The Comeback Kid: A Partly True Story - Page 2

Ric915 · 04-19-2007, 07:02 PM

Can't wait to see how his career progresses great idea with this one

Astros33Resurrected · 04-20-2007, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric915

Can't wait to see how his career progresses great idea with this one

Thanks. I hope to get some updates tomorrow. I have a test to study for tonight and have to write a memo report

CatKnight · 04-20-2007, 01:49 AM

Excellent! I'm enjoying this tale!

It'll be odd when Wes and David finally face each other though.

TheeeeeeeeeYankeesWin · 04-20-2007, 12:52 PM

This is really good. Sounds like you were a pitcher yourself.

Astros33Resurrected · 04-20-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheeeeeeeeeYankeesWin

This is really good. Sounds like you were a pitcher yourself.

Still am

Astros33Resurrected · 04-20-2007, 03:50 PM

David dropped his bags and looked around his hotel room. It was a nice cozy place. This would more than likely be his home for the rest of the year. Leaving his girlfriend and family behind in Texas was hard, but he had to do it. The Blue Jays expected him to start right away. After two days of working on signals and getting to know his catch, Richard Bowles, David was ready to go.

His first start came against the Visila Oaks. They were a pretty good team. 28-24 up to that point in June. They sported LF Jerome Monte who was the third overall pick in the most recent draft. David knew about him. He was a hard hitter from UCLA who consistently pulled the ball. Many scouts projected Jerome to be an all-star outfielder at the big league level.

As David suited up and took a look at himself in the mirror, it hit him. He was a pro-ballplayer. He was Dunedin Blue Jay.

David took the mound. It wasn't as hot as he had expected. There was a delightful breeze blowing. He felt good. Today was his day.

David struck out the first hitter he faced and would wind up going 5.2 innings while giving up no runs and 5 hits. He struck out 4 and walked none. It was a good start. He got the win as the Blue Jays scored 7 runs in the first 5 innings. David's favorite part of the game was that he held Jerome Monte, the superstud, to a line of 0-3 2K 1GDP. His first day as a Blue Jay was a success.

Wes also faired well. Due to injuries and a lack of pitching in the Mariners organization, Wes was sent to AAA Tacoma. He would throw 5 innings exactly striking out 8 and giving up 1 run on 3 hits.

Brandon had been pitching AA Frisco for the Rangers all year. After his most recent start he was 3-3 with a staggering 6.00 ERA. Last year, he had gone 7-4 with a 3.22 ERA in A then was called up to AA and went 2-0 with a 2.17ERA in 2 games. He had shown promise but was flaming out this season.

Astros33Resurrected · 04-20-2007, 07:12 PM

David got back to his room and jumped onto the bed. Today was an exciting day, and it had taken its toll on him. He called his dad on the phone to tell him how he did, but his dad already knew. He was keeping tabs on his son by checking online. After he got off the phone, David passed out. He was exhausted.

*RIIINNGGG RIIIINGGG *

The phone startled him. He looked at the clock and noticed it was just 3AM. Practice wasn't for another 5 hours, who could be calling him now? He picked up the phone. " Hello?" he said tiredly, "David?" the person on the other end asked.
"Yea. Thats me"
"We need you to get on a plane right away. We are sending someone to get you and take you to the airport"
"What? Where am I going?"
"Janssen is out for about a week, and we have no one ready. Your up kid. I hope you have your passport"

As David hung up the phone, he didn't know what to think. They really didn't explain much, but he figured it out. Robert Janssen was one of the Blue Jays top prospects who had been called up earlier this season. With him out, the Jays had no one in AAA or AA ready to take his spot. Sure they had guys with more upside than David, but they had no one ready and didn't want to rush any of their top guys.

Was it true? Would he really be in the same rotation as AJ Burnett and Roy Halladay? Was he really going to be a Toronto Blue Jay?

Astros33Resurrected · 04-20-2007, 07:23 PM

David was joining a Blue Jay team that was struggling. They stood at 18-40 and 13 games back in the AL East. They did sport Roy Halladay who was a former CY Young Award winner and AJ Burnett who was a pretty good pitcher. Their offense was terrible. They were in the middle of a rebuild and were planning on using David as a stop gap between some of the pitchers they dumped and the studs they had coming up.

