Former Eagle Cishek on Miami Marlins' roster for Opening Day 2012
MIAMI - Miami Marlins relief pitcher Steve Cishek describes himself as a “relatively quite guy”. His former coach at Carson-Newman, Tom Griffin, says Cishek is as humble as they come. That’s in stark contrast to Miami’s new skipper, Ozzie Guillen, who is known for his fiery persona and occasional tirade. Yet, Cishek has loved every minute of spring training in Florida in 2012. This will be the first year that the C-N alum will start the season on the Marlins’ opening day roster.
April 4, 2012
MIAMI - Miami Marlins relief pitcher Steve Cishek describes himself as a "relatively quite guy". His former coach at Carson-Newman, Tom Griffin, says Cishek is as humble as they come.
That's in stark contrast to Miami's new skipper, Ozzie Guillen, who is known for his fiery persona and occasional tirade.
Yet, Cishek has loved every minute of spring training in Florida in 2012. This will be the first year that the C-N alum will start the season on the Marlins' opening day roster.
He saw action the past two years, but only after being called up during the middle of the season. He has approached the challenge like any other in his professional career.
"I basically went into this season with the same mentality that I always have," Cishek said. "We had a lot of guys coming back, and we've brought in some new guys, but anything can happen."
"I just go out there trying to get hitters out, and whatever happens, happens. I've had a pretty decent spring and it's worked out well."
The Marlins team that Cishek ended 2011 has no resemblance to the one that will open the season today in Cincinnati.
First off, there was the name-change, new logo, and fresh new colors. Previously known as the Florida Marlins, the team became known as the Miami Marlins during the offseason. That was due in part to the opening of a new state-of-the-art, $515 million dollar stadium on the site of the old Miami Orange Bowl.
The Marlins also went through an overhaul in the personnel department this past offseason.
They brought in the out-spoken Guillen and then added high-priced free agents such as coveted short-stop Jose Reyes and closer Heath Bell.
Despite all the changes, though, Cishek remained in the thick of the talk when it came to competing for a spot in the bullpen. His spring numbers were hard to ignore.
He made seven appearances with 8.2 innings pitched, allowing just one earned run while striking out nine. That compliments his numbers the previous two seasons – for his MLB career he has made 12 appearances with a 1.15 ERA and 15 strikeouts.
"There is a lot of excitement down here regarding the baseball team right now and I'm looking forward to being a part of it," Cishek said.
The team has adjusted well to all the changes and additions, he noted, and chemistry hasn't been a problem during the spring.
"Everyone is getting along great, actually," he said. "Out in the bullpen, we are like a family. It's fun to see."
Cishek got called up in May last year, and though the Marlins were in contention in the National League races at the time, they fell apart as the season wore on.
He says the expectations entering this season are unlike any he's seen regarding baseball in Miami.
"With all the acquisitions we've made, the fans are pumped up," Cishek said. "We played the Yankees in an exhibition game at the new stadium (earlier this week) and the atmosphere was electric."
"A lot more fans seem interested. The new ball park is awesome. It's some much nicer having a baseball game in a park with roof and air condition, instead of a football stadium with the sun beating down on us."
Despite being five years removed from his Carson-Newman career, Cishek still makes time during the offseason to get back to Jefferson City and spend time with Griffin, C-N assistant coach Charlie Monroe and other friends.
"I usually come back a week or so and work out during the offseason," Cishek explained. "I'm from Massachusetts, and it's cold up there during the offseason so I have to stay indoors. Down in Tennessee I can usually get outside, and Griff and those guys open everything up for me."
"Carson-Newman is like my second home, it means the world to me. I absolutely love it. I try to get down there anytime I can."
In fact, Cishek credits Griffin and the Carson-Newman program to getting him to the level he competes at today.
Cishek was a late bloomer, and really didn't find his niche in the Eagles' program until his junior season.
"My freshman year, I didn't really have much work ethic," he admitted. "In high school, I did whatever I had to in order to get by. I learned real quick at Carson-Newman, they were going to work you to death and push you to the max level."
"When I got there, I topped out at 82-84 miles per hour. When I left, I topped out at 94. That's a drastic difference, and all the credit goes to the Carson-Newman coaching staff."
Cishek is the first Carson-Newman player to start the season in the majors since Clyde Wright did so with the Angels in 1966. Wright made the All-Start team in 1970.
"Steve is a great representative of Carson-Newman," Griffin said. "He visited us for a week before spring training and does a great job helping and interacting with our players."
"he was part of a special group of players during his time here that were very successful on and off the field. It's great to see him having the success that he is having."
(Courtesy Darren Reese, Standard-Banner)