Levine: Samardizija, Cooper Spend Day Bonding
By Bruce Levine
GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS) -- Choosing a practice day over pitching in a Cactus League game created valuable bonding time for White Sox right-hander Jeff Samardzija and pitching coach Don Cooper on Saturday.
Samardzija threw 55 pitches in a simulated game against White Sox hitters while Cooper looked on. Samardzija will be on the mound in a spring training game again Tuesday.
"I am a big bullpen guy," Samardzija said. "I never miss a bullpen. I don't throw on flat ground. I really enjoy being on the mound. So for me a day like this is invaluable. I get instant feedback from him. Sometimes in spring training you just get caught up throwing your pitches. You then make adjustments after the fact. This way we can address areas I need to improve right on the spot."
The dynamic between the pitcher and pitching coach is a key relationship built in time with trust. For Samardzija and Cooper, the newness of the communication must not be rushed but instead nurtured.
"We acquired this guy for me not to teach him, but for him to go out and pitch and do well," Cooper said moments after Samardzija finished his simulated game. "We are here to help him. We are getting to know him. We look at what he likes to do with lefties and what he likes with right-handed hitters. We are first seeing him from our side. We are looking at everything now from the same side of the field. There was some bonding and real good work."
Samardzija has had three pitching coaches in less than 10 months now. He has heard about Cooper and the work he has done to help countless pitchers get better over his 14-year big league coaching career.
"A day like this helps both of us get a better feel for each other," Samardzija said. "Some pitching coaches like to coach a little more, some less. Same with pitchers; some like to be coached up a little more or in some guys less. We are both grown men with thick skin. We are able to tell each other what we really think. I can say to him if I don't like something -- 'Hey Coop, this is garbage lets' move on.' He has seen a couple of my sliders and can say, 'Hey those are garbage.' And I can learn from that."
Samardzija is probably the favorite to start Opening Day with Chris Sale sidelined with a foot injury. Samardizja has yet to be told if he or Jose Quintana will get the opener.
"Any time you get a chance to pitch in any game like that (is special )," Samardizja said. "Whether it's a playoff game, 163rd game, Opening Day, any special games you want to pitch in. That is so far away, I am not worried about it."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