David would take the mound for the first time against the Baltimore Orioles in Toronto.

Ric915 · 04-21-2007, 06:29 PM

Holy cow a quick call up

hayesb26 · 04-21-2007, 07:05 PM

is this callup your doing, or in-game?

Astros33Resurrected · 04-21-2007, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayesb26

is this callup your doing, or in-game?

In game. His ratings aren't great right now, but the Blue Jays are terrible. And I guess they didn't want any of their young phenoms to come up yet.

Astros33Resurrected · 04-21-2007, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric915

Holy cow a quick call up

It's a little quick, but it happens. Especially with guys who wait to come out after their senior year of college.

Astros33Resurrected · 04-26-2007, 01:47 AM

David studied the scouting report diligently. He wanted to be completely prepared for whatever he had to face.

He looked over the names of the O's hitters.

Morgan Ensberg.Josh Fields. Miguel Tejada. Aubrey Huff. Prince Fielder. And the most dangerous, 24 year old Drew Stubbs. Stubbs was the 1st overall pick back in 2006 and was quickly becoming an elite player.

The more David looked over the names, the more nervous he became. He would have to make his first start at home against one of the better line-ups in the league. He prepared to go warm-up. As he walked towards the bullpen, he was stopped by his manager, Joe Carter.

"Hey dave"-Joe Said
"Yes sir?"
"We are gonna hold off pitching you tonight and just use you in relief"
"ok?"
"Janssen isn't as bad as we thought, and we think he can handle going at least five. So be prepared to come in if he gets hurt again or struggles."
"Yes sir."

David was a little crushed. Janssen was healthy and soon MR Clay Bucholz would come off the DL. Would that leave any room for David?

Astros33Resurrected · 04-26-2007, 01:56 AM

The game started. Janssen would pitch well through the first five, giving up just one run. David began to stretch on his own, figuring he would get the call soon. Janssen gave up a hit to start the sixth. The he got a strikeout. Then gave up another hit. With runners on first and second, Joe went to the phone. He called the bullpen. The bullpen coach picked up and looked at his guys. "Rosario and......Rubino" ,"You guys get up" David still sat there. He hadn't got to pitch yet and it looked doubtful he would. The ninth came and still he sat. BJ Ryan went in and closed out the game. The Blue Jays won 4-3 and David didn't even get to warm up.

He made it back into the clubhouse and to his locker. He started to change and noticed a note in his locker. After he got dressed, he went to see Joe.

"Well....Bucholz is ready son."
"And?"
"We are sending you back down. I'm really sorry son, but we just don't have the room on the team now. You did your job, you were ready to fill in. We won't forget that."
"So I'm headed back to Dunedin?"
"No, I didn't say that. Syracuse needs another started who can relieve to."
"ok?"
" Can you handle starting some days and relieving others?"
"Yes sir. Whatever you need me to do."
"Ok. Good deal son, take care."

Astros33Resurrected · 04-26-2007, 02:09 AM

David would never see the majors again that season. He came close, but was passed over in favor of an older vet the club had just picked up in a trade. The Blue Jays would finish 63-99 and have the worst record in the league.

David finish with a minor league record of 9-3 with a 3.45ERA between AAA and A.

Wes would finish 13-6 with an ERA of 2.45 at AAA.

Brandon would struggle this season at AA going 4-11 with a 5.34 ERA.

Which would be the first to pitch in a major league game? Wes was the most talented at the time, but David had less in his way. Brandon carried the most upside. Who would it be...?

CatKnight · 04-26-2007, 02:29 AM

Brandon may have the most upside, but he had a bad year in AA. It looks like he needs another year of seasoning.

How did Seattle do? That'll answer your question I think. I'm thinking David could be up some time this year given Toronto's poor performance, but Wes is ready to go now if the Mariners need him.

Astros33Resurrected · 04-26-2007, 02:37 AM

Seattle finished 76-86. Not good.

Astros33Resurrected · 04-26-2007, 02:42 AM

The 2010 season is upon us. Brandon will be at AA.

