Colorado Rockies fans have long enjoyed the “Fan Mail” feature in The Denver Post, offering a unique opportunity to get their burning questions answered by their favorite sports personalities. In this edition, we delve into the insightful world of Huston Street, then-closer for the Rockies, as he candidly discusses the pressures of his high-stakes role, his deep connection to his hometown of Austin, Texas, and his optimistic outlook on the 2011 Rockies season.
From Starter Aspirations to Relief Ace: Huston Street’s Path to the Closer Role
While many young pitchers dream of starting games, Huston Street’s journey took an unexpected turn towards the bullpen, ultimately solidifying his place as a premier closer in Major League Baseball. Reflecting on his early baseball aspirations, Street reveals a lifelong love for the game, initially envisioning himself as a starting pitcher. However, his college experience at the University of Texas proved pivotal in shaping his career trajectory.
Playing for a dominant Texas Longhorns team, opportunities to start were limited. Becoming a closer emerged as the most viable path to playing time. Street embraced the role, showcasing his talent and quickly adapting to the unique demands of late-inning relief. Even when approached by legendary coach Augie Garrido about his preferred role, Street, while open to team needs, expressed his hope to remain a closer, recognizing the daily opportunity it provided to contribute.
This unexpected transition proved to be a turning point. Street’s collegiate success as a closer paved the way for his professional career. Interestingly, he admits that big-league aspirations didn’t truly solidify until after his freshman year of college. Playing alongside future MLB stars like Justin Verlander, Dustin Pedroia, and Rickie Weeks in USA Baseball, Street realized he possessed the talent to compete at the highest level, fueling his dream of reaching the major leagues.
Handling the Heat: Inside the Pressure-Cooker of a Major League Closer
The closer role is often described as one of the most pressure-packed positions in sports. Huston Street offers a fascinating perspective on how he manages the inherent stress of consistently pitching in high-leverage situations. When asked about nerve-wracking saves, Street surprisingly downplays the notion of pressure affecting him in a negative way. Instead of succumbing to nerves, he emphasizes a focused mindset centered on executing each pitch with precision.
His approach is rooted in breaking down the save situation into a series of individual pitches. Whether it’s aiming for a fastball down and away or relying on his changeup to induce a swing and miss, Street’s concentration remains laser-focused on the immediate task at hand. He approaches each save opportunity with an expectation of success, viewing anything less as a disappointment, but not a source of debilitating pressure.
While he acknowledges replaying blown saves more frequently than successful ones, Street clarifies that this isn’t due to a crisis of confidence. His belief in his abilities remains unwavering. Instead, he utilizes positive self-talk and visualization techniques to reinforce his mental fortitude. He mentally rehearses scenarios – picturing a perfectly executed changeup leading to a groundout or a slider breaking sharply to secure a strikeout. This proactive mental preparation strengthens his confidence and allows him to enter each save situation with a positive and focused mindset.
2011 Rockies: Poised for Greater Heights?
Coming off the heels of the 2009 Rockies team that made a playoff run, there was considerable anticipation surrounding the 2011 squad. Street offered his insights into the team’s potential and how they measured up against their successful predecessors. He acknowledged the “proof is in the pudding,” emphasizing that on-field performance would ultimately determine their success. However, he expressed confidence that if the team executed to their capabilities, they could surpass the achievements of the 2009 team.
He noted the increased expectations surrounding the 2011 Rockies, a natural consequence of past success. Understanding fan eagerness for immediate dominance, Street highlighted the team’s internal focus and composure. Drawing on the collective experience within the clubhouse, he emphasized a stronger understanding of themselves and their ability to navigate the marathon of a long MLB season compared to 2009. This internal belief and seasoned perspective fueled their confidence that their best baseball was still ahead of them.
Austin vs. Boulder vs. Denver: Huston Street’s Hometown Connection
Huston Street’s deep roots in Austin, Texas, are a recurring theme, highlighting the city’s significance in his life. When asked about comparisons between Austin and Boulder, a common point of reference, Street expands the comparison to include Denver as well. He sees Austin as embodying elements of both Boulder and Denver, creating a unique blend.
His affection for Austin is palpable, describing it as “one of the most unique places on earth,” emphasizing its authenticity and genuine character. He cherishes Austin’s slogan, “Keep Austin Weird,” but interprets it through the lens of authenticity and coziness rather than mere eccentricity. He celebrates the city’s natural beauty, citing its lakes and green spaces, alongside its vibrant arts scene and renowned music festivals. Street believes Austin fosters and encourages these diverse aspects, contributing to its growth and appeal.
