'Wick's' slider, humor are back

Relief pitcher Bob Wickman said he's enjoying spring training.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) -- Bob Wickman's sense of humor and his slider both have their bite back.
One is the result of the other and both are important to whatever success the Cleveland Indians may achieve this year.
"I could not be happier," said Wickman Saturday as he toweled off the sweat from a mid-morning drill.
"That was fun," he said. "I know it doesn't sound like fun, doing drills over and over again. But when you have been gone for as long as I have, it's fun. I'm enjoying this training camp because for two years I couldn't."
Now, he's not only back to being involved in the games but also the clubhouse hijinks, poking fun at teammates and himself.
"They let the old guy come back and he's going to enjoy it," the 36-year-old right-hander said. "Being one of the guys again is probably the best feeling of all."
Difficult season
Wickman reported to camp in 2004 eager to participate. He had missed the entire 2003 season after having reconstructive surgery on his right elbow -- but sprained the repaired ligament in a one-inning outing last March 15 and spent three more months back in rehabilitation.
"I was pretty miserable," Wickman said. "I felt I let the team down."
Adding to his anguish was the bullpen's poor performance that turned numerous Indians leads into losses.
"That was hard for me to watch," he said.
He returned to pitch for the Indians on July 6 and after three weeks in a setup role assumed the closer's role and converted 13 of 14 save opportunities.
"They moved me to closer because I stunk as a setup guy," he joked.
The Cleveland bullpen, which was just 13-for-32 in save opportunities before his return, saved 19 of 28 chances with Wickman back.
"I think a lot of that is the guys were getting into a groove before I came back," Wickman said. "It wasn't me, it was the entire bullpen that got it done."
Considered retiring
Manager Eric Wedge anticipates Wickman anchoring an improved relief corps this season. Left-handers Arthur Rhodes and Scott Sauerbeck have been added to a list of right-handed setup men that includes Bob Howry, David Riske, Rafael Betancourt and Matt Miller.
"Last year was all about Bob coming back healthy and throwing in back-to-back games," said Wedge. "This year, he is using all his pitches. I'm glad he's back."
Wickman had hinted at retiring after last season, but signed a new one-year contract in November.
"Some teams showed interest in me. When that happened, I said maybe I still do have something and someone out there still thinks I can do it," he said.
"I wanted it to be Cleveland because I feel like I owe whatever I have left to them."
Wickman says he feels good, but won't be able to tell how effective his pitches are until pitching in several games.
"All my pitches look the same to me," he said. "As far as actual stuff, I guess we won't know until we get into the season. I don't think I've lost anything and I'm too old to add something new. So it is just a matter of making the most out of what I have."