bjm676 Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 So far, one of the biggest pickups of the offseason.... CHICAGO -- There is nobody out. A runner stands perched on second base, and the White Sox are holding a two-run lead over Minnesota in the top of the eighth inning. It's a situation that some pitchers simply can't handle, holding down the opposition with the game on the line. It's a responsibility that Dustin Hermanson was born to fulfill. Hermanson realized that fact to be true when he saved 17 games in 20 opportunities during his first Major League chance at closer for the Giants in 2004. "I enjoyed those pressure situations," Hermanson said. "Setting up or closing here, whatever it is, setting up is still a pressure situation." Originally selected by San Diego in the first round of the 1994 First-Year Player Draft, Hermanson was groomed to be a closer during his three years with the Padres. In fact, Hermanson saved 43 games as part of the franchise's Minor League system. But when Hermanson moved to Montreal in 1997, manager Felipe Alou immediately turned the right-hander into a starter. Hermanson took his turn in the rotation 155 times for the Expos, giving the White Sox, or any other team that went after him this offseason, a variety of ways to use him. "It's good to be versatile," Hermanson said. "I can come over to a team like this and go to the bullpen or maybe later if something happens to a starter, I can start for them too. It doesn't matter what I'm doing. They are paying my bills, and I'll do whatever they want." That "always available" attitude has led to Hermanson entering his last two games before he was completely warmed up in the bullpen. On grit and guile, Hermanson escaped those particular jams unscathed. Hermanson had not allowed a run or walked a batter during his first five appearances in 2005, striking out seven during that time, and limiting opposing hitters to a .190 average. Although manager Ozzie Guillen hasn't made an official statement, Hermanson appears to have become one of the situational closers against left-handed hitters, with Shingo Takatsu handling hitters from the right side. There's also a burst of energy that comes from Hermanson's appearance. After putting Minnesota's leadoff hitter on base in the eighth Tuesday, he set down the next three hitters without allowing the runner to advance. He pumped his fist after striking out Shannon Stewart, leaping off the mound. It wasn't any sort of showmanship on Hermanson's part. He's simply enjoying coming to work every day. "Closing is a different game, completely different," Hermanson said. "It's all about getting guys out, but the preparation is different. You have to be a power guy coming out of the pen, but when you are a starter, you have to be in long endurance-type of physical condition. "But even when I started, I acted like a closer who was starting. I just closed every inning." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Hermy has been a godsend for us, much like Flash Gordon of two years ago... Not to mention he another one who helped to convince AJ to come here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangercal Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 I added hermey and everett to my fantasy team last week. Hermey 4 Closer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 QUOTE(rangercal @ Apr 20, 2005 -> 08:17 AM) I added hermey and everett to my fantasy team last week. Hermey 4 Closer! He certainly has proven himself more than worthy of the job. Give him a shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnB Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Hermanson has single handely given this team a couple Ws. plus he has the best facial hair ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Hermanson just looks like a bad ass mofo...and pitches like one too. He doesn't seem to get intimidated at all or nervous about anything...in which you have to love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 QUOTE(EvilJester99 @ Apr 20, 2005 -> 08:39 AM) Hermanson just looks like a bad ass mofo...and pitches like one too. He doesn't seem to get intimidated at all or nervous about anything...in which you have to love. That's what we need in a closer. Someone who's gonna go up there and intimidate the other club and make them believe they aren't gonna do a damn thing against him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 (edited) I don't think Shingo pitches scared at all either...it just doesn't look like he is throwing his fastball well enough yet. Nothing wrong with having others pick him up right now. Shingo was slow last season too. If Shingo continues to struggle let him move to a setup type pitcher and Hermanson be the closer. I was mostly glad to see Ozzie didn't leave Shingo in blowing in the breeze as he didn't have it. Edited April 20, 2005 by EvilJester99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 QUOTE(EvilJester99 @ Apr 20, 2005 -> 08:43 AM) I don't think Shingo pitches scared at all either...it just doesn't look like he is throwing his fastball well enough yet. Nothing wrong with having others pick him up right now. Shingo was slow last season too. If Shingo continues to struggle let him move to a setup type pitcher and Hermanson be the closer. Until he can get more than 1 guy out without giving up runs I think he is a situational pitcher. Someone who's brought in to get a certain batter ( NOT JOE MAUER! ) out. He really needs to work on his stuff though cause he's in a world of hurt right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Yeah Mauer seems to really have Shingo #. Mauer was rocking him last season too. Shingo really needs to get a couple solid outtings not only for the fans sake but for his own confidence as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBlackSox8 Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 QUOTE(EvilJester99 @ Apr 20, 2005 -> 09:43 AM) I don't think Shingo pitches scared at all either...it just doesn't look like he is throwing his fastball well enough yet. Nothing wrong with having others pick him up right now. Shingo was slow last season too. If Shingo continues to struggle let him move to a setup type pitcher and Hermanson be the closer. I was mostly glad to see Ozzie didn't leave Shingo in blowing in the breeze as he didn't have it. I think Ozzie was thinking that even last year. That Shingo would be a good set up guy. I'd see if he can handle it a couple more times...if he struggles, give it to Hermanson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 (edited) QUOTE(TheBlackSox8 @ Apr 20, 2005 -> 08:48 AM) I think Ozzie was thinking that even last year. That Shingo would be a good set up guy. I'd see if he can handle it a couple more times...if he struggles, give it to Hermanson. We dont need anymore late inning drama. Give it to Hermanson in the 9th. He's proven he can handle it. When Shingo gets his stuff working again he can