Wes will be up and the #3 starter for Seattle.

David will be in the bigs(

) and the #4 starter.

Heres to looking forward to a beautiful 2010!!!

The off-season saw all three increase their ratings, and climb higher towards there overall talent.

Astros33Resurrected · 04-26-2007, 02:55 AM

The season began and Toronto dropped two of their first 3. With a team record of 1-2, David would take the hill in Toronto against the Indians.

The Indians sported last years MVP, Travis Hafner, Grady Seizemore and Victor Martinez. They had won the AL Central last year and made it to the LCS before being ousted. David would face off against Evan Meek, a 26 year old who went 5-4 last year with a 5.45 ERA in 12 games after coming back from a shoulder injury.

David took the mound. He glared in at Ramon Castro to get the signs. His heart was thumping almost out of his chest, he could barely breathe. He stepped off the rubber and wiped his forehead. He was sweating and haven't even thrown a single pitch.

He stepped back on the mound and began his wind up. The first pitch was an 94MPH fastball on the inside corner. Strike one.
"Where did that come from"-David asked himself.
Many of the Toronto coaches and players were thinking the same thing.
The second pitch was another fastball right on the black of the outside corner. Strike two.
The third and fourth pitches were change-ups that missed outside.
His fifth pitch of his career was one of the most beautiful pitches many had ever seen. It was a curveball that absolutely fooled everyone, even David himself. It started high and inside and ended up in the dirt on the outside. The hitter didn't have a chance. Strike three.

David's first day went well. He threw 7 innings giving up 6 hits and walking one while striking out 4. He gave up no runs and the Jays rolled to an easy 6-0 victory.

David had his name in the books. He was a major league pitcher. A major league pitcher with a win......

TheeeeeeeeeYankeesWin · 04-29-2007, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astros33Resurrected

David would never see the majors again that season. He came close, but was passed over in favor of an older vet the club had just picked up in a trade. The Blue Jays would finish 63-99 and have the worst record in the league.

David finish with a minor league record of 9-3 with a 3.45ERA between AAA and A.

Wes would finish 13-6 with an ERA of 2.45 at AAA.

Brandon would struggle this season at AA going 4-11 with a 5.34 ERA.

Which would be the first to pitch in a major league game? Wes was the most talented at the time, but David had less in his way. Brandon carried the most upside. Who would it be...?

I guess David has yet to be tempted by any steroid pedling trainers?

I would say Wes's first season in AAA pretty much indicates he already has competent major league stuff. Brandon looks like a hit or miss project still.

04-20-2007, 12:52 PM	#24
TheeeeeeeeeYankeesWin Minors (Single A) Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 72	This is really good. Sounds like you were a pitcher yourself. __________________ "The phrase 'off with the crack of the bat', while romantic, is really meaningless, since the outfielder should be in motion long before he hears the sound of the ball meeting the bat."- Joe D.

04-20-2007, 07:12 PM	#27
Astros33Resurrected Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lufkin, TX Posts: 2,213	David got back to his room and jumped onto the bed. Today was an exciting day, and it had taken its toll on him. He called his dad on the phone to tell him how he did, but his dad already knew. He was keeping tabs on his son by checking online. After he got off the phone, David passed out. He was exhausted. RIIINNGGG RIIIINGGG The phone startled him. He looked at the clock and noticed it was just 3AM. Practice wasn't for another 5 hours, who could be calling him now? He picked up the phone. " Hello?" he said tiredly, "David?" the person on the other end asked. "Yea. Thats me" "We need you to get on a plane right away. We are sending someone to get you and take you to the airport" "What? Where am I going?" "Janssen is out for about a week, and we have no one ready. Your up kid. I hope you have your passport" As David hung up the phone, he didn't know what to think. They really didn't explain much, but he figured it out. Robert Janssen was one of the Blue Jays top prospects who had been called up earlier this season. With him out, the Jays had no one in AAA or AA ready to take his spot. Sure they had guys with more upside than David, but they had no one ready and didn't want to rush any of their top guys. Was it true? Would he really be in the same rotation as AJ Burnett and Roy Halladay? Was he really going to be a Toronto Blue Jay? Last edited by Astros33Resurrected; 04-26-2007 at 01:41 AM.

