Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 11, 1991 TAG: 9104110132
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN SMALLWOOD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Salem Buccaneers' resident funny man is a walking one-liner. During the off-season, he performed on amateur night at several comedy clubs in his hometown of Fremont, Calif.
"I like doing that," said Buckholz, with a characteristic smirk. "Somebody's got to loosen these guys up."
Buckholz has no problem taking on that role.
But tonight, when the Bucs open their Carolina League season against the Winston-Salem Spirits, Buckholz will be the starting pitcher and zing some fastballs instead of punch lines.
Fun is fun, but baseball is business, and for Buckholz things are getting serious. Entering his fourth season as a professional, he has yet to move higher than the Class A Carolina League.
Buckholz, a 24-year-old right-hander, knows this is a pivotal point in his career.
"This is a real important year," said Buckholz, who was the Pittsburgh Pirates' fourth selection in the June 1988 draft. "I have to show [the Pirates] that I can pitch above this level this year. I think they're a little disappointed it's taking so long. I'm disappointed it's been this long."
A year ago he was in the same position - starting Opening Day for the Bucs and looking to make a quick move to Class AA.
"I was 6-3 with 4.00 ERA, which is pretty good for pitching in [cozy Municipal Field]," said Buckholz, who was drafted after his junior season at Fresno State. "I was thinking, `Just get the ERA down to about 3.5 and I'm off to Double A.' "
But then some not-so-funny things happened to Buckholz. His control went astray; the club changed his delivery; and, worst of all, he began to think - "a lot."
If it's true that baseball is 90 percent mental, Buckholz lost 70 percent of the battle.
"I went to 6-9 in a heartbeat," he said. "I was thinking to much. Then you start questioning your ability."
Buckholz finished 8-10 with a career-high 6.09 earned run average. He gave up 168 hits and 93 earned runs in 137 innings. He had 75 walks and 64 strikeouts.
"Walks killed me," Buckholz said. "In this league, there's no reason to pick. I just have to throw the ball over the plate for strikes."
After the Bucs ended the 1990 season, Buckholz was sent back to Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla., to spend time in the instructional league. During spring training, he said, his fastball was back consistently in the high-80 to low-90 mph range.
"I'm a little disappointed I'm [in Class A]," Buckholz said. "I don't think they gave me much of a chance to make Double A. But considering the season I had last year, I'm not surprised.
"I've had a progressive spring. I'm happier now with how I'm throwing than all of last year."
That has Buckholz in high spirits with the season about to start.
"If I pitch the way I know I can, I think I'll be in Double A in a couple of months," he said. "If you do the job [at Class A], they're not going to leave you there."
\ BUCSHOTS: The Bucs already have had their first roster move. Catcher Felix Antigua was reassigned to the Class AA Carolina Mudcats when catcher Mandy Romero, last season's Most Valuable Buc and Pittsburgh's minor-league player of the year, injured his shoulder in the last spring-training game. Romero will be out at least three weeks. Keith Osik will start at catcher for the Bucs tonight.
by CNB