ST. LOUIS —
Craig Stammen is always ready to get ready.
A man doesn’t do what Stammen does with what Stammen has unless he is in a nearly constant state of preparation, mentally and physically.
The studying is nonstop, the getting loose takes place over the course of hours.
So when the call comes and Stammen is summoned to enter a game, it doesn’t take much time.
With his bare hand, he catches the ball tossed to him by Padres bullpen coach Doug Bochtler, takes his place on the mound and starts throwing.
Eight, maybe 10 pitches later, Stammen takes a deep breath and is ready to take on the next biggest moment.