| What has happened?? That maturing young ace hot outta the oven from Venazula ... has turned stone cold. Though no one can really expect the Mariners to have the same amazing record as they had in 2001, but it SHOULD be expected from the Mariners ace starter Freddy Garcia to have a season such as that one. Going 20 - 6 in 2001, and then a saddening 16 - 10 in 2002, you start to wonder what is going on, it is almost like Freddy has lost his spice, or his control or something. As far as we know, Freddy isnt injured in any way, he isnt a rookie so you wouldnt think he'd have a really bad case of the jitters so its anyones' guess about what has happened to extiguish the firey Venezulan's pitching. In spring training in Arizona this year, he is 1 - 2 which isnt exactly the record that newcomer Bob Melvin wants to see in his number one pitcher. Is it stress? Maybe the pressure of being the number one starter has finally gotten to Freddy. Personally I thin it could be the fact that Freddy is now stepping towards the direction of veteran and he is becoming overconfidant and not thinking about his pitching. For example, in a game against the SF Giants, Freddy pitched a fast ball right down the heart of the plate to none other than the home run king Barry Bonds! Like come on, Barry would have to be blind to miss that pitch, and then the next batter, Freddy threw a change up when the batter was expecting it and another long ball went up and over the fence, I mean Ichiro could have gotten it .. but he was too lazy (just kidding) Who knows, hopefully the 2003 season will bring new luck for our Venezulan hottie. |