SI.com: Pettitte may have a dead arm???

[Rockets10]

Pettitte struggles agianst Orioles, complains of 'dead arm'
Posted: Wednesday March 17, 2004 5:20PM; Updated: Wednesday March 17, 2004 5:44PM


FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- Andy Pettitte wasn't happy with his third start of the spring Wednesday and hinted he might be experiencing a "dead arm."

"I didn't feel real good today," said Pettitte, who allowed a run and six hits in 3 2/3 innings. "I made a lot of mistakes. The first two starts, I didn't work a lot. Today I got in innings and threw a lot of pitches."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2004/03/17/grapefruit.wednesday.ap/index.html

Did anybody hear about this? I hope this is just an over-reaction to a poor start . . . :(

[bobrek]

"Dead arms" are not an unusual Spring training occurrance.

[Roc Paint]

Carlos Hernandez come on down.

[Nick]

As bobrek has already said... dead arms are very common in the spring. If he's still feeling this come April, then maybe you can start worrying.

[LAfadeaway33]

Trade him.

[rockets688]

Originally posted by LAfadeaway33
Trade him.

Yea, for a point guard for the Rockets, hardy har har...

[fya]

Sounds like a disgruntled yankee writer. pettitte doesn't have a dead arm.

[NYKRule]

Pettitte has been inconsistent since 1997

[Texas Stoke]

Sounds to me like Pettitte is saying he threw a lot of pitches and got a lot of work in. I don't how this guy took that to mean he was complaining about a dead arm.

[Raven Lunatic]

Damn, we should have signed that model of consistency, Kevin Brown.

[Nick]

Originally posted by Raven Lunatic
Damn, we should have signed that model of consistency, Kevin Brown.

Or better yet... count on a guy coming back from Tommy John surgery as a main-stay in the rotation.

At least Brown is terribly good when healthy.... but Lieber? He's alright, but I'd take Redding as a 5th over him.

[Manny Ramirez]

Originally posted by NYKRule
Pettitte has been inconsistent since 1997

Originally posted by Raven Lunatic
Damn, we should have signed that model of consistency, Kevin Brown.

Pwned

[Fegwu]

Originally posted by fya
Sounds like a disgruntled yankee writer. pettitte doesn't have a dead arm.


Maybe not....but no biggie though




March 17, 2004, 10:14PM

Prized pupil

Williams' extra practice sessions with Everett pay dividends

By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ

Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle


FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Two years ago, it was not uncommon to see Adam Everett and Jimy Williams in the back fields at Osceola County Stadium working together with the rest of the Astros' young players during the regular workouts.

This year, Williams' time in regular workouts has been spent overseeing pitchers' fielding drills or infield drills with the less established players such as Eric Bruntlett, Jason Alfaro, Tommy Whiteman and Chris Burke.

After his breakthrough 2003 season, Everett goes through infield drills with Morgan Ensberg, Jeff Kent and Jeff Bagwell, the established infielders. But Everett, whom general manager Gerry Hunsicker considers one of the Astros' most impressive players this spring, realizes he can learn quite a bit from his manager.

Equally important, Williams doesn't mind coming in early to help as long as the drills are done properly and with enthusiasm.

"It's different facets of the game to try to improve (Everett's) skill level," Williams said. "Certainly, he can do some things. Now he's trying to put those things into play, whether it's offensively or defensively. Just like the work that he did last year to make that play in the hole. Maybe now he's doing some things bunting-wise.

"I'd rather see a guy take, let's just say 20 ground balls, and execute the way he wants rather than take 50 just for eyewash. That doesn't do a lot for me. I want him to be able to do it and want to come back the next day and do the same thing and not have to worry about saying, `Oh, gosh, I have to take 50 ground balls,' because it's drudgery."

It has not been unusual this spring to find Williams and Everett working long before many of the Astros show up to the clubhouse at Osceola County Stadium. They are in the batting cages practicing different types of bunts or on Field 2 taking grounders.

"I guess more than anything, I want to become an impact player," said Everett, who hit .256 with eight home runs and 51 RBIs over 128 games last year. "I want to become a threat at the plate."

Everett, 27, is considered a stellar defensive player, especially after refining the play in the hole last spring with the help of Williams' constant grounders. Everett also made tremendous strides at the plate last year, primarily hitting in the No. 8 spot.

