Former pitcher Joe Grahe
saw extreme highs and lows during his professional baseball career that are
seldom experienced by the same player. For better or for worse they helped
shape his seven-year major league career, which as it turned out was a complete
success.
The right-handed Grahe was taken in the second round of the
1989 draft by the California Angels out of the University of Miami after having
been drafted and failing to sign with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1986 and Oakland
Athletics in 1988. He made quick work of the minors, getting called up to the
big leagues after just 23 minor league appearances.
Grahe started and relieved (including serving in the closer
role 1992-1994)for the Angels over the next five seasons before signing with
the Colorado Rockies as a free agent in 1995. Unfortunately, injuries derailed
his career and he was out of baseball in 1996 and 1997. However, he fought back
and made it back to the majors with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1999, where he
pitched in an additional 13 games and was able to finish his major league
career on his own terms.
In his seven-year career, Grahe went a combined 22-30 in 187
games (39 starts) with a 4.41 ERA and 45 saves. His best season came in 1992
when he had a 3.52 ERA and 21 saves, but truly impressed in the second half of
that season, as evidenced by his 2.17 ERA and 17 saves in 29 games after the
All Star break.
Grahe has a lot of interesting insight on his career and
time in baseball. Keep reading for more on this great example of perseverance.
Joe Grahe Interview
Who was your favorite
player when you were growing up, and why?: Johnny
Bench. Was a huge Reds fan in the ‘70s. I was in heaven when the
Reds came to West Palm Beach for a night spring training game and I got to see
him in person. My respect for him was cemented further when I saw him on the
Baseball Bunch TV show. Seemed like a great guy. I wish I could have met him.
How did you arrive at
your decision to attend the University of Miami (and then return there) after
being taken in the draft by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1986 and Oakland A's in
1988?: Toughest decision I ever made. For the Brewers it just came down to
me not thinking I was ready to go across the country and away from home. With
the A’s they really didn’t get serious about signing me until late in the
summer so I figured I might as well just go back to school. Plus I felt I was
better than fifth round.
You were promoted to
the majors with less than one full year of minor league ball under your belt.
Do you believe you were rushed, and how did getting called up so quickly impact
your career?: I’d have to say that I was probably rushed, but I wouldn’t
have wanted it any other way. It was tough at first getting over the fact that
I’m now pitching to guys that are on my baseball cards at home. It made them a
little too “larger than life” and caused me sometimes to give them too much
credit and not trust myself. It was definitely a trial by fire but I thought I
handled it pretty well.
What do you remember
most about your major league
debut?: Getting out to the mound and thinking “damn these lights
are bright.” Also I remember the feeling of pitching in a beehive. There were I
believe 52,000 people there that night and the constant din was remarkable.
In your opinion, who
was the most underrated player you ever played with or against, and if you are
feeling bold, is there anyone you can think of who was overrated?: Larry
Walker- best all-around player I ever played with. Could do it
all. The only thing I could possibly
comment on as far as being overrated was the season that Barry
Larkin had in his 1995 MVP season. Dante
Bichette should have won it.
What is your favorite
moment from your baseball career?: When we clinched the wild card in 1995
in Colorado. Coors Field went nuts. 1A would be taking the mound at the Vet
when I made it back in 1999. My first thought was “wow, I did it.”
What was the
difference in pitching in the Colorado atmosphere compared to lower elevations
for you?: I actually liked pitching there. My goal when I started was to go
seven innings and give up five runs or less. With our lineup that gave you a
good chance to win. As far as pitching goes the altitude made my sinker cut, and
the curveball will back up on you. You really had to get on top of that pitch
to make it work. It’s not a myth about altitude affecting your stuff. Plain
fact.
How did your journey
back from injuries impact you as a person?: I cried like a baby when I got
the call from our AAA manager Marc Bombard that I was being called up with the
Phillies. I had gone from having decent success in the majors to being back on
buses with kids just barely out of junior college ball (Northeast League 1997).
And then I made it back up. It was a long road and taught me simply that hard
work and persistence does in fact pay off.
What are you up to
since retiring as a player?: I am a realtor with ReMax in Jupiter, Forida.
And I also coach high school. I would like to coach in college if the
opportunity arises and I may at least try to get back into pro ball once my two
kids are on their own. I saw the sacrifices many coaches made when I was
playing in regards to their family life and decided that I wasn’t willing to
pay that price and leave my kids while I coached. But I do wonder what could
have been had I stayed in pro ball as a coach since I see other teammates that
have done quite well for themselves in the pro coaching ranks.
Who is a current
player you wish you had the chance to pitch again, and how would you approach
that at-bat?: I would like to face Giancarlo
Stanton. To me he seems very pitch-able on TV. But apparently not since
he is still launching!
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