[新聞] Promising Young Pitchers Are Treated With Kid Gloves

[leddy (耿秋)]

Promising Young Pitchers Are Treated With Kid Gloves

By JACK CURRY
Published: September 11, 2007

重點: 細心照護年輕的投手已是大聯盟球隊的共識

1. 當Clay Buchholz為紅襪隊投出無安打比賽的10天後, 洋基的Joba Chamberlain傳送了
   一段祝賀的簡訊給Buchholz。Buchholz和張伯倫兩個月前是未來之星(Future Games)
   的隊友。除了貼心的祝福外, 張伯倫也告訴八扣子去享受他的休息日。紅襪為了保護
   八扣子珍貴的右手臂, 決定本季將不再排定他為先發。張伯倫開始習慣了具有一條珍
   貴的手臂的照顧方式, 就是好像有時候須把手臂包裹在防震泡膜以避免損傷。

2. 一個大聯盟持續採納的趨勢, 就是費心的球隊已經變得很注意如何照護年輕的投手。
   在避免再一次的肩部或肘部的傷害可能危害投手的前提下, 洋基的總經理現金人對於
   張伯倫使用的嚴格監督絕不讓步。現金人說: "年輕的投手是洋基的資產。簽下年輕的
   球員發展他們的能力，卻不小心的照顧是相當愚蠢的，我不可能不去注意一些專家對
   年輕投手使用的建議。"

3. 當洋基到芬威球場從週五開始與紅襪進行客場的三連戰時，無法預測的是兩個競爭如
   此激烈的球隊之間會發生什麼事。但可以預測的一些事則是，Buchholz和張伯倫兩人
   應該會發生什麼事。洋基對張伯倫的喬巴封印條款是他投一局則休一天投兩局則需休
   兩天，如此張伯倫將不會連續兩場出賽。八扣子的說明書則可能是他每五天才後援一
   次，所以這三場比賽他可能可以出賽一次。

4. 紅襪的總經理Theo Epstein說: "好投手是很難找到的, 實際上是不太可能從自由市
   場找到好投手。就算你找到了, 也要付出相當昂貴的代價。所以年輕的投手是極端
   貴重的球隊資產。"

5. 但是, 是不是大聯盟的球隊對相當小心地照顧這些有天份的投手呢? 76歲的Jack
   McKeon曾在2003年擔任馬林魚隊的總教練同時贏得了世界大賽冠軍的頭銜，他說名人
   堂的投手Bob Feller, Tom Seaver和Don Sutton曾告訴他說，他們相信年輕的投手投
   球之次數其實不太足夠。McKeon說："我是守舊派，你投得場數越多，你就會變得越好
   。"是否張伯倫連續投兩天他的手臂就會受傷了? 八扣子拿到無安打比賽那天投了115
   球,假如八扣子需要投超過120球才拿得到無安打比賽，他是否就會經歷手臂的傷痛呢?
   紅襪隊後來透露，他們會在120球時把Buchholz投下場，即使當時還是無安打的狀況。

6. McKeon提到了1959年到1983年在大聯盟贏了283場的投手Jim Kaat時，他表示: "當
   我在小聯盟當總教練，19歲的Jim Kaat就是隊上的投手，那年他為球隊投了250局，
   他的手臂卻可以用了25年之後才報銷。

7. 現金人和Epstein解釋每個球隊都有球員發展的會議，會議中在設立每位投手出賽使用
   日程計畫前，他們都會廣徵所有球隊主管們的意見。球隊會為投手設立局數和投球數
   的門檻，設定未出賽時訓練的計畫，並決定每位投手的投球狀況需要做何提昇的改進。
   現金人說已經有顯著的統計資料證實，一個投手年輕時手臂負擔越重，以後這個投手越
   需要做越多的調適，也越可能有受傷的危險。雖然現金人歡迎任何其他的意見，但他認
   為他不可能接受以"我們過去的習慣投手就是這樣用的"來當作合理的論點。

8. 現金人提到了Bill Pulsipher, Paul Wilson和Jason Isringhausen，這三位1990年代
　 中期大都會隊中大有前途的三位新秀投手，他們都歷經了各種手臂的傷痛和復出的挫
   敗。K世代對於照顧年輕投手的重大性變成了深具重大啟發意義的證據A(Exhibit A)。
   後來只有Isringhausen成為紅雀隊的救援投手，只有他能夠東山再起有了強壯長久的
   棒球生涯。現金人表示: "你從K世代所學得到就是這些教訓。"

9. Epstein說他覺得紅襪已經變得太過順從年輕投手的養成計畫, 所以本季他們大約增加
   年輕投手的局數和投球數大約一成到一成五。他拒絕說出明確的數字，但是大部份的
   球隊每年不會讓小聯盟的投手增加局數超過40局。Epstein表示: "我們不是在溺愛任
   何選手。"

