Graves grows into leadership role

Young pitchers have been asking Danny Graves for advice this spring.
(Jeff Swinger photo)
| ZOOM |
SARASOTA, Fla. — This might stun Reds fans who wonder whether Danny Graves has had his first shave, but he's actually a time-tested veteran.

Just as Graves' youthful features enhance his appeal, his experience accents his value. Graves' maturity shows not only in his presence on the mound when he's protecting ninth-inning leads, but also in his presence in the clubhouse as a candid leader.

At 27, Graves is still young enough to develop his skills further. Yet he's seasoned enough to know how to help the team as well as himself.

He has intensified his workouts, adding lower-body weightlifting to his regimen.

“I think if I start better habits right now, it's going to prolong my career,” said Graves, who has spent three full seasons and parts of two others in the major leagues. “You never want to wait until it's too late to start doing that stuff. I want to be able to play 10, 12 years down the road.”

He embraces his role as a central figure among fellow players, knowing he can provide a positive influence. This spring, several younger Reds have sought advice from Graves, from matters involving daily schedules to more essential questions regarding the subtleties of pitching.

“I'm comfortable with that,” Graves said. “If I was asked to be more of a team leader, I wouldn't tell them no.”

Graves' grace emerges most in adverse circumstances. He discusses blown saves as readily as his bases-loaded escape acts. And though it's said money changes everything, it didn't change Graves.

The right-hander was outraged after losing his salary arbitration case last month, when he received the club's offer of $2.1 million instead of his request for $3.075 million. Graves felt cheated because the arbitrators were informed shortly before his hearing ended that Florida closer Antonio Alfonseca agreed to a two-year, $6 million deal, which might have hurt his case. And Chicago White Sox closer Keith Foulke won his bid for a $3.1 million contract, though his 2000 statistics weren't as good as Graves'.

But instead of tearing up his locker or demanding a trade, Graves vented his frustrations on the afternoon of his arbitration decision.

“I'm not going to go around crying about losing in arbitration when all these other guys are crying because they want (contract) extensions,” Graves said, referring to Gary Sheffield of Los Angeles and Frank Thomas of the White Sox. “They make $100 million and they want an extension? I'm not begging for more. If you continue to play hard and have fun, you're going to win and you're going to get your money sooner or later.”

Graves said he never dreamed he could earn $2.1 million for playing baseball for a single season.

“Last year when I was making $400,000, I thought I was pretty rich,” Graves said. “Compared to the salaries in the big leagues, that's nothing. But I was rich, compared to a lot of everyday people. That's why, when I get a $1.7 million raise, how do you cry? The next day you get over it (losing in arbitration), or you find another job.”

Manager Bob Boone could make Graves' job easier by using him strictly in the ninth inning, the status enjoyed by premier closers such as San Diego's Trevor Hoffman and San Francisco's Robb Nen. Graves saved 57 games in the past two years yet wasn't used exclusively in the ninth until the final month of last season.

Because the bullpen is a presumed Cincinnati strength, with Sullivan, Mark Wohlers and John Riedling capable of bridging the gap from the middle to late innings, Boone could spare Graves until he's absolutely needed.

“If it shakes out the way I'd really like it to, yeah, I'd love that,” Boone said. “Pitchers are better if they understand a role; you want to keep them in one. With this bullpen, I think you can start visualizing roles.”

Graves can visualize improving, though he'll be hard- pressed to beat last season's All-Star numbers: a 10-5 record with a 2.56 ERA and 30 saves in 35 chances. Graves amassed four “tough” saves — victories he preserved when he entered the game with the tying run anywhere on base — which tied him for third-most in the league.

“There's a lot of room for me to improve,” Graves said. “And I think the more I improve, the better this team will be.”

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