must combine a bit of eccentricity with the art of being a standup guy, forever available in front of his locker, win or lose. Former Jay Cliff Politte tried and failed. He couldn’t leave his failures at the ballpark. The two key words for Batista in his professional life seemed to be “ dignity” and “ respect.” But, at the same time, he doesn’t understand the arguments for being asked to stand up and talk to the media for himself and the history of great ones that have.
Batista doesn’t see that by not standing up for himself after a loss, he is forcing his teammates or the coaches to do the talking for him. That can be dangerous in the emotional afterglow of a loss for the catcher, Zaun, or the pitching coach, Brad Arnsberg, the two most likely people to be approached regarding a Batista blown save.
It has already led to some friction in the clubhouse.
It is likely, with one year left on a rather affordable contract, that he will be back as closer. If so, then GM J. P. Ricciardi should quietly let him know, early on, that for the sake of the fans, who would like to hear his thoughts, and for his teammates, who should not be forced to explain his failures, he must make himself available. It was good enough for Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers, Tom Henke, Mariano Rivera and Duane Ward.