Newcomer Brad Penny envisions himself being a perfect fit in the St. Louis Cardinals' rotation. Contrary to how he's viewed by many, the 31-year-old Penny said he isn't a power pitcher, that he prefers working to contact. It's a long-embraced philosophy of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan.
Brad Penny wrote: "I've never really been a strikeout pitcher," the 6-foot-4, 230-pound right-hander said Saturday at the Cardinals' 14th annual Winter Warm-Up at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch. "I was in the minor leagues, but as far as pitching in the big leagues, I've never been a real strikeout guy.
"I try to pitch to contact. That's how you get deep into games."
Brad Penny wrote:
"You saw those guys can pitch last year," Penny said, referring to Carpenter and Wainwright. "I'm excited to come be a part of it. Everybody I've talked to has told me how (much) they're dedicated, and we've got a great catcher behind the plate (Yadier Molina). That's going to make it fun for me."
It didn't hurt that Penny grew up a Cardinals fan in Blackwell, Okla.
"I've always wanted to play here. It was my favorite team growing up," Penny said. "My dad was always a Dodgers fan, but I was a Cardinals fan. I'm excited. My family's excited because (St. Louis) is so close."
Brad Penny wrote:
Penny said Cardinals manager Tony La Russa was a big factor in his decision to come to St. Louis.
"When we've played against them, I've always made it a point to come say hello because I knew this was definitely a place I wanted to play," Penny said. "I've talked to him more than probably any other manager I've played against. He's a great manager, a competitor."
