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Rays/MLB

Buzz is building over an electric arm

By JOHN ROMANO
Published May 17, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - Eight shirtless guys, and one pitching prodigy. As phenomenons go, it isn't much to see.

But fame can be fussy, and history has to start somewhere.

So on this evening, you can look for it on the mound at Tropicana Field. That is where Scott Kazmir has come to deliver his latest drop of brilliance.

The best trade the Devil Rays have ever made has turned into the best pitcher the Rays have ever seen. And, who knows, maybe someday we'll be watching the best left-hander in the game.

Kazmir beat the White Sox on Tuesday night, tying him for the major-league lead with his sixth victory. At 22, he is the youngest American League pitcher to win six games this early in a season in 35 years.

And in Section 134 of the rightfield bleachers, a group of beer-drinking, chest-painting, good time-loving fans couldn't be happier.

"He's around the same age as all of us, and he's out there dominating major-league hitters," said Steven Zanetos, one of the ringleaders in Section 134. "He's the best we've got, and he's only going to get better."

Think Vida Blue in 1971.

It does not yet qualify as a phenomenon. And it is still a far cry from hysteria. But Kazmir on the mound has become a happening in Tampa Bay.

Zanetos and his friends decided in the spring to get in on the ground floor on this rising stock. They showed up for Kazmir's first home start on April 14 with their chests painted K-A-Z-M-I-R and 2-6 for his uniform number. When he goes to the mound each inning, they shout out their respective letters.

(And if you've ever watched Jack Black and Steve Zahn in Saving Silverman, you'll recognize the comical, and nonsensical, shout whenever Kazmir gets a strikeout.)

So hurry up, because the word is beginning to spread. Even on Tuesday night, even with another crowd of less than 12,000, the buzz at Tropicana Field was noticeable. By the time Kazmir got out of the seventh, fans were ready to greet him with an ovation.

It's not as if we've been devoid of exciting players around here. The Rays have had a handful of aging stars. We've seen Wade Boggs get his 3,000th hit, and we had Jose Canseco for his last great half.

And the Rays have developed some promising young hitters. Rocco Baldelli was followed by Carl Crawford who was followed by Jorge Cantu.

But the Rays have never had a pitcher like Kazmir. A pitcher with an electric arm and a cool demeanor. A pitcher capable of being a legitimate No. 1 starter for a lot of teams.

"Young guys put so much pressure on themselves, and he doesn't," catcher Toby Hall said. "He knows how good he is, but he doesn't need to show it. That's what you see in those No. 1 pitchers, those horses.

"They tell you they're good by their actions and not their words. That's what he's got."

Think Fernando Valenzuela in 1983.

Kazmir is putting up those type of numbers. In his past eight starts, he is 6-1 with a 1.90 ERA. He is among the league leaders in strikeouts, and he has won more games than the rest of the Rays rotation combined.

He is a left-hander who throws in the 90s with great movement on his fastball. His slider is nasty, and he is using his changeup more frequently.

That would be enough to make him a quality major-league pitcher. What sets him apart is the presence on the mound. Even at 22, Kazmir has no fear.

He has faced Curt Schilling after being called out. He has faced Roy Halladay in Toronto. He has faced Tim Wakefield and Jamie Moyer. Among them, they have a World Series MVP award, a Cy Young Award and more than 600 victories in the majors. And Kazmir has beaten them all this season.

There is a swagger to Kazmir that is unmistakeable. Around the time he was traded to the Rays in 2004, there was talk in New York that he was too big for his britches. That he wasn't respectful enough. That he was a little too enamored of the night life.

Those whispers now sound like silly justification for a horrible trade. New York's Victor Zambrano is out for the season with elbow surgery, and his career is in jeopardy. Kazmir is one of the game's hottest pitchers, and his career has only just begun.

"He has the ability to be one of the unique pitchers in the game," pitching coach Mike Butcher said. "He's got that charisma. He's got all the things you look for in a superstar type."

Want to know why the Rays have not had a serious losing streak? Because Kazmir won't let them. Tuesday night was the eighth consecutive time he has taken the mound with the Rays coming off a loss. The Rays have won seven of those starts.

"It's not just the talent, it's the work ethic and the demeanor," Rays vice president Andrew Friedman said. "I wouldn't ever bet against him."

Think Dontrelle Willis in 2004.

Think something special.

[Last modified May 17, 2006, 01:29:12]