04-19-2007, 07:02 PM	#21
Ric915 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lake Havasu City Arizona Posts: 1,262	Can't wait to see how his career progresses great idea with this one

04-20-2007, 01:49 AM	#23
CatKnight All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,199	Excellent! I'm enjoying this tale! It'll be odd when Wes and David finally face each other though.

04-20-2007, 03:50 PM	#26
Astros33Resurrected Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lufkin, TX Posts: 2,213	David dropped his bags and looked around his hotel room. It was a nice cozy place. This would more than likely be his home for the rest of the year. Leaving his girlfriend and family behind in Texas was hard, but he had to do it. The Blue Jays expected him to start right away. After two days of working on signals and getting to know his catch, Richard Bowles, David was ready to go. His first start came against the Visila Oaks. They were a pretty good team. 28-24 up to that point in June. They sported LF Jerome Monte who was the third overall pick in the most recent draft. David knew about him. He was a hard hitter from UCLA who consistently pulled the ball. Many scouts projected Jerome to be an all-star outfielder at the big league level. As David suited up and took a look at himself in the mirror, it hit him. He was a pro-ballplayer. He was Dunedin Blue Jay. David took the mound. It wasn't as hot as he had expected. There was a delightful breeze blowing. He felt good. Today was his day. David struck out the first hitter he faced and would wind up going 5.2 innings while giving up no runs and 5 hits. He struck out 4 and walked none. It was a good start. He got the win as the Blue Jays scored 7 runs in the first 5 innings. David's favorite part of the game was that he held Jerome Monte, the superstud, to a line of 0-3 2K 1GDP. His first day as a Blue Jay was a success. Wes also faired well. Due to injuries and a lack of pitching in the Mariners organization, Wes was sent to AAA Tacoma. He would throw 5 innings exactly striking out 8 and giving up 1 run on 3 hits. Brandon had been pitching AA Frisco for the Rangers all year. After his most recent start he was 3-3 with a staggering 6.00 ERA. Last year, he had gone 7-4 with a 3.22 ERA in A then was called up to AA and went 2-0 with a 2.17ERA in 2 games. He had shown promise but was flaming out this season.

04-20-2007, 07:23 PM	#28
Astros33Resurrected Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lufkin, TX Posts: 2,213	David was joining a Blue Jay team that was struggling. They stood at 18-40 and 13 games back in the AL East. They did sport Roy Halladay who was a former CY Young Award winner and AJ Burnett who was a pretty good pitcher. Their offense was terrible. They were in the middle of a rebuild and were planning on using David as a stop gap between some of the pitchers they dumped and the studs they had coming up. David would take the mound for the first time against the Baltimore Orioles in Toronto.

04-21-2007, 06:29 PM	#29
Ric915 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lake Havasu City Arizona Posts: 1,262	Holy cow a quick call up

04-21-2007, 07:05 PM	#30
hayesb26 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 267	is this callup your doing, or in-game?

04-26-2007, 01:47 AM	#33
Astros33Resurrected Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lufkin, TX Posts: 2,213	David studied the scouting report diligently. He wanted to be completely prepared for whatever he had to face. He looked over the names of the O's hitters. Morgan Ensberg.Josh Fields. Miguel Tejada. Aubrey Huff. Prince Fielder. And the most dangerous, 24 year old Drew Stubbs. Stubbs was the 1st overall pick back in 2006 and was quickly becoming an elite player. The more David looked over the names, the more nervous he became. He would have to make his first start at home against one of the better line-ups in the league. He prepared to go warm-up. As he walked towards the bullpen, he was stopped by his manager, Joe Carter. "Hey dave"-Joe Said "Yes sir?" "We are gonna hold off pitching you tonight and just use you in relief" "ok?" "Janssen isn't as bad as we thought, and we think he can handle going at least five. So be prepared to come in if he gets hurt again or struggles." "Yes sir." David was a little crushed. Janssen was healthy and soon MR Clay Bucholz would come off the DL. Would that leave any room for David?

