A very wise person once said that the whole is greater than the sum of all parts.
This phrase applies to the Cleveland Guardians quite perfectly, specifically talking about their bullpen.
The unit was magnificent in 2024, pacing the league with a brilliant 2.57 ERA.
According to what rookie star Cade Smith told MLB Network Radio, the key to the unit’s success was unselfishness.
There were no egos in the group, not even among the four top guys: Emmanuel Clase, Hunter Gaddis, Tim Herrin, and Smith.
“It didn’t become anything where pride got in the way.” Cade Smith breaks down what it’s like pitching in the #Guardians bullpen with guys like Emmanuel Clase, Hunter Gaddis and Tim Herrin,” MLB Network Radio posted on X.
"It didn't become anything where pride got in the way."
Cade Smith breaks down what it's like pitching in the #Guardians bullpen with guys like Emmanuel Clase, Hunter Gaddis and Tim Herrin. @CleGuardians | #ForTheLand
🔗https://t.co/fGPbvbj8w4 pic.twitter.com/CmYPRT5stH— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) February 9, 2025
He kept saying that everybody was ready to enter the game at any moment.
Staying ready anytime, anywhere is definitely harder than it sounds.
However, understanding one’s role in the team definitely helps.
In Cleveland, everybody understood his assignment, and in Smith’s case, he was one of the top setup men for Clase.
He was masterful in his first MLB campaign, with a 1.91 ERA in 75.1 frames.
Boasting one of the best fastballs in the game, Smith rode it to a whopping 103 strikeouts in his debut season.
He became an extremely valuable reliever in a bullpen full of them.
Some MLB teams have so much talent in a specific area that egos begin to make an appearance.
Thanks in large part to manager Stephen Vogt and the healthy work environment he promoted, there is no place for egos in the Guardians clubhouse.
Everybody is familiar with what they have to do, and everyone works toward the same goal: winning ballgames.
That atmosphere has allowed pitchers like Smith to flourish.
He is now in the upper echelon of MLB relievers.
NEXT: Guardians Release 2025 Promotional Schedule
