St. Louis Post-Dispatch
March 31, 2003

Morris Works on His Pitches and Attitude

By Joe Strauss

When Matt Morris takes the mound as today's opening day starter against the Milwaukee Brewers, he does so with an additional pitch and, he hopes, more self-control than in previous seasons.

"I think this spring was different for me because I worked on different things. I put my pride aside some games and worked on pitches. And I was comfortable throwing them," Morris said.

Last year's 17-game winner committed himself to better mastering a change-up to go with his curveball and fastball. Morris became comfortable with a consistent grip, though toying with the new pitch contributed to his allowing 37 hits in 27 1/3 innings this spring. Morris was undone in his last exhibition start following three dominant innings against the New York Mets. A series of defensive lapses contributed to seven runs, four earned, against him in 6 1/3 innings.

Morris has long tried to moderate his on-field emotions. Like the change-up, it's a work in progress.

"I think I recognize it earlier each time. But being caught in the moment, sometimes the moment does bother you unless you can stop the situation, the at-bat or the pitch," Morris said.

"I think (catcher Mike) Matheny has worked with me enough to know when I'm in that situation, when my hat is getting a little tighter, to let me know it's about making the pitch ... not how much adrenaline or percentage you're going to put behind it. It's a tough thing. It's a good quality but, then again, it hurts you."

What Morris hopes remains the same is his degree of success against the Brewers. Morris owns an 8-2 record and 1.96 ERA in 11 lifetime starts against the Brewers. He was 2-1 with a 1.89 ERA against them last season, winning a pair of September decisions after losing 2-0 to Glendon Rusch on June 25.