After poor 2004, Moyer ready to unfurl good season

TUCSON, Ariz. — The magic left Jamie Moyer's left arm last season. Disappeared as suddenly as a soap bubble.

His two-seam fastballs became fatballs that drifted over the heart of the plate. His changeup became no more mysterious than the tricks of a bad lounge magician.

Moyer turned 41 last season and pitched as if time finally had caught up with him. It happened that fast — from 21 wins to 7. From a 3.27 earned-run average to 5.21. From the ace of the staff to an every-fifth-day question mark. His pitching repertoire consisted of slow, slower and long ball.

Moyer pitched as if his 18-year major-league career were done. He allowed a major-league-high 44 home runs, 25 more than the season before. He pitched as if there were nothing left.

"It was embarrassing," Moyer said after a solid 88-pitch outing yesterday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. "Personally and as a team. It stunk. But you have to kind of step back and give yourself kind of a self check and ask yourself, 'What am I doing here?' "

Know these things about Jamie Moyer: For most of his career, he has been told what he can't do and he has been written off more times than a claimer at Emerald Downs.

Moyer doesn't waste much energy worrying about what others think. He doesn't dwell on the past.

"Win, lose or draw, last year's behind you," Moyer said. "Last year's over as far as I'm concerned. I don't really think about last year."

He doesn't marinate in his mistake pitches. And most important, he doesn't think he's finished. He remembers another time in his career, in 1992, when many — including his father-in-law, Digger Phelps, an ESPN basketball analyst and former Notre Dame coach — suggested he retire.

Moyer has won 158 big-league games since by sticking to some simple philosophy.

ALAN BERNER / THE TIMES Jamie Moyer says, "Sometimes it's good to go through some rough times."

Jamie Moyer has been as resilient as rubber. And this spring, at 42, he's back and pitching a lot like, well, Jamie Moyer.

"I'm seeing the same Jamie Moyer," new Mariners manager Mike Hargrove said. "He's changing speeds. Staying away from the middle of the plate. Keeping the ball down. And not giving in to the hitters. I don't have last season's negative experience to compare it to, but I'm very encouraged with the way Jamie is going about his work."

Against Arizona, he was vintage Moyer. His changeup was as mystifying as a dream. His two-seam fastball danced like a snake. In six innings, he allowed two runs and six hits and struck out five.

The runs came on solo home runs. Jose Cruz Jr. hit a soft, wind-blown fly to the opposite field. "A pop-up," Moyer said.

But Troy Glaus hit a deep shot into the Diamondbacks' bullpen. "I didn't have to look at the second one," Moyer joked.

In his last 11 innings, Moyer has allowed seven hits and three runs while striking out 10. He has earned a spot in the starting rotation.

"I'm not quite ready for the start of the season," he said. "Inching closer, but not quite there. But you know what the biggest thing is? I've been given an opportunity. I've got a uniform. I've got a glove. I've got my cleats. And I've got myself and my competitiveness. I'm not trying to stand on a pedestal when I say this. But to me, that's what makes you work.

"And sometimes it's good to go through some rough times. Because it makes you step back and think a little bit. But I'm not of the belief that you have to dwell on it. It's over."

During a bullpen session in Peoria, Mariners pitching coach Bryan Price told Moyer, "You've got to stay in character." Moyer has taken that advice to the mound with him this month.

"If you really think about it," Moyer said, "if you try to be somebody you're not, it's really hard to be successful. I know I can be effective. And I know I can't change my game to Joel Pineiro's game or John Halama's game or Jimmy Key's game. I can't do that.

"You have to believe in your own ability and do what you know that you're capable of doing, and focus on that. Things aren't easy, but they can be a lot easier. It's coming in the right frame of mind, and that's thinking of the now, not thinking of the past. Not trying to carry excess baggage with me, I guess, is the easiest way to say it."

Last year is history. Jamie Moyer is not.

In the spring of 2005, the magic has returned.

Steve Kelley: 206-464-2176 or skelley@seattletimes.com