Brian Walton
November 2, 2004
Exclusive Birdhouse Interview with Carmen Cali
with Brian Walton
When left-handed relief pitcher Carmen Cali received a late-season call-up to the St. Louis Cardinals, most observers said “Who?” While the Cleveland native’s initial ten-game stint in the majors was not dominating, it confirmed the 25-year-old has promise.
After all, it’s not often that a player advances three levels in a single season. Yet, that is precisely what Cali did in 2004. He began the season in Tennessee (Double-A), where he logged 14 saves. Cali’s next stop was Memphis (Triple-A) before getting the call to join the big club on September 15th, to provide depth both as Steve Kline’s physical problems mounted and as the club wanted to give regulars, such as fellow lefty Ray King, rest prior to the playoffs.
Prior to last season, after being selected in the tenth round of the 2000 draft from Florida Atlantic University, Cali played at three stops in A-ball before setting a Midwest League record with 62 appearances for Palm Beach in 2003.
Cali’s ability to adjust to the increased competition was a factor in his fast rise during 2004, as were the mechanical adjustments which led to a marked increase in the velocity of his fastball.
Over his minor league career, Cali has fanned almost a batter per inning, which is twice as many hitters as he walks. The former is good, while the latter could be improved. Perhaps that is one of the reasons Cali was asked to participate in the Arizona Fall League in 2004. Sure enough, in his first 11-1/3 innings in the desert, Cali whiffed ten, and issued just one free pass.
With Kline’s 2005 return doubtful, Cali is in a great position to claim King’s lefty sidekick role next season. Cali is well-aware of what the future could bring and is excited about it, while at the same time, clearly knows he has to earn it on the mound.
Finishing 2003 in A-ball, did you ever expect to end this season in St. Louis?
If I started throwing strikes I thought I would move up, but I didn’t think it would happen as fast as it did.
Two years ago, you set an Appalachian League record for appearances. How important is durability to you?
Very. I know a lot of organizations like that, where a guy can go out day after day and not need days off. It’s like being a high commodity, I guess. Being left-handed is also a high commodity. So, being left-handed and being able to throw four days out of the week is pretty good.
You closed for part of this season for Tennessee. How much do you enjoy that?
I like closing. I like closing a lot. You get a lot of adrenaline when you are closing. It’s not like coming in the game in the seventh, when the game is not on the line. I like the ninth inning, when it is on the line. So, it’s a little more intense in the ninth inning being the closer, which is fun.
Left-handers don’t always get the chance to close, though. Are you prepared to accept the situational lefty role if needed?
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. That is what I plan on being and hope to be. But, I’ll close if I have to.
One of the things that scouts noticed was your increased velocity this season. To what do you attribute that?
You know, I don’t know why. I think it might just be the different mechanics that I am using. I’ve always thrown kind of hard, but this year, it’s just been a little extra. I don’t know if it because I am just getting older or I don’t know what’s going on.
It’s all relative about that age thing…
Yeah, I am getting my old man strength, I think. (laughs) No, I don’t know. I painted in this off-season. Maybe the wax on, wax off helped or something. (He exhibits a painting motion with his arm.)
You mentioned a change in mechanics. What did you do there?
I sped up to the plate a little bit, which helped me throw strikes more. And, my arm slot is higher now than it used to be. I used to be almost sidearm, but now I am higher than I used to be, so maybe that has something to do with the velocity, too.
With questions about Steve Kline’s return for 2005, is that role something for which you hope to compete in the spring?
Oh, yeah, yeah, for sure. That is all I am competing for. That is what I want.
When did they ask you to come down here to Arizona? Was it before you were called up to St. Louis?
Yeah. That was the original plan. Bruce Manno (Cardinals Player Development Director) asked me when I was in Triple-A with a couple of weeks left in the season, “Would you like to go to the Arizona Fall League?” And I was like, “Of course. Of course.” I had no idea that I was going to be in the big leagues at the end of the year.
Did you watch the playoffs and World Series differently, having just been there with the team every day?
Yeah. Knowing all the guys and how good the guys are, I wanted them to win so bad. I know a lot of the guys are older now and they would have loved to win the World Series. I don’t know how many times they’ll be back. With that group of guys, they deserved it. They got there, which is good, but I wish they had won it.
So does everyone in the Cardinal nation. But, it was nice to be able to contribute in your own way, wasn’t it?
Yeah, it was awesome.
You’re expecting to get a Spring Training invitation with the big club, then?
Yeah, I am expecting that. I mean, I don’t know for sure, but that is what I am hoping.
Ok, hope to see you there. Thanks for your time.
No problem.
