By Tim Morris
Brad Brach is having the finest season of his Major League Baseball career. But now is not the time to dwell on it.
The former Freehold Township High School and Monmouth University great made his first all-star team this season and is one of the reasons the Baltimore Orioles are in the hunt for the American League East Division title and the postseason. He’s 7-1 and pitching to a 1.34 ERA in 52 appearances. He also has a pair of saves as the team’s late-inning reliever.
For now, the former Patriot is not in a reflecting mood. He’s taking everything in stride. He would like to make the season even more memorable by capping it off with a World Series championship.
“There’s a lot of baseball left in the season. I’m enjoying it as it goes,” Brach said.
Still, Brach was thrilled to be named to the American League All-Star squad.
“It’s tough to make,” he said. “I was honored to be part of the team.”
Brach’s mother and father, Mary and Michael, brothers and friends from college were all at the game.
“I’m fortunate to have them in my corner,” he said.
His appearances on the American League squad was further affirmation of how important late-inning relief pitching has become in baseball. His outstanding season in that role for the Orioles was not overlooked.
In a bit of irony, the All-Star Game was played in the San Diego Padres’ Petco Park, which has special meaning to Brach. He began his career with the Padres before being traded to the Orioles in 2014.
“It was incredible,” he said. “I kept thinking back to Opening Day with the Padres. It brought back memories. I had come full circle.”
Brach credited experience for helping him become one of baseball’s best late-inning relievers.
“I’m getting comfortable,” he said.
He is also more confident in his ability to get major league hitters out. No situation is too big for the right-hander.
Like an experienced veteran, Brach consults with his catchers and pitching coaches before games and studies the staff reports on opposing teams. He draws on his experience of having faced batters before and how he got them out.
Brach relies on his pinpoint control — the ability to hit his spots with his fastball, split-finger fastball and slider.
The goal of all of it, he pointed out, is to be one step ahead of the hitters.
Brach’s value to the Orioles is his versatility. He can be used for more than one inning. He can enter a game in mid-inning with runners on base, and he can pitch often.
Brach will make two trips close to home when the Orioles visit the Bronx to play the New York Yankees Aug. 26-28 and Sept. 30-Oct. 2.
It’s already been a great season for Brach to sit back on and appreciate. But he hopes that there will be a lot more baseball to play beyond Oct. 2 and more memories to appreciate.
