News :: Opinion
Email
Print
Playing It Safe With Percy Wise Move
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: May 30, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG - First they drew straws - loser had to tell him. Then they had to clear all the breakables out of the room and call for extra security. Only then did the Rays break the news to Troy Percival that he was going on the disabled list.
OK, it wasn't that bad.
But Percival did argue - uh, strongly - that his strained left hamstring wasn't strained enough to merit the full 15-day ride on the sideline that comes with a trip to the DL. But he was convinced, sort of, that giving the balky leg time to heal was the right move for him and the team.
And it was.
No argument.
It comes at a bad time though, just as the Rays are heading down a stretch of bad road. They have three more games this weekend with the White Sox, first place in the AL Central. Then three next week at Boston, three at Texas and three at the Angels. The Rays will have to scramble through the entire upcoming nine-game road trip.
"No fun, but we have to do it," Manager Joe Maddon said.
Yes they did, because that's what a team looking at the long haul does. Thursday night was the one-third pole of this season, which is another way of saying that two-thirds of the season remains. If the Rays are to stay in the playoff race, they need their closer for as much of that time as possible.
Mr. Automatic
He has been battling balky hamstrings - both of them - since spring training. They never healed because he relied on tape more than time. He tweaked one during a recent game at Oakland, but he just taped it a little tighter and went back out. Only when he fell during a pitch Wednesday against Texas and had to leave the game was it time to face reality.
"There was no good argument to stay off the DL. I could see it in his face," Maddon said. "He would never admit this is necessary and I understand that, but him coming out of the game speaks volumes. Knowing him, that means he's hurting a lot more than he shows."
More than just 14 saves go the sideline with Percival. His attitude, air and presence will be missing at the end of games as well. Watching Percival walk toward the mound invokes the same "game-over" feeling you get from the dominant closers.
I mean, we're just getting over the involuntary twitches that were a routine part of watching the Rays try to close out a game the past few years.
"What he has been able to do for us on and off the field this year has been invaluable," bullpen mate Dan Wheeler said.
Part of it is guile, since his 38-year-old arm doesn't automatically summon up 96 mph on command anymore. But part of it is force of will, which is why Maddon and the Rays just knew heading to the DL wasn't part of his game plan.
"I knew Percy was going to be a problem. He does not want to be on the DL, but he has to be for right now," Maddon said.
That kind of "problem" is exactly what the Rays wanted when they signed Percival to a two-year contract last winter. We haven't seen many like him around these parts, at least not many who wear Rays uniforms. He is one of the first to show through example that the days of the old Rays are over. So, of course he wasn't going to go quietly.
"I tried to argue but the decision was already made before they called me in. It was the only way it was going to work," he said. "I understand they're looking out for the best the Rays and the best for me. We don't have to agree on it."
Looking For Answers
For now, they'll mix and match at the end of games for the 15 days.
Wheeler and Al Reyes can close. Trever Miller could handle it if the situation calls for a lefty. It's worth it if this gets Percival healthy for the rest of the season. And it should.
"We don't think it's really anything horrible, but we think the DL is appropriate just to get him well so that it doesn't happen again this year," Maddon said. "We pretty much expect him to be a minimum DL kind of guy. If we do this right, it should be the 15 days and that's it."
Rays fans better hope that's the case.
Percival was asked how long before he'd go stir crazy with two weeks and no games to close.
"I already started two hours ago," he said.
Just 14 days to go.
Email
Print
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
