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Blue Jays' new pitching coach Brad Arnsberg is a guy who may be new to the average Jays fan, but for most of the men he will be working with and for, Arnsberg is a much known commodity. The team's sixth pitching coach in the past 10 years, Arnsberg has a solid base of knowledge on most of the Jays pitchers having spent last year with the organization's triple-A club in Syracuse as pitching coach.
Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi brought Arnsberg into the organization prior to last season on the recommendations of Tony LaCava and Dick Scott, his director of player personnel and player development respectively.
"I have always liked what I heard about Arnie and seeing him last year he has a take-charge attitude which is real important," Ricciardi said.
Arnsberg, although he clearly doesn't agree with the characterization, comes with a reputation as a bit of a hard-nosed coach -- a no-nonsense type who expects as much of himself as he does of his players. If the latter don't measure up, they hear about it.
It's the type of pitching coach Ricciardi wanted.
"I think it's tough love," Ricciardi said. "I don't think there's anything wrong with that. In our situation where we don't have a veteran-type staff like the Red Sox of last year, I think it's important that we challenge our guys enough so they don't cower when they get to the big leagues. You look at the (Vinnie) Chulks and the (Justin) Millers, they need a little push sometimes as far as believing in themselves so it's important we have a guy like that pushing these guys."
Arnsberg says that stern reputation is news to him.
"I'm the most fun-loving free-spirited guy, and not to put a feather in my cap but close to 100% of the guys I've been with have enjoyed working with me," he said. "I build a bond with them on and off the field. I don't think any would classify me as a hard ass. I honestly love my job darn near as much as my family. I love coming to the field and I'm always one of the first there and one of the last to leave."
Josh Towers, who is pencilled in as the No. 5 starter with the Jays this year, spent a little more than a month in Syracuse last year and came away impressed with Arnsberg.
"A lot of pitching coaches try to change guys," Towers said. "They want everyone to throw like Roy Halladay. Arnsberg understands we can't all be like that. He worked with me last year and he helped me a lot."
Arnsberg says he wears his emotions on his sleeve during games and that may have contributed to his reputation.
"I'm an emotional guy and some people take that the wrong way," he said. "If Russ Adams doesn't drive that big run in, I'll react but I just want him to do well. I do that even more with the pitchers."