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The Cardinals 1996 regular season contained several pitching highlights.
That four of the starting pitchers reached double figures in victories (Andy Benes, 18; Todd Stottlemyre, 14; Alan Benes and Donovan Osborne, 13 each) attested to the strength of the starting rotation.
Indeed, that foursome combined to post a 58-40 1996 W-L record.
But there were four relievers on the '96 Cardinals staff that saw action in more than 60 games: Dennis Eckersley, Tony Fossas, Rick Honeycutt, and T.J. Mathews.
And those four pitchers' combined 1996 W-L record was a meager 4-17.
Yes, that same group of four relievers did their jobs reasonably well as closers, combining for 42 of the team's 43 saves (with Eckersley leading the way with 30).
But simple arithmetic--namely, that the Cardinals finished
the regular season 14 games over .500 (88-74), demands that a
pitcher or two balance out the less-than-stellar 4-17 W-L record
posted by the "short men".
In 1996, that pitcher was Mark Petkovsek, who was another of the strengths of a first-rate staff of pitchers.
Referred to by Cardinals' broadcasters Joe Buck and Bob Carpenter as "The Lucky Charm", Petkovsek's 1996 won-loss record was 11-2.
In 48 appearances, Petkovsek was truly a jack-of-all-trades, starting six games and finishing seven. That kind of versatility is important in a pitching staff, and especially important in a Tony La Russa pitching staff that includes three forty-something relievers.
So Petkovsek's main role in 1996 was in long relief...and he parlayed a strong string of mid-season outings into a position of prominence in La Russa' bullpen at season's end.
Indeed, as the '96 season drew to a close, Petkovsek was brought in to put out fires in important games...not just mop up in out-of-reach contests.
Which
was quite an accomplishment for a player who, up until May of
1995, had spent the vast majority of his eight professional seasons
in the minor leagues.
It isn't hard to imagine that eight years riding buses on hot summer nights would test a man's patience.
And it seems that a dose of street smarts would come in handy, too...as that man pursued his dream.
Patience, street smarts, and a wry sense of humor--three qualities possessed by Mark Petkovsek.
During last year's playoffs, the nation's baseball fans learned that Petkovsek has an ample supply of both.
FOX-TV's Tim McCarver, while on the air with Joe Buck, chuckled out loud while telling the audience what happened after asking Petkovsek about his pitching approach to lefthanded hitters.
"[Petkovsek] looked at me straight in the eye, paused for a moment, and said 'I don't think I want to talk about that right now'," said McCarver.
McCarver obviously got a charge out of his "conversation" with Petkovsek. And this reporter got a charge out of listening to McCarver tell the story, because it so aptly describes Mark Petkovsek.
During spring training this past March, Petkovsek was asked about his post-season pre-game chat with McCarver.
"Yeah, I remember that. After he said it, later when I saw him I told him that 'my family told me what you said...and I liked the way you played it...I didn't mean it that I wasn't going to tell you...I just laughed and I just meant that, at that time, I really didn't want to talk about then'. And he totally understood ."
From there, Petkovsek talked some about his '97 spring...and the '97 season...and how things are different for him this year.
"Last year I had tightness in spring training...and I just kept cranking it up higher and higher and higher. I think that gave me the inflammation I had in the shoulder (ED NOTE: Petkovsek started the '96 season in the minors on an injury rehabilitation assignment). This year I went real slow in getting up to top speed...when I'm warming up, I'll go at it real slow.
"Last year, I came in really trying to knock some eyes out...and this year I came in more with an attitude that I've got to show them that I'm still capable of doing it...I had good fortune last year at getting people out...and that's going to go a long ways so I don't have to crank it up so soon and I can go at it more gradually.
"'This season, I think I could improve in my first hitter retired...as far as roles ...this year will be the same as last year....whatever's available right now. If I end up in that starting role, then I could start for a week, and then for ten days I could be in the bullpen.
"It gives me peace of mind to think that I'm valuable in that sense. It's nice to think that a manager thinks of you...not as a go-to guy...but somebody that he can count on if somebody breaks down to give him some innings starting or relieving...that gives me an uplifted attitude."
"I really feel comfortable when Tony uses me the way that he thinks I best fit the team."
And finally, Petkovsek looked back on his '96 season...
"I started on the DL...and when I got off there was a starting job available. I took about three starts, then when Mike Morgan came back, I was in the 'pen. I really thought I would be bouncing back and forth between the pen and starting because of injuries and tired arms...but, nobody broke down. It was a really unusual year for a starting staff. So I stayed in the bullpen for the whole year.
"You struggle with [bullpen duty]. It's something that you have to get used to, and slowly as the season progresses you develop a routine, for everything from running to weightlifting to warming up before you go into pitch. I used to warm up in the bullpen, when I start, to get game ready...to make the curveball sharp. But in relief it's just to warm up. I'm not trying to have my nasty curve or sinker...I'm just trying to get loose.
"I think I wore myself out in years past trying to make everything perfect in the bullpen."
"I did get in a good groove late...from August on. I had that locked-in feeling a lot of my pitches were working good.
"I remember, early in the season, I had a blown save vs. the Cubs...after that Dave Duncan told me 'you've got to think why he put you in that situation. He thinks you're the guy that can help us the most in that particular situation'.
"That's really helped me...and I try to think about that all the time...that 'I'm not just a last resort...I'm in that role because [La Russa] thinks I'm the best chance' against those particular hitters or that particular team.
"I caught myself facing a few lefties in situations...early on I faced some...so later I didn't try to figure out when I would be coming out. There's a danger there. I dont' think [facing lefthanders] is a load that's too much to ask. I feel comfortable against lefties..I use all my pitches against lefties."
There's part of your answer, Tim McCarver.
But don't count on wiggling any more pitching secrets out of Mark Petkovsek.
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