The strong connection to Austin is evident in his personal life as well. While initially hesitant to live elsewhere, Street and his wife, Lacey, quickly felt at home in Denver, even purchasing a house there after just a year. This bi-city lifestyle reflects their deep appreciation for both Denver and Austin, but Austin remains his foundational home. For those visiting Austin, particularly the daughter of a fan seeking recommendations, Street enthusiastically suggests experiencing the city’s lake culture, recommending Lake Austin or Lake Travis for their peaceful ambiance. His personal investment in Austin is further underscored by his dream of owning a lake house there, a dream realized despite career uncertainties, solidifying his bond with the city.
The Mechanics of Huston Street: Delivery and Strikeouts
Huston Street’s pitching delivery is often described as distinctive, marked by a head dip during his motion. Addressing the origin of this unusual technique, Street reflects on the organic evolution of pitching mechanics. He likens it to the development of batting stances, suggesting that it arises from a gradual process of finding comfort and optimizing performance on the mound. He views it as a personal adaptation, a “basic mold” that pitchers continually refine to maximize their effectiveness.
He pinpoints his sophomore year of college as a turning point in solidifying his pitching identity. Prior to this, his arm angle and mechanics were significantly different. The change, while transformative, required a year of adjustment to fully internalize and master the new mechanics, highlighting the dedication and fine-tuning involved in honing a successful pitching style.
When it comes to securing crucial strikeouts, particularly in save situations, Street emphasizes the strategic context. He differentiates his approach based on game situations, such as pitching with runners on base and needing a strikeout or double play. In these high-pressure moments, a strikeout becomes a more pronounced objective. He stresses the importance of getting ahead in the count, executing pitches to reach a 0-2 count, which then allows him to exploit the hitter’s vulnerability. With two strikes, he can become more aggressive and strategic,誘う batters to chase pitches out of the zone, utilizing his changeup and slider to his advantage.
Music as Motivation: Entry Songs and Guitar Solos
Music plays a significant role in Huston Street’s game-day routine and personal life. Known as the “music man” in the Rockies clubhouse, his choice of entry song, “Hate Me Now,” reveals insights into his on-field persona. He acknowledges hearing the song as he enters from the bullpen, appreciating its energy and rhythm. Interestingly, he opts for the instrumental version, finding the lyrical content less appealing. For Street, the song serves as a crucial element of his routine, mentally preparing him for the high-pressure situations he faces.
Beyond his entry music, Street is a passionate musician himself, particularly skilled at guitar. His favorite song to play on guitar is John Mayer’s “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” (live in LA version), admiring Mayer’s melodic approach and guitar solo. On piano, his favorite piece is “Carol of the Bells” (George Winston’s live version), expressing admiration for Winston’s piano skills. These musical preferences offer a glimpse into Street’s artistic sensibilities and the role music plays in his life beyond the baseball diamond.
Legacy of a Winner: Inspired by Family and Driven for More
Huston Street’s athletic pedigree is undeniable, being the son of legendary Texas Longhorns quarterback James Street. The influence of his father, known for his coolness under pressure and winning mentality, is evident in Huston’s own approach to the closer role. Drawing inspiration from his father’s legacy, Street has forged his own path to success, marked by composure and a drive to win.
Looking back at his career highlights, Street fondly recalls pitching in the College World Series as “absolutely incredible,” even ranking those moments as his favorite baseball experiences to date, second only to potentially pitching in the World Series. He emphasizes the unique camaraderie and passion within college sports, particularly the 2002 Texas Longhorns team that won the championship, where he was named MVP. While acknowledging the different dynamics of professional sports, his ultimate professional goal remains winning a World Series, a key motivator in his decision to join the Rockies. This aspiration underscores his unwavering competitive spirit and his desire to achieve the highest level of team success in his MLB career.
Huston Street’s insights provide a captivating glimpse into the mindset of a Major League closer. From his unconventional path to the bullpen to his strategic approach to pressure and his deep connection to music and his hometown, Street’s perspectives offer a richer understanding of the man behind the Rockies’ saves. His focus, confidence, and drive to succeed exemplify the qualities of an elite closer, and his reflections provide valuable insights for fans seeking to understand the nuances of this demanding role.
