The Invisible Man

Boasting little professional experience of any kind under his belt, Wade quickly ascended from duties mostly of the "mop up" variety- "a look see," as Joe Torre described Wade's early outings- to being handed crucial situations during tight contests.  And the promotion hasn't led to any frayed nerves in the opinion of his manager.  "I don't shy away from any of that stuff with him," says Torre.  "He doesn't seem to be bothered by what inning he pitches.  For the most part, he keeps a hitter off balance."  Fellow pen dweller Joe Beimel has been around the game a while, which likely qualifies his high opinion of Wade as sufficiently educated.  The vet even sees a bit of himself in the youngster.  "He's one of those guys like me that doesn't go out there and throw 95+, but he's still able to get guys out by locating and just trusting his stuff."  In the case of Wade, he's grown increasingly more confident in his talent, a belief that could make or break any hurler, particularly one of his inexperience.  Notes Beimel, "To pitch at this level and and be successful, you have to almost be on the verge of being a little arrogant."

"Arrogant" may describe Wade while standing on the hill, but catch him by his locker (which, fittingly, wasn't easy for me to do, since he's often everywhere but in plain sight) and the vibe is strictly humble.  He resents not even slightly the lack of dap tossed his way.  If anything, that fits the pitcher- who didn't earn much ink as a Broad Ripple High School athlete in Indiana and threw for smallish Kentucky Wesleyan- to a tee.   "It's not anything that's uncommon for me," shrugs Wade.  "It's fine.  It fits my personality.  I'm just kind of a quiet, more laid back person.  I was a low round pick.  Somebody has to fly under the radar.  I really don't mind being that guy.  I think it allows me to concentrate on the things that I need to do.  I just benefits me personally." 

A lack of hype also means lowered, less defined expectations.  For that matter, the righty didn't consider a nod at this point in the season to be a given.  "I was looking more in September, to be completely honest, I really wasn't sure," says Wade a little sheepishly.  "I had a good year last year, but I really didn't know how many moves are actually made up here, because I've never been up here.  It was a huge shock to me when it did happen."  Thus, Wade really had no idea how he'd be used.  Nor did he really care, as long as he stuck.  But as the season progressed, he began to sense faith blossoming from Torre and pitching coach Rock Honeycutt, which led to tougher assignments presented and conquered.  "After about a month or so, I think they got some confidence to see that I could actually pitch."  These days, he's just now starting to feel comfortable (although not complacent) with his role on the team, that he actually does belong here.  "When you first get up here, you're very uneasy, because you're really not sure of the things you should do on or off the field.  You've really got to learn on the fly."

So with some education now under his belt,  Wade believes he's discovered the perfect formula for fitting in.  It involves a lot of "head down, yap closed, clock punched."  Anything else, in the rookie's eyes, leaves you vulnerable to either humiliation from opposing batsman or disapproving looks from teammates.  "Do what you can.  Throw your pitches.  Hit your spots.  Shut your mouth.   Go about your business.  You don't want to be on the mound woofing and doing whatever.  Do your job." 

And after that glamorous description of big league middle relief are concluded, what constitutes the rest of the gig, in Wade's mind?  "Get off the field.  Go back home and mind your own business," laughs Wade.  Lest anyone mistake these words for a lack of enthusiasm, this experience has been a blast for the young pitcher.  Just not necessarily a blast that requires a spotlight.  Thus, if you want to keep forgetting Wade is on the team, there's no need to worry about any hurt feelings.  "It doesn't bother me one bit.  Not at all.  To never be talked about, ever, will never bother me."

In other words, as I later joked, don't count on hearing the phrase, "That's just Cory being Cory" coined anytime soon.

AK

AUDIO

• Cory Wade: Download cory_wade.mp3
• Joe Torre (on Wade): Download joe_torre.mp3
• Joe Beimel (on Wade): Download joe_beimel.mp3
  

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