"Everything Is Big League"

March 31, 200620 yr

'Everything is big-league'

Making a major-league roster for the first time is a long-awaited dream come true for four Marlins.

BY KEVIN BAXTER

JUPITER - Ricky Nolasco found out when someone handed him an itinerary for the Marlins' season-opening road trip. Carlos Martinez got the news from manager Joe Girardi after his last spring training outing.

And Reggie Abercrombie knew he finally had made the major leagues when he counted heads in the Marlins clubhouse and realized there were only 25 guys left.

''It feels wonderful,'' Abercrombie said, repeatedly pulling on his undershirt and looking at the Marlins logo to make sure it was still there. ``Just to know that you made the team. Just everything.

``It's overwhelming. I'm finally here.''

UNFORGETTABLE

Those three players, along with outfielder Eric Reed, will put on a big-league uniform for the first time before Monday's season opener in Houston, and all four say it will be one of the biggest moments in their young lives.

Just as it once was for Girardi, who was sworn to secrecy when told he made the Chicago Cubs roster out of spring training in 1989.

''It's what you think about from the time you're a little boy,'' Girardi said. ``From the time I was 5 years old, all I could dream about was playing in the big leagues. And you get a chance to fulfill your dream.

``And it's even better that first day when you walk out on the field.''

That's why Nolasco's first call was to his parents.

''They were happy. It's something they've been waiting for since I signed a professional contract,'' said the 23-year-old pitcher, who is making the jump from Double A. ``I've always had their support, and they never doubted me.''

Martinez, 23, who has pitched just three innings above the low minors in a five-year professional career, also called his family in the Dominican Republic to tell him he was now a big-leaguer. And after some teary congratulations, they reminded him the real work starts Monday.

''The only thing they told me is now that I've gotten here . . . I have to work hard to stay here,'' he said in Spanish. ``The ball is round and you have to be lucky. You have to work hard and take advantages of your opportunities.''

Across the clubhouse, first baseman Mike Jacobs, who came to camp virtually guaranteed a roster spot, remembered the call last August that told him he was being promoted to the big leagues with the New York Mets.

''I called my mom, and she started crying and I almost started crying,'' he said.

Teammate Matt Treanor admitted that he, too, cried when he was called up after 11 seasons in the minors. But he said he didn't really understand how special the moment was within the baseball fraternity until he got his first hit the next day and Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sean Casey congratulated him.

That made those long years of sacrifice worthwhile, just as it has for Reed.

WORTH THE WAIT

'Ever since high school, just going out early and hitting, running, lifting weights, all that stuff. It all feels good when you actually get to one of your big goals and then look back and think, `This is what I was working for,' '' said Reed, who spent his winter playing in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

As of Thursday morning Reed, 25, said no one had officially welcomed him to the big leagues, but he figured he had made the team when he found a shiny new Marlins suitcase in front of his locker beneath a luggage tag with his uniform number on it.

''Actually I went and bought new luggage a couple of weeks ago,'' he said. ``I didn't know we were getting suitcases.''

But Reed said he still hadn't told his family. And might not until he gets on the team charter this morning.

''When I'm on that plane I'll know for sure I'm on the team,'' he said.

In a corner of the locker room, Abercrombie was still smiling as he picked through a travel bag full of new clothes to wear on Opening Day. Nine months ago he sat in the same room as a member of the Jupiter Hammerheads of the Single A Florida State League.

Now he's a major leaguer.

''It paid off just to hear my little nephew tell me he's proud of me,'' said Abercrombie, 24. ``It was all worth it. It was worth my mom going every day to football and baseball practices. My dad putting up with everything, buying me everything.

``Being here in this locker room last year in Jupiter. And now getting to leave with a major-league ball team. Everything is big-league now.''

So cool to see guys who've worked their way through the minors & getting their first shot at the bigs. Has got to be a dream come true for them & their families. :thumbup

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March 31, 200620 yr

It's good to hear stuff like this about the young players on the team, but also guys like Treanor who toiledin the minors for years until they got their chance. I have a lot of respect for guys like that, because they dont give up.

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