McClung hoping for a faster start in 2007

McClung hoping for a faster start in 2007
By Gary Fauber
Assistant Sports Editor

There’s something about the spring that brings out the best in Seth McClung.

Then, the season starts.

Take last year, for instance. McClung, the Tampa Bay right-hander, led all American League pitchers in earned run average for most of spring training. But when camp broke, so did McClung.

The Greenbrier East graduate struggled mightily in the starting rotation, going 2-10 with a 6.54 ERA in his first 15 appearances. He was sent down to Triple-A Durham in June, his third stint in the minors in two seasons.

Why does McClung seem to struggle out of the gate each season after a promising spring?

“I don’t know,” he said, honestly. “I have no answer for you. I really don’t know why I have such a tough time getting started.

“Maybe it has to do with getting in shape as far as maybe throwing too long and I actually end up at the end of spring tired, as opposed to being fresh.

“It’s not from a lack of effort.”

McClung and the rest of the Devil Rays’ pitchers and catchers reported Friday and will have their first workout today. With the slow starts of the last couple of seasons in his mind, the 6-foot-6, 250-pounder has taken a slightly different approach to preparing for spring training.

He spent more time in the weight room, concentrating on upper body workouts he had not been able to do since having Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow in 2003. He is confident Tampa Bay fans will see a reduction in the number of walks he allows.

“I spent the offseason bulking up and getting stronger,” he said. “So, physically, I’m ready to go. I’d like to get myself in a position where I can get off to a quick start.

“I just didn’t start off well (last season) and that has really been a downfall for me. I put more emphasis (during the offseason) on being physical-wise ready as opposed to throwing-wise being ready.”

McClung’s stay in Durham last summer focused on getting him ready to take over the Tampa closer role. He found success, going 1-0 with five saves and a 2.20 ERA in 14 appearances. In 16 1/3 innings, he struck out 26 and walked just two.

After getting called back up in late July, McClung was 1-2 with six saves for Tampa.

Recently, Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon gave McClung a vote of confidence, although he indicated the closer role is open to competition.

“It’s good to have the organization behind you,” McClung said. “I was pleased with the fact that they want me to win this job. But I’m also glad they want me to win the job and the fact they’re not just handing it to me. They want me to perform well (and earn it).”

McClung actually had the benefit last season of picking the brains of established closers such as Bobby Jenks of the Chicago White Sox and the Yankees’ Mariano Rivera.

“I’m very fortunate to be in the big leagues and have access to these guys and learn from them,” McClung said. “Mariano was very good to speak with. He just told me, ‘don’t let the game define who you are,’ which was good because you don’t want to go too high or too low.

“Jenksy was good in talking about how to deal with the everyday pressures of it.”

The low-budget Devil Rays have trouble each year competing against the free-spending Yankees and Red Sox of the AL East. But McClung is going into spring as confident as always.

“The good thing about the beginning of the year is that we are all in first place right now,” McClung said. “So I’m enjoying the optimism.

“With the young team we have, I think we can make some noise. I want to believe we have a chance to go to the World Series, but, realistically, we just have to sit there and play the best game we can and see how it turns out.”