Second Time Around, Clyne is Smarter

July 31, 2008   ·   Patrick Hickey, Jr.   ·   Jump to comments

In 2007, Cyclones reliever Stephen Clyne impressed scouts and media alike with an explosive slider and a fastball that put hitters away faster than a Chuck Liddell cross, going 1-1 with a 2.05 ERA and eight saves in 20 games. After spending most of the 2008 season in St. Lucie, where he went 1-3 with a 5.93 ERA in 27 games, Clyne was sent to Brooklyn a few weeks ago to be the team’s closer, a role he had for most of last season. Despite some problems in Brooklyn as well this season, Clyne has six saves and eight strikeouts in as many innings. Chatting with DemBrooklynBums.com, Clyne talks about his game and being back in Brooklyn.

Dem Brooklyn Bums: You were the closer in Brooklyn a good chunk of last season. How does it feel to be back in that role this season?

Stephen Clyne: It feels great to be back. They brought me back because they were having problems late in ballgames. When I was in St. Lucie, they told me they got a call from management saying they needed me here and they wanted me to be their guy so I packed my bags and headed here. I was starting to pitch much better in St. Lucie and I’m hoping I can convert that into some success over here as well.

DBB: How are you a different pitcher from last year?

Clyne: I’m smarter. I’m a lot smarter. I respond better in different situations and I know that I’m a pitcher now, not a thrower. Being able to think my way through situations on the mound has helped me a lot in St. Lucie and again, I hope I can use it to my benefit here.

DBB: Do you have any idea if you’re going to spend the rest of season here or if your assignment is temporary?

Clyne: I have no idea. Like I said, I was brought in to help this team in the late innings and that’s what I’m going to do.

DBB: How were you getting along in St. Lucie?

Clyne: Things were going great. I loved the coaches down there and I had a good relationship with them. I put in a lot of work down there. I didn’t have a very good first half. It was really bad actually, but I managed to get myself back on track and started pitching really well. I think that’s why I’m here now.

DBB: You said you started off weak this season. What do you think was the turning point?

Clyne: I started off the season with a bunch of little mechanical problems and I think it got to the point where my hard work started to pay off. They had me doing a lot of drills that made me stay back more. Before, I was trying to throw as hard as I could. Now, I’m a pitcher and I feel a lot better on the mound.

Link:

Box Score to last night’s 2-1 Cyclone win.

Photo by Patrick Hickey Jr.