How do you spell relief?: Interview with Mark Melancon
Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 10:48 pm by SJK
NoMaas' Sensei John Kreese runs down Mark Melancon and subjects him to interview questions.
SJK: How has the spring been so far for you?
MM: Although the weather has been colder than expected, spring has been great so far!
SJK: What types of things are you working on? Are you looking to improve any particular pitches?
MM: I am always working on location, since I believe it is the most important thing to pitching. I have also been working on getting better rotation on my curveball, more of a 1-7 movement - also, staying short with my arm path in order to stay on top of the ball and create a down plane.
SJK: How hard is it to balance trying to develop your weaker pitches in spring training with attempting to make the 25-man roster out of camp? In other words, do you ever feel conflicted with trying to produce results that catch Girardi's eye versus furthering your development and risk getting smacked around by hitters?
MM: Spring Training is more of a tryout for me as opposed to a time to work on things. I don't necessarily work on things when I am trying to "impress," I usually work on stuff in the bullpen or during my daily catch routine.
SJK: Over your minor league career, you've proven to possess a rare combination of qualities: Lots of strikeouts (8.7 K/9), not many walks (2.0 BB/9), and lots of induced groundballs (57.6%). What is your strategy for attacking hitters in such a manner that you're able to do all of these things?
MM: I think my plan is just that, to attack.
SJK: After you had Tommy John surgery in 2006, did you change anything about your preparation and/or mechanics?
MM: Tommy John allowed me to refine some mechanics, create a more diligent rehab routine, and have a sense of clarity with my elbow.
SJK: What is your ultimate goal as a reliever?
MM: My goal as a reliever is to get out of every jam that I come into.
SJK: What are your goals for 2010? Do you think it will be difficult to crack the 25-man considering the depth in the Yankees pen?
MM: My goals for the season are to get on the 25-man roster as soon as possible and to help the team as much as I am capable.
SJK: Let's talk about your first trip to the bigs. First of all, congratulations. What did it feel like to get the call-up? How did you find out?
MM: The first trip up was a dream come true. I was stretching in the outfield getting ready to play in a Triple-A game in Rochester, NY when Scott Aldred told me Dave Miley wanted to see me. I knew immediately what was happening. What I didn't know was that I had to get on a plane in less then 40 minutes. I had to get my luggage from both the stadium and also the hotel, get into street clothes, find a plane ticket for my wife who was visiting me at the time, and take back the rental car that we had just rented.
Needless to say, we made it to Boston. It was the 5th inning and I had to scramble to get my second uniform on in just a few hours as Mariano kept telling me to hurry up since he was going to the bullpen in the 6th inning. I guess it was all worth it since my dream came true in the 7th inning as I ran on to the field with the packed stadium on their feet singing "Sweet Caroline." A good day to say the least.
SJK: In your 16 innings, you posted a respectable 3.86 ERA. However, when we look a bit deeper into the numbers, it wasn't the Mark Melancon we all know and love, particularly with the amount of walks (10 BB). For those of us who will never step foot on a major league field unless we jump the fence and later get taken down by security, did nerves affect you at all?
MM: After all, we are humans and nerves are still a factor. More than anything my want to be in the big leagues created more nerves than anything. I didn't want to leave, which may have caused me to think about it more than I should have.
SJK: Entrance music for 2010? We can help if you're still undecided, just ask Swish.
MM: No, I don't need help with music, but I don't think NY fans would like country music too much.
SJK: If the Yankees didn't have a facial hair policy, would you grow a handlebar mustache?
MM: No, I am not a big facial hair guy.
Many thanks to Mark spending time with NoMaas and we hope to see him in the Boogie Down soon.
Tags: bullpen, interviews, melancon
I like Melancon. I think we’ll definitely be seeing him in the Boogie Down this season and the seasons that follow. Go Yanks!!! Boston Sucks!!!
If Hughes is the 5th starter, I’d like to see Joba start in AAA and let this guy work out of the Pen for us.
Good read…but…
You guys really need to start proof reading your work. There are a lot of things that need to be fixed in this interview.
You guys really need to start proof reading your work.
proofreading
just saying.
Steve,
Ok, but there are sentences written in the above interview you can’t even understand.
“SJK: How hard is it to balance trying to develop your weaker pitches in spring training with attempting to make the 25-man roster out of camp? In other words, do you ever feel conflicted with trying to produce results that catch Girardi’s eye versus furthering your development and risk getting smacked around by hitters?”
This whole thing needs to be re written. I’m writing a blog comment, not a full interview with a Yankees player. I’m not proofing my blog comments and I don’t know anyone who does.
This also needs to be fixed:
“SJK: Over your minor league career, you’ve proven to possess a rare combination of qualities: Lots of strikeouts (8.7 K/9), not many walks (2.0 BB/9), and lots of induced groundballs (57.6%). What is your strategy for attacking hitters in such a manner that you’re able to do all of these things?”
I’m just sayin’. It’s confusing at times to read. It would be better if it was fixed.
Butcher has to be the whiniest bitch I’ve ever seen. There is no way on earth he has ever touched a woman. There’s nothing wrong with those two things you quoted. I understand them fine.
Not whining. Just trying to make this site better. I do enjoy the interviews and I really like this site.
Buther, proofread is one word. Take your own advice.
The wording has been fixed and it sounds 100% better. Nomaas rules.
Sorry if anyone felt insulted. My intent was not to insult anyone at Nomaas. I just wanted to help edit the site. If you guys want to send me stuff to proofread I would be happy to help out.
I think I am just completely confused today. Ugh. Nevermind anything I’ve said at all in this thread…well other than that the interview is good. That part is true.
If you ‘proofed’ your blog comments it might make this site better
House on a Hill – i’m with you; I think that’s exactly what should happen. Keep Hughes and Joba out of the pen. one guy has to go start at AAA. i dont care which anymore.
Maybe Butcher is reading these to blind kids. Won’t you bastards think of all the illegitimite NoMaas-loving children. You monstahs
Butcher,
I was just busting your balls, it was a joke.
Great interview as always. You guys are on a different level. Untouchable.
Hey Mark…. take Sensei’s advice on music…nobody wants to hear your shitty country music.
Who’s Mark Melancon??
That’s funny b/c the Strike Zone is talking, implying they’ve never met. I get it. I like jokes.
I really don’t believe it. I hope Wayne Rooney is ok for the world cup!
In my own estimation, wayne rooney is actually the finest footballer in the globe, and i cannot wait to see him secure the golden boot for the most goals scored in this world cup.
Prettyy interesting stuff here. Pretty cool if I dont say so myself.