Mike Maddux happy with Yu Darvish's year

October, 7, 2012
10/07/12
12:00
PM CT
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux faced the media on Saturday in a relatively empty clubhouse at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington and admitted that he wished he was there to work and prepare for the New York Yankees in the ALDS. Instead, he answered questions about the 2012 season and what the club plans to do in the offseason. We'll get to some of that in some future blogs.

But Maddux was also asked about Yu Darvish, the 26-year-old Japanese rookie who ended the season with a terrific final seven weeks and solidfied himself as the club's top pitcher going into 2013.

"I thought Yu had a very interesting and a very good campaign," Maddux said. "He went into spring training and it was a lot of hype and it was like Elvis was in the building, the Beatles were coming into town. There was a lot of unknown about it and a lot of hype. As the season progressed and the more Yu acclimated himself or became acclimated with major league baseball and being in a different country and all the things that go along with it, I thought he really, really matured and showed what everybody saw in him when they scouted him the past couple years in Japan.

"I thought that he really made everybody look good, including himself. The superstardom that was in spring training, that fizzled out, and once it fizzled out and he became one of the guys. I think that’s when he really took off."

Darvish impressed veteran closer Joe Nathan, as well.

"I think obviously his stuff is unbelievable and to come over and make that adjustment -- not just on the field but off the field -- he’s been pretty impressive," Nathan said. "To stay healthy and continue to go out there where he only had a couple of days where he was dinged up. It was a great year for him. I know there are some things he can learn from this year. When he’s in the strike zone, he’s pretty tough to beat. The only time he really goes out and beats himself is when he’s walking guys."
Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He writes about colleges, the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.

SPONSORED HEADLINES

ESPN Conversations


You must be signed in to post a comment

Already have an account?

103.3 FM ESPN PODCASTS

Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Jim Bowden

Jim Bowden joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss Ron Washington's decision to send Yu Darvish to the mound for the eighth inning Thursday night and how he would handle a situation like that if he were still a GM.

Galloway & Company: Rangers talk

Randy Galloway, Matt Mosley and Glenn "Stretch" Smith discuss the latest Rangers news, including the Yu Darvish-Justin Verlander matchup.

Galloway & Company: Nelson Cruz

Nelson Cruz joins Galloway & Company to discuss the Rangers' series in Oakland, his ups and downs at the plate and if the PED talks before the season were a distraction.

Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Ron Washington

Rangers manager Ron Washington joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett live from Oakland for his weekly visit.

Galloway & Company: Nolan Ryan

Nolan Ryan joins Galloway & Company to discuss his role with the Rangers. Ryan says that he has not been in contact with the Astros about a possible opening and he doesn't think that he would be interested anyway.

Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Jim Bowden

Jim Bowden joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett for his weekly visit and wastes no time sounding off on MLB umpire Angel Hernandez.

Galloway & Company: Mitch Moreland

Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland joins GAC from Milwaukee to discuss what it was like facing former teammate Scott Feldman, Texas' upcoming series and more.

Fitzsimmons & Durrett: Ron Washington

Ron Washington joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett live from Milwaukee for his weekly visit and discusses Nick Tepesch, the Rangers' rotation, interleague play and more.

TEAM LEADERS

WINS LEADER
Yu Darvish
WINS ERA SO IP
7 2.97 86 60
OTHER LEADERS
BAI. Kinsler .302
HRN. Cruz 11
RBIN. Cruz 33
RA. Beltre 26
OPSM. Moreland .901
ERAD. Holland 2.93
SOY. Darvish 86

DALLAS CALENDAR