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October 24, 2008

On the Beat

Big Game James and Coming Up Big

by John Perrotto

ST. PETERSBURG—James Shields holds a distinction other than being the first pitcher in Rays' history to win a World Series game. The right-hander is also the first pitcher in baseball history with 32 career wins to have the nickname "Big Game"; that's what they call Shields in the clubhouse. It doesn't matter that he's been in the major leagues for all of three seasons and had never pitched in an actual big game for Tampa Bay until this year; he is still "Big Game James" to his teammates.

Shields smiles and sheepishly explains that the nickname has followed him from his days in the Rays' farm system. "A couple of players started calling me that, and it was kind of a joke at first," Shields said. "I ended up pitching a couple of good games in the minor leagues, and then the next thing you know the whole organization is calling me 'Big Game.' They don't call me by my first name anymore. When I got called up to the big leagues, the writers kind of got hold of that and started writing it. I don't think I have added pressure because of it, but I'm sure people that don't know the whole story wonder why people call me that."

Shields made the nickname seem believable on Thursday night as he bobbed and weaved through 5 2/3 treacherous but scoreless innings for the win, helping the Rays grind out a 4-2 victory over the Phillies in Game Two of the World Series at Tropicana Field. Now even at a game apiece, the series shifts to Philadelphia and Citizens Bank Park on Saturday night. Shields was far from overpowering as he allowed seven hits, walked two, and threw a wild pitch while striking out four. He failed to make it through the sixth inning for a second straight start after doing so in his final seven regular-season outings and his first two of the playoffs, but evened his post-season record at 2-2 after taking two losses in the American League Championship against the Red Sox.

"James lived up to his nickname, it just took him a few more pitches," Rays manager Joe Maddon said, after Sheets needed 104 pitches to get 17 outs. "I thought the Phillies did a great job. We found out those guys really work good at-bats. I didn't realize that was part of their equation. I hadn't seen them, but I know what I read, I know what I see. I was impressed. They made him work for his outs, and Shieldsy worked his butt off to get to that particular juncture of the game."

Shields did not necessarily agree with Maddon's decision to remove him with the Rays leading 4-0 with two outs and runners on the corners. Nevertheless, Dan Wheeler was brought in to face Pedro Feliz, and the move worked, as Feliz bounced into a force out to end the inning.