04-26-2007, 01:56 AM	#34
Astros33Resurrected Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lufkin, TX Posts: 2,213	The game started. Janssen would pitch well through the first five, giving up just one run. David began to stretch on his own, figuring he would get the call soon. Janssen gave up a hit to start the sixth. The he got a strikeout. Then gave up another hit. With runners on first and second, Joe went to the phone. He called the bullpen. The bullpen coach picked up and looked at his guys. "Rosario and......Rubino" ,"You guys get up" David still sat there. He hadn't got to pitch yet and it looked doubtful he would. The ninth came and still he sat. BJ Ryan went in and closed out the game. The Blue Jays won 4-3 and David didn't even get to warm up. He made it back into the clubhouse and to his locker. He started to change and noticed a note in his locker. After he got dressed, he went to see Joe. "Well....Bucholz is ready son." "And?" "We are sending you back down. I'm really sorry son, but we just don't have the room on the team now. You did your job, you were ready to fill in. We won't forget that." "So I'm headed back to Dunedin?" "No, I didn't say that. Syracuse needs another started who can relieve to." "ok?" " Can you handle starting some days and relieving others?" "Yes sir. Whatever you need me to do." "Ok. Good deal son, take care."

04-26-2007, 02:09 AM	#35
Astros33Resurrected Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lufkin, TX Posts: 2,213	David would never see the majors again that season. He came close, but was passed over in favor of an older vet the club had just picked up in a trade. The Blue Jays would finish 63-99 and have the worst record in the league. David finish with a minor league record of 9-3 with a 3.45ERA between AAA and A. Wes would finish 13-6 with an ERA of 2.45 at AAA. Brandon would struggle this season at AA going 4-11 with a 5.34 ERA. Which would be the first to pitch in a major league game? Wes was the most talented at the time, but David had less in his way. Brandon carried the most upside. Who would it be...?

04-26-2007, 02:29 AM	#36
CatKnight All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,199	Brandon may have the most upside, but he had a bad year in AA. It looks like he needs another year of seasoning. How did Seattle do? That'll answer your question I think. I'm thinking David could be up some time this year given Toronto's poor performance, but Wes is ready to go now if the Mariners need him.

04-26-2007, 02:37 AM	#37
Astros33Resurrected Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lufkin, TX Posts: 2,213	Seattle finished 76-86. Not good.

04-26-2007, 02:42 AM	#38
Astros33Resurrected Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lufkin, TX Posts: 2,213	The 2010 season is upon us. Brandon will be at AA. Wes will be up and the #3 starter for Seattle. David will be in the bigs( ) and the #4 starter. Heres to looking forward to a beautiful 2010!!! The off-season saw all three increase their ratings, and climb higher towards there overall talent.

04-26-2007, 02:55 AM	#39
Astros33Resurrected Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lufkin, TX Posts: 2,213	The season began and Toronto dropped two of their first 3. With a team record of 1-2, David would take the hill in Toronto against the Indians. The Indians sported last years MVP, Travis Hafner, Grady Seizemore and Victor Martinez. They had won the AL Central last year and made it to the LCS before being ousted. David would face off against Evan Meek, a 26 year old who went 5-4 last year with a 5.45 ERA in 12 games after coming back from a shoulder injury. David took the mound. He glared in at Ramon Castro to get the signs. His heart was thumping almost out of his chest, he could barely breathe. He stepped off the rubber and wiped his forehead. He was sweating and haven't even thrown a single pitch. He stepped back on the mound and began his wind up. The first pitch was an 94MPH fastball on the inside corner. Strike one. "Where did that come from"-David asked himself. Many of the Toronto coaches and players were thinking the same thing. The second pitch was another fastball right on the black of the outside corner. Strike two. The third and fourth pitches were change-ups that missed outside. His fifth pitch of his career was one of the most beautiful pitches many had ever seen. It was a curveball that absolutely fooled everyone, even David himself. It started high and inside and ended up in the dirt on the outside. The hitter didn't have a chance. Strike three. David's first day went well. He threw 7 innings giving up 6 hits and walking one while striking out 4. He gave up no runs and the Jays rolled to an easy 6-0 victory. David had his name in the books. He was a major league pitcher. A major league pitcher with a win......