10. 就球隊的養成計畫而言，總還是不太容易想到Bucchholz或張伯倫會在今年冒出頭。
  　21歲的張伯倫他明年球季會回到先發輪值裡, 在他小聯盟三個層級的成績是9勝2敗
　　2.45的自責失分率。他仰賴他的快速球和滑球成為一個後援投手，目前在大聯盟
    14又1/3局的投球裡還沒有失分的紀錄。一個23歲已經在生涯第二度先發拿到無安
    打比賽的Buchholz, 實在讓紅襪隊很難抗拒地想讓他先發，但紅襪隊必須忍住這個
　　念頭。八扣子本季已經投了143又1/3局, 已經接近紅襪今年為他設下(未具體說明
    的)投球限制。因為Buchholz在他的無安打比賽之前還未在一場比賽裡投超過98球,
    所以紅襪表示假如他投球達到120球的限制將會將他換下場。Epstein說這說來"似
    乎很荒謬"，但是他支持這是一種保護投手的方式，因為八扣子已經比他生涯單場
    投出的球數多出了22球。Epstein表示:"假如你讓一個投手變成肩旋轉袖斷裂(torn
    rotator cuff)或手臂過度疲勞, 你將不會有第二次重來的機會。"

11. 張伯倫和八扣子將成為季後賽期的萬能鬼牌(wild cards), 兩位年輕休息足夠的選
　  手準備對關鍵時刻產生作用。Epstein不願意談論Buchholz是否有機會進入季後賽出
    賽球員的名單，但是若將他的名字刪掉又實在令人太過意外。

12. 現金人則信守保護張伯倫的封印真言，即使洋基在危機緊要的關頭時都不能例外。假
    如洋基在九月底爭取外卡，需要張伯倫連續兩天出賽時，現金人說他們也不會偏離
　　原先對張伯倫設下的保護計畫。現金人說: "我寧願用短期的痛苦換取長期的利益。"


After Clay Buchholz twirled a no-hitter for the Boston Red Sox 10 days ago,
Joba Chamberlain of the Yankees sent him a congratulatory text message.
Buchholz and Chamberlain were teammates at the Futures Game two months ago.

In addition to the kind words, Chamberlain could have also told Buchholz to
enjoy his rest. The Red Sox are protecting Buchholz’s valuable right arm and
are not scheduled to start him again this season. Chamberlain is familiar
with having a precious arm that sometimes feels as if it were covered in
bubble wrap.

One of the continuing trends in the major leagues is how diligent teams have
become about safeguarding young pitchers. With the next shoulder or elbow
injury potentially an awkward pitch away, Brian Cashman, the general manager
of the Yankees, offered no apologies for strictly monitoring Chamberlain’s
usage.

“These are assets,” Cashman said. “It would be stupid to draft them and
develop them and not take care of them. I couldn’t care less what people say.
”

When the Yankees travel to Boston for a three-game series that begins Friday,
it is impossible to predict what will happen between teams that are known for
playing compelling games. But it is possible to forecast some of what will
happen with Buchholz and Chamberlain.

The Yankees’ Joba Rules call for Chamberlain to rest a day if he pitches an
inning and to rest two days if he pitches two innings; he is not to appear in
back-to-back games. The book on Buchholz is that he will probably relieve
every five days, so he could make one appearance.

“Pitching is so hard to find,” said Theo Epstein, Boston’s general
manager. “It’s virtually impossible to find on the free-agent market. If
you find it, it’s extremely expensive. Young pitching is an extremely
valuable asset.”

But are the teams being too cautious with these talented pitchers? Jack
McKeon, 76, who managed the 2003 Florida Marlins to a World Series title,
said the Hall of Famer pitchers Bob Feller, Tom Seaver and Don Sutton have
told him that they believe young pitchers do not throw often enough.

“I’m from the old school,” McKeon said. “The more you throw, the better
you are.”

Would Chamberlain’s arm hurt if he pitched two consecutive days? Buchholz
tossed 115 pitches in his no-hitter. Would Buchholz have experienced pain if
he needed more than 120 to get it? The Red Sox later disclosed that they
would have removed Buchholz at 120, even if the no-hitter was intact.

“I had Jim Kaat as a 19-year-old in the minor leagues and he threw about 250
innings for me,” McKeon said, referring to a pitcher who won 283 games in
the majors from 1959 to 1983. “I guess his arm gave out after 25 years.”

Cashman and Epstein explained how each team has player development meetings
in which they poll team executives before outlining exhaustive daily plans
for every pitcher. The teams establish thresholds for innings and pitch
counts, set off-day workout plans and determine what pitches a pitcher needs
to refine.

Cashman said there was significant statistical data to prove that the more a
young arm is taxed, the more a pitcher tries to make adjustments and the more
susceptible he can be to injury. Although Cashman welcomes any input, he said
he did not accept “this is the way we used to do it” as a valid argument.