compete for the closer job but nobody can say OZ hasn't given him the opportunity to get his act together. Edited April 20, 2005 by NUKE_CLEVELAND Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 I think one of the best parts of it is though, if Shingo does have to move to the Setup role. You won't hear him whining or crying about it at all. I think he will accept pretty much any role asked of him. I have no problem letting Hermanson be the closer either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamTell Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 We love Hermanson here. I'd be all for him becoming the closer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 "They are paying my bills, and I'll do whatever they want." Are you listening, Scott Schoeneweis??? I luuuuuuuuuuuv the guys who GET IT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjm676 Posted April 20, 2005 Author Share Posted April 20, 2005 (edited) "With Shingo, we're going to go by situation right now,'' Guillen said. "This kid is struggling , and I want to get his confidence back. To me, it's the worst feeling a manager can have to walk to the mound and take your closer out. But they pay me to win ballgames." That was one of Ozzie's quotes from the postgame last night. At least he understands. Shingo may be a one-inning guy during a blow out game for awhile until he can get his pitches together. I just don't understand by Ozzie didn't do this with Koch last year until June. Edited April 20, 2005 by robinventura23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedge Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 QUOTE(robinventura23 @ Apr 20, 2005 -> 09:37 AM) That was one of Ozzie's quotes from the postgame last night. At least he understands. Shingo may be a one-inning guy during a blow out game for awhile until he can get his pitches together. I just don't understand by Ozzie didn't do this with Koch last year until June. Maybe Ozzie learned from what shook out with Koch last year. That's a good sign of a manager, that when his decisions lead to bad results, he changes the decisions he makes. "Insanity is repeating the same experiment with the same parameters and expecting different results." -Albert Einstein Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 QUOTE(Wedge @ Apr 20, 2005 -> 09:44 AM) Maybe Ozzie learned from what shook out with Koch last year. That's a good sign of a manager, that when his decisions lead to bad results, he changes the decisions he makes. "Insanity is repeating the same experiment with the same parameters and expecting different results." -Albert Einstein In Ozzie's defense we were paying Botch an insane amount of money and I think there might have been some pressure from the front office to make that square peg fit in the round hole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedge Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Apr 20, 2005 -> 09:47 AM) In Ozzie's defense we were paying Botch an insane amount of money and I think there might have been some pressure from the front office to make that square peg fit in the round hole. Good point, I forgot about the ridiculous contract that KW had given Koch after the Foulke trade. We really got screwed in that trade, didn't we? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T R U Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Man I saw the bottom line last night on ESPN and saw the Twins scored a run, I was 100% sure it was Shingo, I get online right now.. go look.. and yeah, it was Shingo.. I dont get whats wrong with him, but he shouldnt be put in to close anymore games until he gets out of this funk he is in.. Hermanson on the other hand should obviously be the man to turn to in the 9th from now on until Shingo can get back to form Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthraxFan93 Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 "They are paying my bills, and I'll do whatever they want." Are you listening, Scott Schoeneweis??? I luuuuuuuuuuuv the guys who GET IT. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Bingo... I knew when we traded for s***ty in 03 that he was going to be an issue, IMO i would have kept glover, see what he is doing for Milwaukee? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthraxFan93 Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Man I saw the bottom line last night on ESPN and saw the Twins scored a run, I was 100% sure it was Shingo, I get online right now.. go look.. and yeah, it was Shingo.. I dont get whats wrong with him, but he shouldnt be put in to close anymore games until he gets out of this funk he is in.. Hermanson on the other hand should obviously be the man to turn to in the 9th from now on until Shingo can get back to form <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This was my biggest fear going into this season with him.. Hitter have made the adjustment to him, and they are not swinging at anything outside of the strikezone... Granted I have seen 3 games, and each game it seems this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T R U Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 QUOTE(AnthraxFan93 @ Apr 20, 2005 -> 10:20 AM) This was my biggest fear going into this season with him.. Hitter have made the adjustment to him, and they are not swinging at anything outside of the strikezone... Granted I have seen 3 games, and each game it seems this way. Thats what I was worried about as well.. and so far its not looking too good but maybe he will get it all straightened out.. I mean, Shingo has been getting roughed up everytime he goes out there, I just think the smartest thing would be to let Hermanson take over the closing roll and let Shingo get back on track Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 It looks the Sox have a bullpen full of guys who all want the same thing---to get the Sox wins. If a guy gets into trouble, by walking or hitting guys, or getting tattooed, they should expect to come out, if someone else is available to pitch. I don't see any huge egos, who will be upset if they get taken out. They know it's not personal, it's business. And they're in the business of getting outs late in games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthraxFan93 Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Thats what I was worried about as well.. and so far its not looking too good but maybe he will get it all straightened out.. I mean, Shingo has been getting roughed up everytime he goes out there, I just think the smartest thing would be to let Hermanson take over the closing roll and let Shingo get back on track <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Agreed, I think DH can close out the games, Bring Shingo in DUring the 7/8th to get his pitching right.. Ozzie said it best during the press conference yesterday.. Ozzie was brought here to win games, and so far he is doing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.