Peoria Free Press: Lights Out - Cliff Lee

From Castaway To Consistency, Peoria Ace Cliff Lee Has Catapulted Himself Into The Conversation








Lights Out - Cliff Lee
By Rey Bingo, Peoria Free Press

The transformation that is Cliff Lee’s career has been astonishing, even for the Peoria brass. “When we picked him up a few weeks into the season we expected his veteran presence to help our young talent,” said Cardinals GM Dave Grubb. “The comeback season that has ensued is straight out of a Disney movie.”

It was just one year ago that Lee found himself unable to keep up with EHCC lineups, ultimately landing him in the unemployment office. As Peoria entered Spring Training prior to the 2008 season, it was clear that the team was determined to start improving a pitching staff that finished near last in every category in 2007. With the emergence of Edinson Volquez, Chad Billingsley, and Shaun Marcum, the Cardinals pitching staff stormed out of the gate but remained young and inexperienced. The Cardinals front office made the decision to take a chance on Cliff Lee, and have gotten so much more than they could have ever dreamed.

“Initially we thought Lee would be a great asset to our future aces, but we never dreamed the impact road would be a two-way street,” explained Peoria pitching coach Danny Graves. The fact that Lee has been able to ingest the youthful and carefree spirit of Peoria’s young arms has been the key to this Control King’s turnaround. “Prior to this year I felt as though if I wasn’t perfect one night that I would need to go out and prove my abilities the next time out, but being around these youngsters has allowed me to breathe easy and reminds me there’s always tomorrow. I no longer take my last start with me into my next start,” explained Lee on his change in mindset this season.

Throughout the month of July, Lee’s name was swirling in multiple trade rumors. While this distraction may have knocked the Lee Express off course in previous years, the now more at ease Cliff Lee continued rolling; collecting 6 wins with an ERA just over 3 for the month. While GM Dave Grubb insists that Lee was dangled only with intent of dealing him for an overpriced return, he admits that the greatest move this team may have ended up making was actually standing firm and holding onto Peoria’s ace.

With Peoria eliminated from playoff contention yet again, Lee’s magical season has single-handedly kept Peoria fans interested, and the turnstiles moving. Cliff Lee has made it next to impossible for critics, voters, and EHCC fans to ignore his production. With a league best 18 wins, and 2.43 ERA to go along with a freakishly K:BB rate of almost 5.5, Lee has put himself front and center in the discussion for the best SP in the EHCC this season; truly amazing individual stats pitching for a team well under .500.

Lee himself readily admits that the individual accolades are nice. At the age of 29 he has proven to be a late bloomer, but his lengthy path to success continues to be a lesson in humility for young studs such as Edinson Volquez, Chad Billingsley, and company. With a full off season to work with Peoria’s young assets, this organization feels as though the Cardinals will be ready for a playoff push as soon as next season. Cliff Lee has truly helped change the landscape of this teams once atrocious pitching void.