Capn12 Posted May 21, 2004 Share Posted May 21, 2004 Taken in context, written by Scott Merkin MINNEAPOLIS -- Even when Billy Koch was at his lowest point with the White Sox in 2003, his earned run average well over 5.00 and his role reduced to a right-handed specialist out of the bullpen, the closer never lost confidence in his own ability to preserve a ninth-inning lead. Koch also never lost focus of the most important job at hand -- making sure the White Sox win with little regard to his personal statistics. His 2004 turnaround has come thanks to better location and an increase in velocity. But according to Twins' catcher Matthew LeCroy, it's Koch's competitive fire that truly makes him dangerous. LeCroy and Koch were batterymates and friends when the two attended Clemson University in the late 1990s. "He's all about winning and will make adjustments to make sure his team is on top," said LeCroy of Koch. "He's struggled a little bit, but everyone struggles. I see the velocity is a little bit down, but not much. Once he gets that back, he will be fine." Known as a bit of an eccentric, Koch was even crazier in college, according to LeCroy. Having three kids and a family settled him down a bit. Those practical jokes and the wild behavior from his collegiate days have been transformed into hair-raising ninth innings when Koch takes the mound. In fact, his three strikeouts to finish off the Indians on Tuesday night was the fifth time Koch retired all three batters in 23 save opportunities on the South Side. Koch carried a 1-0 record with a 4.41 earned run average and seven saves in 17 appearances into Thursday's series opener against the Twins, with 14 hits and nine walks allowed in 16 1/3 innings. But even in his 100 mph days with the Blue Jays and Oakland, it was all about the save and the victory for Koch and rarely a thought about Eric Gagne-like perfection. "I'm not paid to be an ERA champ," said Koch, who has held opposing hitters to a .219 average and left-handers to a .161 average. "I'm paid to save ballgames. "In Oakland [in 2002], I pitched [93 2/3 innings] and had 12 one-two-three innings. It surprised me when I found out. "I saved 36 with a 4.80 in Toronto [in 2001]," Koch added. "I would love to be [New York's] Mariano [Rivera] or Gagne with a 1.40 ERA. But the bottom line is if I get the save, I've done my job." Just to kind of remind folks, Koch has NEVER been a 1-2-3 kind of guy in his career. So when I hear people b**** and whine on game threads about someone getting on, I just kinda smile. The stats from his 2002 season say it all for his effectiveness vs. his ability to 1-2-3 the other team. Just thought it was some good information to pass on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beast Posted May 21, 2004 Share Posted May 21, 2004 Exactly my point: He SAVES ballgames. He doesn't have to be one of the top ERA guys in the league... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hi8is Posted May 21, 2004 Share Posted May 21, 2004 what are his, saves to blown saves ration this season so far? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T R U Posted May 21, 2004 Share Posted May 21, 2004 Hes 7 of 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hi8is Posted May 21, 2004 Share Posted May 21, 2004 thats damn good way to go botch, give me 9 outta 10 then ill start callin you by the name your momma gave you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted May 21, 2004 Share Posted May 21, 2004 How's this for a strategy? Keep finding spots for him to pad his stats and then trade him to an unsuspecting team? Oops, that's how we got him. 8 of 10 and I am happy. I think Billy will be in the upper 1/3 of closers this season based on save ratio, the only thing that really matters. Wins and loses, saves v. blown saves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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