gyro update
Today was bullpen day- and not by accident dr. tezuka (the scientist behind the gyro) was back in surprise to watch me throw. What he also did was give me an actual baseball with the gyro grip outlined in red pen on the various parts of the ball.
drum roll...
the ball does some mysterious stuff. Ron Mahay and I were playing catch before my mound session and he said the ball actually took off just like it's supposed to. he said he can see the spin is much different than a normal fastball. it rises first, and then tails a bit into a lefty (with the 2 seam style grip) and then does the same but cuts if I throw it the other way. I successfully threw 10 of them in a row. Never the guy to completely rush into things, I didn't throw any off the mound- much to the coaches delight- they're pretty pissed at me already for deciding to unveil my new windup 2 months ago.
I don't know about you guys, but being a lefty throwing in the mid 90's and having a 4.06 era last year wasn't very happy for me...I'm always looking for ways to improve. The better I perform the better the team will do- having productive relief pitching in those close games is definitely a key to winning the AL west this year
This gyro ball stuff is out of this world. I know it is real, but I can't help but think George Orwell is behind this. Is Dr. Tezuka the same guy who showed Matsuzaka how to throw the pitch? Does it have the same velocity as your other fastballs? Did you see the NBA dunk contest last week? There was some unprecedented stuff going on. I hope the same for baseball with the gyro pitch! Good luck, brother!
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Now we have Cactus Tracks from C.J. and Postcards from Elysian Fields from T.R. Doesn't anybody have a real name around here? Just curious if CJ is going to open up a bar, talk to some dog from the Transvaal or speak in Latin?
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CJ - Can you show us a picture of the grip and a brief explanation of what you do to throw it?
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Good luck on the gyro. Of course, I think you've already got stuff to succeed - just have to improve fast ball command baby.
Can you give us details on your new delivery? Ever work with **** Mills (who tweaked Zito's mechanics).
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Hey C.J.,
Glad to see you have a blog up!! I look forward to seeing how you develop this year with the gyro ball...quick question: Do you think a healthy Eric Gagne, along with yourself, Aki, Wes, Ron, and Rick Bauer, would make the Rangers one of the most feared bullpen's in the majors?
Anyways...good luck this spring and good luck with the new pitch! i remember last year when R.A dickey developed the knuckler...hopefully you'll have better success with the gyro!!
GO RANGERS
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Yo dude...just found the blog. I love it. I'm road-tripping out to Surprise with two buddies for the games on the 23rd and the 24th. It'll be my first Spring Training and I couldn't be more pumped!
I hope I get to see that gyro. Keep up the good work!
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As a rare English Rangers fan I may be miles from surprise, but really can't wait for the spring/season to get under way. Hope you guys have a great spring training and it sounds like we could get to see the 'Gyro' pretty soon. I'm really excited, like most Rangers fans I suspect, that this is first season in a while we really can challenge in. I know the players will always remain positive, but what's the real vibe in the changing room at the moment? Has Wash already changed things for the better?
Personally, I think we've got a great pen, good starting line up and great infield. Its just the OF that remains the clincher.
Look forward to reading your posts. Go Rangers!
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http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=gyroballsearch
Here's a great article on the gyro.
It will answer just about every question you have. Is it real? You bet. Does it have a three foot break? 95% sure it doesn't. As a baseball fan, I'm disappointed, as a hitter, I'm relieved.
Good luck this year,
Eric C,
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pp...we don't know if CJ knows latin yet...we'll have to tell him that Ranger fans are used to our bloggers slinging latin along with their gyro balls...
On this gyro ball all it makes me think of is a Greek sandwich. Is the pitch pronunced Hero just like the sandwich...I have so many questions. How about it CJ?
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http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/Sandwiches/GyroSandwich.htm
Here's a link to another good gyro article. Would be a nice addition at Ameriquest field.
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Hope you find out how to throw the gyro.
make all those video game publishers add your gyroball to their games, that would be funny.
Hopefully you'll also keep posting on here for the '09 season, which unfortunately you haven't...
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