MINNEAPOLIS Min. Five questions with Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway who is finishing his first year on the job.
Q. What has been the most pleasant surprise in your first year as a big league pitching coach
A. The way the guys accepted us as a coaching staff right away. The players have to let you in and trust you and they did it right away. Tito (manager Terry Francona) had a lot to do with that.
Q. The pitchers say you listen as much as you coach. Is that a big part of your coaching strategy
A. I want to make sure I can communicate with pitchers the right way. The way to do that I feel is to listen and see how they feel about things before you can offer anybody advice.
Q. What do you think is causing Chris Perez to struggle
A. He's been opening his front leg a little and his arm slot has come up a little. So everything is up and flat and the hitters are seeing the ball a little more.
Q. What kind of pitcher were you during your 14 year professional career
A. I was a power pitcher when I was young then I turned into a feel guy with command after some arm problems. I threw 88 to 90 mph with a big curveball. I ended up throwing a knuckleball my last four years of pitching. R.A. Dickey and I used to mess around with it when we were with Texas.
Q. What have you thought of the performances of Justin Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez
A. Masty said in the offseason that he was ready to lead and he came in from day one and led the staff. Ubaldo has gone out there every five days regardless of how he feels or how he's pitching and logged innings for the team. He's been tremendous.
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