ATLANTA, Georgia -- Craig Kimbrel confesses he needs to work on his pitches -- off the field. Such is his review of a radio commercial.
The second-year relief pitcher from Huntsville's Lee High, who was named National League Rookie of the Year in 2011, also discusses his hitting (and lack thereof), his role with the Atlanta Braves and some jewelry in this recent conversation with Times columnist Mark McCarter.
Times: So, they're not letting you play as much any more. (Kimbrel had 32 saves in 49 appearances going into Tuesday night's game with Colorado, well behind his 2011 pace.)
Kimbrel: We're winning by more than four (runs). Or we're not.
Times: How much has that made a difference? There was talk after last year about being overworked. Are you more fresh?
Kimbrel: Yeah, I guess. I want to get in there that's for sure. I want to get out there and pitch. As long as the team's winning, it really doesn't matter. All we're trying to do here, especially this last month of the season, is get W's.
When we've got starters like Kris (Medlen, 6-0 since joining the rotation) and others guys out there dominating it's easy to sit back and watch and have a lot of fun.
Times: How long does it take you get to over what happened Friday? (For the first time in his career, he gave up a homer on an 0-2 pitch, to the Phillies' Erik Kratz, and blew the save.)
Kimbrel: Pretty fast. The next day I'm fine. I think about it. I'll watch it. I'll realize what mistakes I made. I'm more excited to get out there the next time, to fix the mistakes.
Times: Hunter Morris, who went to Grissom, just won Southern League MVP. Did you pitch against him?
Kimbrel: I remember facing him this one time and I threw him a curve ball and he hit it past the first baseman for a single. That's about the only time I can remember. A lot of the times we faced Grissom, Buddy (Boshears) was pitching. And I pitched against Huntsville a lot.
(Morris had few memories as well. "It's not like I remember hitting a home run against him or he struck me out four times. Now that he's got a 98-mile-an-hour fastball and the best breaking ball in the majors, it'd be little different facing him," Morris said.)
Times: You wear a thick chain when you pitch that people notice. What's the story?
Kimbrel: I've had this style of chain since I got drafted. I know it's kind of out of date. It got lost in New York. I went and got another one (pulling it from his locker to show) that's a little bit longer. It's not as much of a choker. There's no significance behind it, other than I've been wearing it since I got in pro ball.
Times: You gave your father, Mike, a Harley Davidson on Father's Day. Do you ride it?
Kimbrel: No. I wish I could. I rode motorcycles when I was younger. Of course, I can't ride them any more (because of his contract). I think it's cool. It's relaxing. I know my dad loves to do it and I was happy I was able to give him a motorcycle.
Times: I heard your commercial on the radio the other day for the dealership where you bought it.
Kimbrel: Yeah, I need to work on my commercials. I need to be a little more exuberant when I talk. Not like I just rolled out of bed. That'll come with time.
Times: Alabama or Auburn?
Kimbrel: Alabama. That was easy. You know, I was worried (going into the Michigan game). Not if they were good, but if they were going to be as good. I think they answered a lot of people's questions.
Times: I'm sure you realize you haven't ever had an at-bat in the majors.
Kimbrel: Oh, yeah. And I only had one in the minors. I struck out with the bases loaded. But I was taking my hacks.
Times: Do you even remember your last hit?
Kimbrel: A home run. My last at-bat in high school, in the playoffs.
This story was not subject to the approval of The Alabama Media Group – al.com Author: Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times