“You learn from Generation K,” Cashman said, referring to Bill Pulsipher,
Paul Wilson and Jason Isringhausen, three promising young pitchers for the
Mets in the mid 1990s who experienced various arm ailments and fizzled.
Generation K became a revealing Exhibit A about the importance of caring for
young pitchers. Only Isringhausen, the closer for the St. Louis Cardinals,
has rebounded to have a strong, sustained career.

Epstein said he felt that the Red Sox had become too passive with their
program, so they increased their innings and pitch counts by about 10 to 15
percent this season. He declined to be specific about numbers, but most teams
do not let minor leaguers increase their innings by more than 40 a year.

“We don’t baby anybody,” Epstein said.

Still, as much as the teams plan, it is not always easy to envision the
emergence of a Buchholz or a Chamberlain. Chamberlain, 21, who will be
returned to the rotation next season, went 9-2 with a 2.45 earned run average
at three minor league levels. He is depending on a fastball and a slider as a
reliever and has not allowed a run in 14 1/3 innings.

As tempting as it would be for the Red Sox to start Buchholz, a 23-year-old
who had a no-hitter in his second career start, they have resisted. Buchholz
has already thrown 143 1/3 innings this season, which is close to the
unspecified total Boston set as his limit. He has a devastating curveball, a
fastball and a changeup.

Since Buchholz had never thrown more than 98 pitches in a game before his
no-hitter, the Red Sox said they would have replaced him if he had reached
the 120-pitch limit. Epstein said it might “seem ridiculous,” but he
defended it as a way to protect a pitcher who would have already thrown 22
more pitches than he had thrown in his life. “If you get one torn rotator
cuff or one over-fatigued arm, you don’t get a second chance,” Epstein said.

Chamberlain and Buchholz will be interesting wild cards during the playoffs,
a couple of young, rested pitchers ready to have an impact. Epstein would not
discuss Buchholz’s chances of being on the postseason roster, but it would
be surprising if he was omitted.

Cashman stuck to his mantra about protecting Chamberlain, even if it put the
Yankees in a perilous spot. If the Yankees were fighting for the wild card in
late September and needed Chamberlain to pitch on two consecutive days,
Cashman said they would not stray from their protective plan.

“I’m O.K. with the short-term pain for the long-term gain,” Cashman said.


--
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◆ From: 220.132.198.21
推 makyqoo123:看了好感動，回頭看看台灣的投手 ~慘
推 krara:推二隊的經理人。只是Joba那個好扯，用到防震泡棉= =。
推 clarkman:推我寧願用短期的痛苦換取長期的利益
推 chanword:推，希望現金人跟托瑞能真的遵照Joba rules
→ krara:喬拖累真的會遵照，只是非王牌的牛棚的用法就…
推 SuWeiLin:黃平洋:靠!老子怎麼不是待在洋基...
推 Hopkins:其實黃平洋賣的便當.........................還不錯..
→ Hopkins:在我家附近而已...
推 heacoun:肩旋轉袖會想起最近常在做的動作....
推 minamumumi:怎麼讓我想到Prior.......〒△〒
推 eelce:推你的翻譯@@
推 newsomeone:翻的很棒!!!!!
推 parabird:.
推 rainflying:推一下
推 aa1010:感嘆阿...早期一些中華職棒的好投手= =
→ aa1010:陳義信 黃平洋..等 如果當初也有機會去美國發展 應該會有
→ aa1010:不錯的發展
推 teapot43:wild card是uno的?
推 davidqqq:問一下k世代那個Bill是統一獅那個?(還在不在我不確定)
推 Lumania:美國的棒球 確實先進
推 devinboy:台灣早期投手沒比較操嗎 印象中110球是蠻常見的
→ devinboy:陳飛刀  郭X興  巴比諾...........之類
推 dnndn:感謝翻譯:p
推 Sijan:推!!!
推 sgheart:第2點馬上自打嘴巴...不是說不丟超過兩局...
→ sgheart:說錯 超過一局
推 love413:偶爾一次應該有助提振士氣
推 jww:rotator cuff受傷想做那個動作想都別想，肩膀能抬上來就要偷笑
推 OLDdaughter:感謝翻譯
推 bymee:翻得真好～看這種文章真是種享受～ :)
推 dalireal:淚推
推 rayven:推好文
推 cuteship:good
推 realitysida:P U S H
推 lopiii:第8段的Bill Pulsipher就是去年統一的比爾
推 Sakar:還蠻同意的，投得多不一定就會受傷，但這是機率問題，賭輸了
→ Sakar:一個明星選手就掛了，賭贏就是堅強的手臂，看運氣而已。
→ Sakar:但操得越凶，賭贏的機會就會越低.....
推 mjmjttn:樓上的 說的好像我在玩實況裡，遇到怪dr的改造
推 gowang19:推
※ 編輯: leddy           來自: 220.132.198.21       (09/12 21:57)