In The Dugout – Ohio State Buckeyes
5/9/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 9, 2003
Making a major adjustment is part of being a successful athlete. However, few athletes are subject to as many adjustments and role changes as pitchers, constantly changing roles and responsibilities.
So when Ohio State redshirt sophomore Matt Davis was asked to fill the closer role for the 2003 team, Davis was not only prepared, but welcoming of this new challenge.
“I knew we had enough good arms and didn’t have any worries about starting pitching,” Davis said. “So when coach (Bob) Todd asked me if I would like to come into games later, I thought whatever our team needed was fine with me.”
The role is one he has slowly eased into over the past year.
“Last year, I began gaining arm strength and was coming out of the bullpen for long relief,” Davis said. “Towards the end of the season, we had some close games and I got some opportunities to come in and pitch and did relatively well. So, I progressively adapted the closer role.”
He came closer to adjusting to his new job while playing for the Lima Locos of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League during the summer of 2002. Davis was chosen to play in the league’s all-star game vs. Team USA, but was listed unable to pitch since he had thrown two days earlier in a regular season game. His surprise appearance turned out to be a career changing move for the right-hander.
“In the last inning, I was looking down the dugout and I realized there was no one else to throw but me,” Davis said. “The coach asked me if I could go in and get a couple outs and I said I could.”
With the score 6-5 in favor of the league all-stars, Davis entered the game with the bases loaded and stuck a man out and forced a double play to get out of the inning and earn the save.
Because of experiences like this, Davis has settled into his new role despite the profound differences.
“Closing is a totally different mentality,” Davis said. “As a starter, you have more room to work with, but as a closer, you have to go in there and throw strikes. So my main objective is to be aggressive and go with my best stuff to get the hitters out.” During this change, Davis has labeled two pitchers as his mentors. He starts with a veteran Major Leaguer.
“I really admire John Smoltz,” Davis said. “He also was a starter, got injured and came back. His team had a good four or five arms to start, but they needed a closer and he adjusted very well.”
Finally, former Ohio State closer and all-time save leader Cory Cox has helped Davis make the transition.
“I learned a lot from Cory about throwing strikes,” Davis said. “At three and two, it’s going to be a fastball down the middle. He leads our team all-time in saves and it would be an honor if I ever were to get to that position.”
Davis has eight saves this season, which is tied with three others for fourth in school history. He is within two of the school’s season save record, which is held by Cox.
