News
Q&A with Reds' Bailey
Right-hander discusses 2009 season, offseason plans
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
11/18/09 3:43 PM EST
CINCINNATI -- Despite being only 23 years old, starting pitcher Homer Bailey seemed on the brink of being written off by Reds fans who wanted him traded. After all, he seemed to be on the fans' radar screen for years. But in 2009, Bailey went from suspect back to prospect with a sensational second half. Going into 2010, Bailey should be a lock for a spot in the Cincinnati rotation. The right-handed Bailey appeared to put everything together, as he posted a 6-1 record and 1.70 ERA over his final nine starts. Overall, he was 8-5 with a 4.53 ERA in 20 starts over two stints in the Majors. Combined with Triple-A Louisville and the Reds, Bailey worked 203 innings and struck out 168. In October, Bailey did a 2009 exit interview with MLB.com. MLB.com: With the way you pitched down the stretch, will that make the offseason more relaxing or enjoyable than ones in the past? Bailey: I'm not going to say it will be more relaxing or enjoyable. What it does is give you motivation. I was texting with [University of Texas pitching coach] Skip Johnson or my trainer, Lance Hooten. They're like, 'This is what we did. This is why you're doing so well late in the season. Make sure you keep that mindset.' For me, it's bittersweet because we're playing so well. You almost don't want the season to end, but then again, your mind and body tell you it's October and it's time to wind down the gears a little bit. The way I've been throwing, it's given me so much motivation. I'm ready to start working again because I've seen the results. MLB.com: What did you do last offseason to put you into the position to be successful? Bailey: It was giving it that extra step. The year before that, if it were a Friday, I might have cut a workout a little short to head down south. This past year, I said no, let's take care of business first. We can go hunting later. If you have to miss a hunt here and there, so be it. It was getting on the mound, doing it with a purpose and understanding what I wanted to do. A lot of that stuff helped. That one extra thing a day fuels you and gives you what you need late in the season. MLB.com: And you picked up the split-fingered pitch? Bailey: [Teammate] Justin Lehr taught me that. When he came to Louisville, I had a fastball, curveball and slider, but I needed something else. I asked him to throw that split. He showed me. The way he throws it and I throw it is a tiny bit different, but my hand or arm angle could be different. We threw it a few times early and I got a punchout from [Matt] Holliday, and so I threw it two or three more times. It's that one extra thing for them to think about." On Aug. 28, Bailey had the best game of his brief big league career vs. the Dodgers when he pitched eight scoreless innings for a 4-2 victory. With over 100 pitches thrown, Bailey started the eighth with two straight baserunners and had to face the lethal Manny Ramirez. Manager Dusty Baker went to the mound with thoughts of taking Bailey out, but the pitcher looked Baker in the eye and talked his way into staying. It led to Bailey's favorite moment of the season. Bailey: I think it was the fact [Baker] trusted me and I was able to back it up. There have been other ones -- [on Sept. 29] with the bases loaded with Albert Pujols up and then bases loaded with Holliday up. They were similar situations to the first game I threw against them. First inning, two on and no one out, guess who's up to bat? Shocker. Hey, I got through it with no damage. To me, those are going to make or break a successful pitcher. MLB.com: It seems like this year, you've been more comfortable, more relaxed in the clubhouse than in previous years. Is there something to that? Are you more used to it? Bailey: I don't know, maybe it's just being around here a little more. I'm sure the first time you were around players, you might have been a little gun shy about asking stuff. It's a new environment. Now you can just walk to anybody and ask questions. There is a difference, especially with a lot of the younger guys. I played with [Daniel] Herrera last year and Matt [Maloney] the last couple of years, and Drew Stubbs, Craig Tatum, Paul Janish, Jay Bruce and Joey Votto. We all know each other. The nucleus of young guys that we have, it's not like it's the first time we've played with each other. MLB.com: What do you consider offseason bliss? Bailey: Relax and tree stand time. I'm going to take my bow and just go. First I'm going to Florida to visit some friends -- Sarasota, actually. Then I'll go back to Texas and unwind for the rest of October. In the beginning of November, I'll head to Illinois and see friends and go hunting up there. From there, I'm going to Kansas and back to Texas. I might even swing back here and to Kentucky if I leave Kansas early.Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
