We decided to go take a trip to see for ourselves what was going on. There had been some tension in conversation with DK, perhaps something was bothering him and he didn't want to tell us. He's had 3 operations to improve upon issues that were not very serious, so you automatically think, ok what's wrong now.
Listening to games had been painful, not really sure what to say to him after each outing. I know he really didn't want us to come see him when he was down but we decided that it was time. There were some things that were going on that he had no control over (very young team), but we felt that he needed support whether he wanted it or not. It wasn't like he has never struggled, but as he told me one night it had become a bit more like embarrassment to him, I have never heard that from him before.
The first night that we were there he came in and did a great job, the other two times were fair outings, one in which he got the win. Last Thursday two solid innings and a hold. He still is not happy with his total performance, but there has been improvement. I really feel that getting out every few days rather than carry it in his head for 6 days has helped, less time to think about what you did or didn't do wrong. As a releiver he doesn't have to chart, doesn't haven't to do some other stuff required from the startersso he likes the change.
I am learning the difference between starter and releiver mentality, it's interesting, you don't have to think quite as much, just throw the ball, get through 3 or the most 6 outs and you are done.
Listened last night to see if he would go in. Dave seems to have more of the "let's see if we can get the pitcher out of the jam" kind of role. He began to warm up as the pitcher looked like he was toasted, but he got himself out of the jam, then the birds scored, so he didn't get in. Tonight the birds were ahead, now a tie game in the 7th and I am assuming he is going to get in, maybe?
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