Sun Nov 22 2009
By TIM McDONOUGH
The 2009 Major League Baseball season was a tale of two halves for former Defiance High School and current Los Angeles starting pitching standout Chad Billingsley.
The hard-throwing righty got off to a blistering start for the Dodgers, going 9-4 the first three months of the season on his way to being named to his first National League All-Star Team. Following the All-Star Game, Billingsley went 3-7 in the second half to finish 12-11 overall with a 4.03 ERA.
After pitching in just one postseason game for L.A. out of the bullpen, Billingsley and the Dodgers saw the 2009 campaign end in the same place it did in 2008, in a series loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Championship Series.
"This season was another learning experience for me, it certainly had its ups and downs," said Billingsley who just completed his third full season in the major leagues and his fourth overall. "I had a great first half, I was selected to play in the All-Star Game and that turned out to be a once in a lifetime experience ... being around that group of guys, Hall of Famers, it was just so awesome ... I really can't put it into words.
"My second half wasn't terrible, but the truth is I struggled a bit," continued the righty. "When I found myself starting to struggle, I started thinking too much and overanalyzing things. Then I found myself pressing, and I lost some confidence. I learned I needed to have more trust in myself and in my stuff."
Despite his struggles in the second half, Billingsley again found himself in the postseason with the Dodgers, who won the National League West for the second straight year. It marked the third time in his four seasons that he was a part of the postseason.
"It's always great to make the postseason, there are some guys who go their whole career and never make it," said Billingsley. "I feel very lucky to be a part of three trips to the postseason. There's really nothing like being in the playoffs, it's just a whole different experience. It's just so exciting and the atmosphere is unbelievable.
"Toward the end of the season, I started feeling like my old self again," added Billingsley. "Once I stopped thinking too much and I put trust in myself again, it started to fall back into place. I would have loved to have started a game in the division series and in the championship series, but it was out of my hands and I just wanted to do what was best for our team."
Billingsley did indeed make the postseason roster for the Dodgers, but didn't get a start in the divisional series against St. Louis because L.A. swept the Cardinals in three games. He was slated to start Game 4. Heading into the championship series with the Phillies, manager Joe Torre decided to use Billingsley out of the bullpen instead of his usual starting role.
While many in the media in Los Angeles made a big deal out of the move, Billingsley took it in stride, knowing that the goal of the Dodgers was to win the World Series.
"You can't think, 'me, me, me,' because if you do that you're not in the right frame of mind and that means you're not mentally prepared to try and reach the ultimate goal of winning the World Series," said Billingsley. "It is totally different going from being a starter to a reliever and vice versa, but I had an idea that could happen because Joe (Torre) let me know what he was thinking.
"Did I want to start? Of course I did, but at the same time I was willing to do whatever the team needed me to do if it meant that we could get to the World Series," added Billingsley. "I was prepared for the situation, I was ready to do whatever I could to help the team and if I was in the same situation again, I would do the exact same thing."
The righty did make one postseason appearance out of the bullpen against the Phillies in the championship series, allowing two runs and two hits in 31/3 inning. Once again Billingsley was impressed with Philadelphia.
"That Phillies' offense is very dangerous and as a pitcher, you really don't have any room for error," said Billingsley. "They are a great team at home too, and their ballpark is perfect for the way they play. They have power, speed and great starting pitching. Their bullpen was great in championship series too."
Billingsley is now taking some time off to relax before starting a conditioning program within the next two weeks. As soon as December rolls around, Billingsley will start throwing again in preparation for spring training and the 2010 season.
Before next season, the righty will be arbitration eligible for the first time in his career, which could mean a sizable pay raise. Billingsley is under contract for the next three seasons with the Dodgers, meaning his could be in California for the foreseeable future.
"Back when I was drafted, I said that I was getting the chance to do what I love to do and that hasn't changed at all," concluded Billingsley. "Like any job, it has its pros and cons. There's a lot of traveling, long days and you're away from your family for long stretches and that's difficult. But when you're on the field, it's like being a kid again ... I love that part of my job."
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