Can Billy Koch get it done this year:, Another Trib article: Options

[CSF]

Koch leaving '03 behind


Koch leaving '03 behind
Closer fans 2 in 1-2-3 inning of spring debut

By Bob Foltman
Tribune staff reporter

March 5, 2004, 10:49 PM CST


TUCSON, Ariz. -- One inning of one game in spring training will not erase Billy Koch's 2003 season in the minds of White Sox fans.

But you have to start somewhere and for Koch that was the seventh inning Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Koch did what the Sox are hoping he does on a consistent basis this season—face three hitters and get them all out.

"That's my first 1-2-3 since [2002]," Koch said. "I was just going to try to go out and hit spots. Then after that I said, 'Forget that, I'm going to go out there and blow it by those guys.'"

The Sox liked the results, but they don't care whether Koch gets people out throwing 99 m.p.h. or 89.

In fact, they don't want Koch to worry about his velocity at all as long as he's getting people out.

The Sox had Koch throwing consistently between 90-93 m.p.h. Friday and he touched 94 a couple of times. After getting the first hitter to fly out to left, Koch struck out the last two.

Koch said he just wants to know if his velocity picks up as the spring continues. When he went to Oakland in 2002, he threw in the low 90s early in the spring, which prompted a visit from A's general manager Billy Beane.

"Beane was like, 'Why did I trade for you? You're only throwing 92,'" Koch recalled. "I said, 'All right, watch me the next time out.' I threw 94, then 96, then 98, then 100."

Koch saved 44 games that season for the A's.

That's fine as long as it's 100 m.p.h. and strikes. That wasn't the case last season, when Koch was 5-5 with a 5.77 ERA and lost his closer's job to Tom Gordon. In August, he went on the disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow.

Koch spent the off-season going over what went wrong, and then wiped the slate clean.

"I took two weeks off and thought about everything and went through it in my head and just forgot about it," he said when camp opened.

"I hit the weights hard and got on a good throwing program, and I looked forward to getting out there."

Despite the disaster last season, Koch has been told he's the closer to start this season.

"I think it's important for a closer to know that the rug isn't going to be pulled out from under his feet if he fails," Sox pitching coach Don Cooper said. "There are going to be some days when you don't get it done."

Sox manager Ozzie Guillen hurried back Friday from watching some of his team across town to see Koch throw.

"I don't want him to throw 98-99, I want him to throw strikes," Guillen said.

"If his velocity comes back, it's a plus. I like what I see right now."

Considering his track record of more than 30 saves for four straight seasons, last year's 11 saves could be viewed as an aberration.

"Coming in, my confidence [is] high," Koch said.

"Obviously, people are still going to think about what happened [last season], but I just leave it in the past."
Copyright © 2004, The Chicago Tribune


I don't care if Koch can't throw 97-100 anymore. As long as he doesn't walk 5 batters in an inning and can improve his control, 94-95mph should be enough.

[EvilJester99]

He will be a huge part of this team making it or not. I sure hope he can be a lot more effective this year. From what I have seen he seems to have better control on his pitches. I think he needs the control more so than the velocity.

[soxman352000]

I agree with Evil, if he has better control, he maybe able to get more people out. His velocity isn't what it use to be. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/Shades.gif)

[NUKE]

I agree with Evil, if he has better control, he maybe able to get more people out. His velocity isn't what it use to be. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/Shades.gif)

He sucks ass. Billy Botch is a really appropriate name for him and he's gonna be relegated to holding Marte's dirty jock strap after the 1st of May.

[Jordan4life]

I've been sayin for the last 2 months or so that the keys 2 r season will be Garland, Harris, Rowand, and Koch. If Koch can pitch anything like he did in 2002 we have a great shot at the division title.

[greasywheels121]

I hope Koch can rebound, we will really have one of the stronger bullpens in the league if we can have 3 pitchers that are worthy enough to close the game, and we end up using 2 as set-up guys.