May 22, 2007

“The Heckler” on a Fan Speaks Out

Hangin’ With Will Ohman

Being a middle reliever can be as anonymous as being in the witness protection program – unless you mess up. You either quell the fire and languish in anonymity or fuel the flames and see your name in the headlines in a not so flattering light. Cub reliever Will Ohman has had his share of both. In this engaging interview, he enlightens us on the difference playing for Lou Piniella compared to Dusty Baker, who ordered a pizza in the bullpen last year, and finally answers the age-old question of what the “towel drill” is supposed to accomplish (or does he).

The Heckler: What’s the toughest situation for you coming into a game?

Will Ohman: I would say bases loaded nobody out or second and third and nobody out.

TH: As a middle reliever and left handed specialist often coming into situations like you just described, do you think your job is more difficult than a closer faces normally coming in to start an inning?

WO: I wouldn’t say it’s harder, but it’s definitely a different aspect of the game. Anytime you come in with guys on, you have the propensity to fail more than succeed as far as giving up runs. I was telling Ryan Dempster, I’m the offensive lineman of baseball. You will not read about me unless I screw up.

TH: What would you say is the difference you have seen so far between Lou Piniella and Dusty Baker as the manager of the team?

WO: They both carry with them a confidence. With Lou, it’s more of a confidence with expectations. He puts a certain amount of expectations on his players, and it doesn’t even need to be said. Guys know that what matters is winning and performance. And that’s what you’re going to be judged on day in and day out.

TH: Did he set that tone of expectations right from the start in spring training?

WO: Pretty much. First meeting he said, “We’re going to have fun, but we’re going to win. Let’s go get them. Very short and very sweet.

TH: I know one of Lou Piniella’s pet peeves is walks. Does he ever address that with pitchers himself, or does he leave that to Larry Rothschild?

WO: Larry is going to take care of our day to day things, but Lou will occasionally bring someone into the principal’s office and let them know how he feels. I myself have been called into the principal’s office recently. (I talked to him the day after he walked consecutive batters with the bases loaded.)

TH: What normally happens when you get called into the principal’s office?

WO: There is an explanation of what is not up to snuff, and what needs to be corrected. In my case, throwing three strikes before four balls.

TH: Dusty Baker never called his players out in the media while Lou Piniella has done that so far. As a player, does that put more pressure on you coming into a game knowing that if you don’t perform, you’re probably going to hear about it and everybody else is going to hear about it in the media?

WO: I don’t think that’s the first concern of a guy coming into a game. I don’t think the worry is what’s going to be said. I think it serves as an incentive to do well. You don’t want to have a monkey on your back, so why not push it to the limit and get the absolute best out of yourself, and I think that’s what Lou really tries to get across.

TH: You mentioned that Lou Piniella has expectations for his players; didn’t Dusty Baker have expectations for his players as well?

WO: Absolutely, it was just expressed in a different way. He would kind of run up along side of you, and he would just talk shop with you. Lou, when he talks to you, it’s kind of like talking to dad, where you’re getting the iron finger to the chest and he’s letting you know you’re out of line.

TH: Last year the pitching staff led the league in walks, and it’s something that’s been a problem in recent years. Is that something that Larry Rothschild can correct for you, or is it up to the pitchers to correct it?

WO: A pitching coach can tell you how to deal with a situation or how to correct a flaw in mechanics, but ultimately the guy throwing the ball is going to determine whether somebody walks or not. That’s not a reflection on the pitching coach. We can all throw the ball right down the middle and never give up a walk, but I don’t think anybody wants to see that either.

TH: Does Larry Rothschild work individually with each pitcher on a regular basis, maybe working on developing a new pitch or correcting a flaw in mechanics?

WO: Larry will address issues if there is an issue to address, but he generally follows along with if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. He’s not going to put stuff in front of you if you’re already struggling with the stuff you have.

TH: Are there any expectations or goals you have set for yourself this year?

WO: I would like to live up to what I hope would be the reputation that I’ve set for myself the last couple of years. I would like to remain difficult to hit against lefties, and I’d like to limit damage right-handers did to me. I think that’s an area of my game that I need to pick up a little more.

TH: The towel drill has become famous in Chicago because of Mark Prior and Kerry Wood. Is that something that all of the pitchers do, and what is that specifically supposed to accomplish?

WO: I can say that I don’t know and I don’t know. I’ve never done a towel drill in my life. I think it might be to get a certain feel, but I really don’t know.

TH: As a pitcher, is Wrigley Field a tough place for a pitcher to play in?

WO: It depends on the wind. Blowing in, not that bad, blowing out, yes. Blowing out, if you’re throwing ground balls, its fun, but giving up fly balls, no bueno.

TH: Why do you think the team is having such a tough time winning games at Wrigley Field?

WO: Not scoring as many runs as the opponent. I think we’ve been the bearers of bad luck, I guess.

TH: Lefties have a reputation for being a little different or crazy; does that assessment fit you?

WO: I’m talking to you, aren’t I? That would answer the question. As an avid reader of The Heckler, there must be something wrong with me.

TH: Who are you closest with on the team?

WO: I probably spend the most time with Bob Howry, Ryan Dempster, and Mike Wuertz, and Michael Barrett too.

TH: Who is the craziest guy in the bullpen with you?

WO: Can you honestly ask that question? You can print that. You can say that I said did you honestly ask that question which signifies Ryan.

TH: What’s the craziest thing he ever did in the bullpen?

WO: He had pizza sent to Roberto Novoa last year in the bullpen. Novoa kind of looked around and didn’t know why people were delivering pizza to him and kind of told them to beat it and get out of there.

TH: This is a question I’ve always wanted to ask a baseball player, and I know you’ve been married for a long time, but, do women always come on to ballplayers?

WO: Not in my case. I have a face made for radio.

SportzNutz Columnist Darrell Horwitz isn’t shy when it comes to “A Fan Speaking Out”… he holds nothing back and tells it like it is, from a fan’s perspective.  A Chicago native, Darrell is a lifelong Cubs and Bulls fan. Along with his “A Fan Speaks Out” column, Darrell is the fan writer for the Chicago Cubs, here on SportzNutz.  If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to email Darrell at darrell.horwitz@nutzworld.net