Levine: Chris Bosio A Big Key To Jake Arrieta's Success

By Bruce Levine--

PITTSBURGH (CBS) -- The hard work and determination that has made Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta one of baseball's elite pithcers has been documented throughout his fabulous second-half run that's unmatched in baseball history. Meanwhile, the man behind the scenes has been been hidden away in coaches' rooms and bullpens around the league.

Cubs pitching coach Chris Bosio was a driving force behind Arrieta rising from the ashes of his career in Baltimore to now being heralded as a top-three pitcher in the game. After a 22-6 campaign in which he posted a 1.77 ERA, Arrieta will battle Zach Greinke and Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers for the CyYoung award in the National League.

Leading up to his start in the winner-take-all wild-card game between the Cubs and Pirates on Wednesday night at PNC Park, Arrieta compiled a post-All-Star break run that's never been seen in the game. He had a 0.75 ERA in the second half of the season, the lowest among qualified pitchers in baseball history, and his 0.41 ERA (four earned runs in 88 1/3 innings) since Aug. 1 has shocked the baseball world.

To Arrieta's credit, he has become much more than a pitcher who dominates on his mound day. Asked about the influence of Bosio, Arrieta first paused.

"He has been a source of positive energy and a good friend," Arrieta said of the relationship. "He has helped me get my concentration back and has been there really for all the pitchers and the entire team."

Bosio had some tough love for Arrieta when he first came to Chicago in July 2013.

"I suggested to Jake that he consider a few things," Bosio said. "I said beyond being a great pitcher, you should consider yourself a leader and carry yourself that way. I suggested that he needs to be that guy in the clubhouse and on the bench. I told him I saw these leaderships abilities in him."

The rest has been Arrieta doing his best to be that leader.

"Jake has taken it to the next level and has been that guy," Bosio said. "He has given credit to everyone and has blossomed into the top pitcher in the league. He deserves the credit."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.