No longer overmatched, Everett is in line to bat in the No. 2 spot this season. He'll be called on to move runners over and employ his speed. Other than in games in which Orlando Palmeiro starts for Craig Biggio in center field, Everett will be the Astros' lone speed threat.

For that reason, Everett's extra work this spring could go a long way toward helping the Astros win the National League Central. He will put his legs to work, whether attempting to steal or reach on infield singles, which is why he has spent several hours laying down bunts this spring.

"(Williams) did not really overhaul it, but he has suggested some things in my game," Everett said. "If you steal a base, you might help (Jeff Bagwell) or Jeff Kent drive in a run."

Considered one of the best teaching managers in baseball, Williams vows to put in the time with Everett. Everett appreciates working with Williams because the exchanges don't go just one way. Williams often qualifies his advice by telling players he doesn't mind if the player tries his recommendation and decides against the suggestion because it doesn't feel comfortable.

Not all players can drop a bunt using the technique Williams usually teaches, which is to cup the bat's barrel near the middle with the lead hand (left hand for lefthanders, right for righthanders).

Roy Oswalt, who struggled dropping sacrifice bunts during the 2002 season, could not adjust to Williams' technique. But together, Williams figured out a way to help Oswalt improve at the plate. Oswalt holds the bat higher up the barrel and cups the barrel while his index finger extends out, as if shooting an imaginary gun.

Oswalt improved his bunting dramatically last year, ranking with Wade Miller as impressive bunters. Now Everett and outfielder Willy Taveras use that technique.

Moving the index finger higher up the barrel " helps deaden the ball," Everett said.

Everett has dropped a bunt in almost every game this spring.

"Practice with a purpose," Williams said. "Don't just practice to practice. Practice to try to get better. Either maintain your strengths or refine some things. Think of what you're doing, whether you're catching a ground ball or throwing the ball, turning a double play or taking batting practice. Enjoy it, but don't just do it because it's your turn to do it. Do it because, No. 1, you want to do it and, No. 2, you have a lot of pride in what you're doing."


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Astros summary

Pettitte struggles

After throwing three scoreless innings in his second start of spring training last week, lefthander Andy Pettitte was asked if he was concerned because he had few opportunities to work out of the stretch with runners on base this spring.

Pettitte, who had pitched five scoreless innings while giving up only three hits over his first two Grapefruit League starts, finally got a bit of work out of the stretch Wednesday while giving up his first run of spring training against the Orioles.

"I didn't feel real good today," he said after giving up one run, six hits and two walks with three strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings in the Orioles' 3-2 victory at Fort Lauderdale Stadium. "I made a lot of mistakes. I felt a lot better my first two starts. It's spring training. You know, your arm just doesn't feel quite as good. I might be going through, I feel like, a little dead (arm) period or whatever.

"For the most part, I felt pretty good. I got through it again healthy, and I'm getting the pitch count up."

Scheduled to throw about 65 to 70 pitches over four or five innings, Pettitte threw 65.

"The first two starts I didn't work a whole lot," he said. "Today we got a lot of work with a lot of runners on base and stuff. Somebody asked me if I was worried about pitching out of the stretch after my last one. I said, `Don't worry. There will be plenty of opportunity to do that.' I had plenty of time today."

Orioles catcher Javy Lopez set up the first run of the contest with a one-out double to left field in the fourth inning. One out later, designated hitter David Segui drew a walk. Luis Matos followed with an RBI single to center, prompting Astros manager Jimy Williams to relieve Pettitte with righthander Brandon Duckworth.

Ryan to arrive

Nolan Ryan, who signed a five-year personal services contract with the Astros last month, is scheduled to report for work with the club today at Osceola County Stadium.

Cuts coming

General manager Gerry Hunsicker said he likely will make the first big slash of the roster today, mainly cutting the younger players on the 40-man roster and some non-roster invitees with no chance of making the club.

[kevwun]

So much for the dead arm.

[PhiSlammaJamma]

Maybe we need more dead arms. He's been brilliant so far.

[Rockets10]

Originally posted by kevwun
So much for the dead arm.

yeah, i would say so. sorry for any alarm folks.