A few months ago Indians manager Terry Francona didn’t really know what to expect of pitching coach Mickey Callaway. Because he really didn’t know him.
Now when asked about Callaway’s strengths, Francona answers with a question: “How much time do you have?”
The positive feeling about the Indians 37-year-old, first-year pitching coach is shared in the front office.
“Mickey’s done a phenomenal job,” GM Chris Antonetti said. “I think Terry has said it a number of times. It’s not only exceptional for a first-year, but for any pitching coach, regardless of tenure. He has unbelievable knowledge and a great way of communicating that knowledge. He’s able to connect with each individual to help them be successful.”
Prior to January, Francona had never met Callaway, who had a brief and relatively unsuccessful five-year career as a major league pitcher – he went 4-11 with a 6.27 ERA for the Rays, Angels and Rangers.
Callaway went immediately to coaching after he stopped playing and in 2010 was pitching coach in Class A Kinston and in ’11 for the Lake County Captains. He spent last season as the Indians minor league pitching instructor, which led the front office to recommend him to Francona.
Callaway was one of four to interview, and according to Francona the Indians put him through it.
“We didn’t want it to be easy because it’s such an important position,” Francona said.
Francona admitted beginning the interview with apprehension. In many cases, a manager wants a pitching coach he knows. He trusted the judgment of Antonetti, but he wanted to be sure he and Callaway could mesh.
“He’s very well thought of in the organization,” Francona said. “And there are some people I know out of the organization that knew him that gave him very high marks.”
Antonetti said discussions were with four different people in the front office and lasted an entire day. Though there was nothing like video analysis or real-time simulation, there wasn’t much about pitching that wasn’t discussed.
“We talked about all aspects of it from the mechanical to fundamental to how to attack hitters to advance scouting to really every aspect of being a pitching coach,” Antonetti said. “It was an extensive process, and after that we had additional follow-up in writing where we asked each guy to specify their thoughts on particular questions.”
When the interview was finished, Francona’s apprehension was erased. He said he felt comfortable and assured Callaway would be a good fit and do a good job. One-third of the way into the season, Francona is beyond assured to impressed.
“Mickey has completely lived up to everything he said in his interview,” Francona said.
Callaway has helped Justin Masterson (7-2, 2.83) grow and Zach McAllister (4-3, 2.89) develop. He’s reminded Masterson to maintain his delivery and he’s worked endlessly with Ubaldo Jimenez to help him rediscover his delivery. He’s also been on the receiving end of Trevor Bauer’s pregame outfield-length long toss -- Callaway used a relay man to get the ball back to Bauer.
The team ERA is 4.07 (compared to 4.78 a year ago), opponents are hitting .240 and the strikeout-to-walk ratio is 2.41.
Callaway’s main challenge was no secret. Last season the Indians starting pitching was a shamble, and team president Mark Shapiro said its collapse was the reason the team collapsed.
In 2012 the Indians starters were 48-76 with a 5.25 ERA. In the second half, starters were 15-42 and 6.07.
This season, the Indians started slow. But since a 9-0 loss in Kansas City on April 28, Indians starters have gone 14-6 with a 3.82 ERA, with 17 quality starts in 25 games.
Callaway's main emphasis is not unique. He wants pitchers to “pound the zone,” to get ahead so they can have the advantage in counts.
The numbers prove the benefits. Opponents are hitting .268 after a 2-1 count, and .158 after a 1-2 count. When hitters are ahead in the count, opponents are hitting. 288 and .158 when behind.
“He reminds me of a veteran, good major league pitching coach,” Francona said. “I’m thrilled with what he’s done, is doing and will continue to do.”
