Coke and a smile
Funny how things work out. Last season, Trenton lefty Phil Coke was not selected for the Eastern League All-Star Game played in Manchester. He was pretty ticked off about, actually.
We talked inside the Trenton dugout before a game, and I said, “That’s OK. You can pitch at The Stadium later this season.” I knew he had good numbers and a pretty good chance of a September call-up from the Yankees. Sure enough, he got the chance and pitched 14 innings last season. This year, he’s been key part of the NY bullpen, logging 60 innings with 21 holds.
Tonight the rookie is pitching in the ALCS, relieving A.J. Burnett. Coke entered the game and struck out Bobby Abreu for a huge out in the seventh.
I caught up with Coke at Fenway Park this season, and he said the difference between success and failure is having the confidence to perform at any level.
“I had to learn to be true to myself, knowing I can get the job done. That’s what it all comes down to,” said Coke, who got off to a rocky start in ‘08 and fought off mental demons. “The first month of the year I was busy getting kicked around pretty good. It felt like I had a 37.00 ERA. I was like, oh, man, I don’t know if this is going to work out … One day I decided to trust myself, have fun, and here I am today.”
Coke already won an Eastern League title and has his sights on another ring.
“It was pretty fun to win a championship in Double-A. That was a kick in the pants. I can only imagine what it would be like to win a championship here, and I’m telling you right now that I can’t wait,” he said.
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Hey jimmy, unless that interview is on tape I don’t believe it. You judging major league talent is like Maine’s claim to owning half of Portsmith’s harbor!
Comment by THE POPE — October 18, 2009 @ 12:25 pm