February 25, 200521 yr JUPITER - Tim Spooneybarger was so down in the dumps Tuesday that when he got home that day he plugged in his electric guitar, cranked up the volume, and belted out heavy metal chords for an ear-splitting hour. He petted his miniature beagle, Closer, and poured out his feelings to his wife, Misty. ''Even going to sleep, I thought there was no way I could get up and go out there and throw the next day,'' he said. 'I was thinking, `I don't even know if I want to do this anymore.' '' While Tuesday was a low point in Spooneybarger's comeback from elbow surgery, Wednesday proved brighter. The pain and weakness he experienced in his right arm the day before had, for the most part, vanished. ''It's just frustrating,'' the 25-year-old reliever said of the physical and mental roller coaster he has been riding the past 17 months. But Spooneybarger refuses to quit. HE WANTS TO RETURN While he is slowly resigning himself to the likelihood he'll start the season not with the Marlins, but with the Triple A Albuquerque Isotopes, Spooneybarger said he plans to make it back to the majors to prove to the organization it didn't err in demanding him in a trade with the Atlanta Braves two years ago. ''I've all but looked for a place [to live] in Albuquerque,'' Spooneybarger said. ``I feel a lot of pressure to get back. I know I can get the job done, and I want to prove to everybody, including myself, that [the Marlins] didn't make a mistake.'' The Marlins obtained Spooneybarger in a 2002 trade with the Braves in which pitcher Mike Hampton was dealt to Atlanta as part of a three-team deal that included the Rockies. Spooneybarger opened the 2003 season as a set-up reliever in the Marlins bullpen and got off to a good start. Opposing batters hit .115 against him in his first eight appearances. But the innings piled up when Jack McKeon took over as manager, and on June 11, Spooneybarger made his final relief appearance of the season. When his arm didn't improve after spending three months on the disabled list, Spooneybarger had Tommy John surgery and watched from the dugout as the Marlins won the World Series. ''I was one of the youngest guys playing and had a great role,'' he said. ``It seemed like everything was as good as it could be. In a matter of weeks, I was nothing, and I've been nothing for two years.'' Spooneybarger was hoping his surgically repaired arm would return to full strength during spring training and enable him to make the Marlins' opening-day roster. Now he's not so sure. ''When I'm 100 percent, I'm going to be here and I'm going to get the job done,'' he said. ``It's not fair to me, and not fair to everyone else, to put me in the big leagues if I'm not ready.'' NO TIME TO WAIT The Marlins can wait patiently for Spooneybarger to regain his arm strength, because the team spent the offseason stockpiling the bullpen with a handful of new relievers. But Spooneybarger said the continual setbacks have made coping difficult. ''Every day it gets closer, but it's just tough sometimes seeing guys going out there competing every day and knowing I could be doing it,'' he said. ``My body is just not there yet. I've just got to get through this period everybody goes through. You have to go through the pain before you get better.'' ? McKeon said he would use a four-man rotation to start the Grapefruit League schedule, with Ismael Valdez the odd man out as he works his arm into pitching shape. The Marlins granted permission to Valdez to be two days late to spring training so the pitcher could attend the funeral of his grandfather, who died last week in Mexico. ? The Marlins agreed to terms with pitcher Dontrelle Willis on a one-year contract.
February 25, 200521 yr I read that article this morning! I hope Spooney's elbow will be back to normal soon! We need him in the bullpen! Closer is the cutest dog ever.. I saw him when I drove by his house
February 25, 200521 yr Holly is going to be all over this thread in 5... 4... 3... 2... 695380[/snapback] :lol I posted just in time :lol
February 26, 200521 yr Holly is going to be all over this thread in 5... 4... 3... 2... 695380[/snapback] :lol I posted just in time :lol 695384[/snapback] ROFL...
February 26, 200521 yr room for Luke Hagerty to jump into the bullpen. 695393[/snapback] And that could be a very good result. Now who is going to be released once Spooney is ready for the jump back to the bigs?
February 26, 200521 yr Author room for Luke Hagerty to jump into the bullpen. 695393[/snapback] And that could be a very good result. Now who is going to be released once Spooney is ready for the jump back to the bigs? 695399[/snapback] could it ever! who will be released?.... whoever sucks the most :mischief
February 26, 200521 yr Hopefully he makes it make back. Justin Wayne hasn't even been talked about since being roughed up at Albuquerque and the homer-friendly Pacific Coast League. It does allow the Marlins to carry an extra position player for the light early April schedule. Give Willingham or Aguila an extra week or two to prove themselves.
February 26, 200521 yr Justin Wayne hasn't even been talked about since being roughed up at Albuquerque and the homer-friendly Pacific Coast League. 695411[/snapback] Give him the roster spot. :mischief
February 26, 200521 yr room for Luke Hagerty to jump into the bullpen. 695393[/snapback] And that could be a very good result. Now who is going to be released once Spooney is ready for the jump back to the bigs? 695399[/snapback] Perisho has the cheapest contract. Alfonseca's big contract only becomes guaranteed if he makes the major league roster.
February 26, 200521 yr Release Lenny Harris. Ok, seriously, I have no idea who they'd send back at that point. If one of the other relievers is just flat sucking that would make it easy... Other than Vulture most of the bullpen are getting salaries high enough where I can't see them going to AAA.
February 26, 200521 yr room for Luke Hagerty to jump into the bullpen. 695393[/snapback] And that could be a very good result. Now who is going to be released once Spooney is ready for the jump back to the bigs? 695399[/snapback] could it ever! who will be released?.... whoever sucks the most :mischief 695407[/snapback] Hagerty could be the surprise of the BP, taking over the lefty specialist role from the out-of-shape Perisho.
February 26, 200521 yr Luke "Skywalker" Hagerty's my spring training special. but the whole reason a job is open for him is that they want two lefties. which means if Perisho doesn't totally stink they'll probably keep him in there too. ...... :plain what, too early for stupid nicknames?
February 26, 200521 yr Could always use 12 pitchers, but with arms still fresh and no road trip longer than 8 days early in the season it hardly seems worth it.
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