TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Percival Won't Back Down From Competing

Tribune photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Having a healthy Percival is the first step to repeated success for the Ray's bullpen.

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOE HENDERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 21, 2009

Updated: 03/21/2009 11:33 pm

PORT CHARLOTTE - Troy Percival slumped in front of his locker after 15 hard laps tethered to a self-powered treadmill in the Rays' training room. The sweat was showing through his shirt. It was time for a break.

He follows this routine six days a week. Treadmill work, elliptical, stretching exercises, and basically whatever else the Rays training staff can come up with.

The workout wouldn't be easy for someone much younger, much less a 39-year-old coming off back surgery like he is, but he does it so he can extend his baseball career as long as possible.

That career seemed over for a second time just a few months ago when his aching back finally became a distraction that couldn't be ignored, even by someone with the force of will that Percival has.

That will is considerable. He's sometimes a cross between a snorting bull and a screaming child, and the 42 games he spent on the disabled list in three separate trips almost killed him.

He argued so fiercely to stay in one game after his back flared up that Manager Joe Maddon had to tell him, "That's enough ... that's enough" several times before Percival finally gave him the ball. The Rays had to leave him off the postseason roster, which was exasperating,

After all, Percival was brought here last year to show the Rays how to win, but he did more than talk. They wouldn't have been in the playoffs without his 28 saves.

There was only one route to take if he wanted to stay in the game. On Dec. 3, Percival had two herniated disks removed and his spine was shaved to relieve pressure on a nerve that was triggering pain.

"Probably the first couple of weeks after the surgery, I wasn't sure he could play again. I was pretty stiff, sore, couldn't move real well," Percival said. "As soon as I started getting mobility and doing exercises, I knew I was going to be fine."

So here he is, almost certain to be the Rays' closer again - barring a setback, of course.

Rays baseball operations chief Andrew Friedman, a normally cautious sort, said that Percival "has looked awesome" in three spring outings and Percival didn't waste words either when the subject of Opening Day was raised.

"I'm ready right now," he said.

Domino Effect

The bullpen was a major reason why the Rays had success last season, and having a healthy Percival is the first step in the same direction this year.

"It allows us to push down very capable major-league relievers into situations that will help us win a lot of games," Friedman said.

"Sometimes games are won or lost in the sixth inning. By having Percy at the back end of the game, the quality of reliever you have available when you need to get an out in the sixth or seventh inning improves."

But how much can the Rays really count on Percival? He'll be 40 in August, with 13 years of raging relief work behind him. That's a lot of wear, not to mention tear. An elbow injury ended his 2005 season with Detroit after just 26 games. He missed all of 2006 while recovering. Now there is this comeback attempt.

Maddon knows Percival as well as anyone, though, dating to their days with the Angels. He's not looking at an aging pitcher coming off surgery when he sees Percival. Instead, he sees a closer capable of finishing games.

"Right now, for me, he is ahead of where I thought he would be at this juncture," Maddon said.

So when his body rebels at what it is being asked to do now, Percival just ignores the aches and plows ahead. He has done it before, and time is precious.

"I don't want to look too far ahead," he said. "I'm just trying to take it through spring training and go from there."

Back To Work

The break was over. He had to head back to the trainers for more conditioning. That's just the way it is.

"I got so far out of shape in the two years I didn't play, I needed to do this," he said. "I wish I hadn't gotten this far out of shape, but I've been working as hard as I have in the last seven or eight years to get ready for this."

He has lost just three pounds in a month of working like this, which he admits is annoying. It's not all that important, though, because he needs the conditioning more than he needs Jenny Craig.

Each extra lap on the treadmill or an extra five minutes on the elliptical might earn him an extra day in the major leagues, and that's what this is all about. He has been through Tommy John surgery. His back has been sliced open.

Yet here he is, still at it.

Lap after lap. Pitch after pitch.

You remember what Maddon said that day: "That's enough ... that's enough."

Obviously it wasn't. If you still aren't sure, though, just take a look at his sweat-soaked shirt and you'll have your answer.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT