It may be all about football on radio row during Super Bowl week, but current White Sox pitcher Joe Kelly lives in Scottsdale, Arizona where the game is and he has a book coming out.
Kelly, joined Andrew Fillipponi on Wednesday to talk about the book “A Damn Near Perfect Game” written by him and Rob Bradford.
During the conversation Kelly confirmed someone many Pirates fans have thought for a long time, Johnny Cueto was nervous during the famous 2013 Wild Card game in Pittsburgh
Cueto, who pitched with Kelly in Chicago last season, was pitching for the Cincinnati Reds when he dropped the ball.
“I asked him, he was nervous,” said Kelly. “He says it was loud and he couldn’t concentrate and the ball fell out and it made it worse.”
On the next pitch, catcher Russell Martin hit a home run.
Kelly went on to say Pittsburgh is the loudest crowd he’s ever been a part of and said his game against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park was the first since the “Cueto, Cueto” game.
“I walk out of the dugout, fans are already there, instantly, one step, ‘Kelly, Kelly’ and I’m like what in the world,” said Kelly. “So I put my head down, pretending I don’t hear it, louder, louder, louder. Until I got off the mound warming up for the game it was the Johhny Cueto chant for me and I didn’t think I threw a strike in the bullpen, not one.”
Kelly said that made him angry and it did rattle him as well. He gave up five hits and three runs in the no decision game for him. The Pirates won that game 5-3, but lost the series.
Kelly added he was so nervous, he kept telling himself not to drop the ball.
Kelly also said the PNC Park is his favorite park in the league.