The worst slump I ever had was in 1995 with the Baltimore Orioles. I threw pretty good for the first couple of games. Then we went to Boston, and I gave up four runs in two innings. But I didn't think anything of it. The next day, we're getting wiped out in Texas, and I go in to throw the last inning. I get one batter out and give up eight runs. Two days later, against Cleveland, I get the first two batters, then give up three hits and another run.
I went to my manager and said, "I need three or four days off." During that time, I threw in the bull pen every day. I pretended that it was a game. I looked at videos of the games to see what I had been doing wrong. From that point until the end of the season, I pitched 57 innings and gave up five runs.
When I leave the park after a bad game, I get it out of my system real fast. By the time I get home, if my wife hasn't seen the game, she can't tell whether I won or lost. I've always been the type of player who will stay on an even keel. It's hard. I can't stand losing. But that's part of the game. And it's a long season. If you carry bad thoughts around with you after the games, you'll be a wreck by the end of the year.
A relief pitcher for the San Diego Padres, Jesse Orosco has pitched in more games (1,200 and counting) and made more relief appearances (1,196 and counting) than any other pitcher in Major League history. In 24 seasons, he has played for two world-championship teams as well as his share of last-place teams. The oldest player in the majors, he hasn't decided whether this season will be his last.
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