27157822
When the world champion Phillies came down South Broad Street on a pleasant Halloween afternoon, Mike Koplove was among the two-million-plus fans enjoying the festivities. After all, this was his hometown team.
What could be better?
Well, the free-agent right-handed pitcher could try to earn a spot in the Phillies bullpen. The possibility is going from dream to reality as Koplove, who has pitched in the Majors with Arizona and Cleveland, has agreed to terms with Philadelphia. According to a story on the team’s Web site, the deal, which has not been signed, includes an invitation to Spring Training.
"The Phillies were one of the first teams I talked to," Koplove said during a recent phone interview. "It was the first time I talked to them in a couple of years. It kind of got my attention right off the bat.
"It is obviously something I’ve always wanted to do since I was a little kid. Obviously, their bullpen is pretty strong so it’s going to be a challenge for me."
With his season finished, the reliever had plenty of time to watch the Phillies eliminate the Brewers, Dodgers and Rays during their World Series run.
"I watched every game," he said. "I made it to the parade and it was pretty fun."
There are few jobs up for grabs on the Phils pitching staff as closer Brad Lidge, along with Ryan Madson, J.C. Romero, Scott Eyre, Chad Durbin and Clay Condrey, who all filled key relief roles during last season’s championship run, are back. That doesn’t include this week’s signing of Chan Ho Park, who could end up in the starting rotation or the bullpen.
Where does this leave Koplove?
"I’ll do anything they want me to do, but I imagine it would be in a sixth- or seventh-inning role," the 32-year-old said.
Even though he didn’t play in the Majors last season, 2008 has been quite a year for the Packer Park resident as he helped Team USA win the bronze at the Summer Olympics. He also pitched for the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas, going 2-1 with a 3.46 ERA. During the ’06 and ’07 seasons, he appeared in only seven Major League games combined for Arizona and Cleveland, respectively.
"I think I just have to go into camp and not try to prove too much right away," Koplove said. "The biggest thing is getting people out, throwing strikes and getting ground balls."
The pitcher was selected in the 29th round of the 1998 June free-agent draft.
His best stint in the Majors came in ’04 with the Diamondbacks when he appeared in 76 games and compiled a 4-4 record with a 4.62 ERA. Since making his Major League debut in ’01 with Arizona, Koplove has made 222 Major League relief appearances and compiled a 15-7 record with a 3.82 ERA. It even included pitching at Veterans Stadium.
Koplove is hoping to make it back to the show after spending the last couple of years floating around the minors. His recent Olympic stint against international competition served as a confidence-booster — he appeared in four games in the tournament and didn’t surrender a hit or earned run over 5.1 innings.
"It’s been a pretty good year," he said. "Getting the opportunity to go to the Olympics is something I never, ever dreamed of."
Following it up with the chance to earn a roster spot with his beloved Phils makes it even sweeter. Now, it’s just a matter of showing what he can do.
"I know I can pitch in the big leagues, it’s just a matter of getting the opportunity," Koplove said. "I threw really well [at the Olympics] and it showed me I can get people out on a higher level."
