We are constantly hearing about those selfish, self-centered million-dollar ballplayers who take the money and run, so it was with great pleasure that I shook the hand of pitcher Jose Guzman of the Cubs.
Guzman, you may recall, was a footnote in the recent story about Crystal Guerrero, the then-6-week-old girl kidnapped from a city health clinic. Guzman offered a $15,000 reward in the search for her recovery. The story had a happy ending. The baby was returned unharmed.
So I assumed he saved the 15 grand.
“Oh, no,” he said, “it’s been put in a trust fund.”
Guzman explained that he and his wife, Monika, were at a cafe having dinner when he heard about the abduction.
“We saw the baby’s mother on television,” Guzman said. “She was so hurt. She is of Spanish descent and didn’t know the language. She had trouble speaking English. And I said, `We’ve got to do something to help.’ “
I told him that, in my mind, what he did was more thrilling than if he had pitched a no-hitter.
“A lot of ballplayers do things you never hear about,” Guzman said. “When you have a lot of money, it gives you a chance to help some people who really need it.”
Turns out Guzman is also active in child-rescue programs and gives more than his money. He gives his time.
“It’s important to show these people there is someone who is there for them,” he said. “To make them feel good and believe in themselves. It gives them more confidence and helps in their self-esteem.”
And what about Jose Guzman? He was 12-10 last season, with a 4.34 earned-run average, a good enough season but not outstanding.
Guzman laughed.
“I need more self-esteem in spring training,” he replied. “I can’t explain it, but it’s a bad time for me. My curveball doesn’t curve, my slider doesn’t slide and my sinker doesn’t sink. But I hope to change that. For the last two months I’ve been working hard to get in shape.
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“I told my wife, `Monika, I’ve never set goals before, but this year I’m going to win 20 games.’ “
To win 20, he must improve his control. His biggest problem is that his fastball comes in too high. He has to keep it down.
“I know,” he said. “I’m going to concentrate on that. This year, nothing above the knees.”
Fact is, he lost his chance for a no-hitter in his Cubs debut last year because of a letter-high fastball. He held the Atlanta Braves hitless for 8 2/3 innings and needed only one more out for the no-hitter. Otis Nixon broke it up with a hard single to left.
“I should have thrown my changeup,” Guzman said. “That’s my best pitch. I get most of my strikeouts with the changeup.”
Nixon prevented him from becoming the first pitcher to throw a Wrigley Field no-hitter since Milt Pappas in 1972. Typically, Guzman tipped his cap to Nixon.
“It’s too bad I didn’t get it,” Guzman said, “but there was nothing I could do about it. We won (1-0), but the game was over. I tipped my cap to give him credit. He won that battle.”
But Guzman admitted it was hard to take.
“I’ll never forget that day, being so close to a no-hitter. It’s like when you’re a kid and you get a nice toy and someone takes it away from you. That’s the feeling I had.”
What about the season ahead? Should Cubs fans expect another fourth-place finish?
“Oh, no, we’ll do a lot better. Don’t forget what we did in September. We won 19 of our last 27 games. All we’ve got to do is pick up where we left off.”
I told him he was overly optimistic.
“I love this team,” he insisted. “The only thing I love more than this team is my wife and kids.”
Win or lose, the people of Chicago should love Jose Guzman.