Spooneybarger's frustration shows

 

By Joe Capozzi, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Sunday, February 22, 2004

 

 

 

JUPITER -- The Florida Marlins won the World Series in October. But just in case the champagne celebration and parades didn't do the job, the reality will hit home April 10 when the players receive their World Series rings -- the chunk of jewelry that every player on every team dreams about on the first day of spring training.

 

It was Tim Spooneybarger's dream last spring training when the outspoken, tattoo-covered reliever boldly predicted the 2003 Marlins could win it all. But now that the Marlins are baseball's defending champions, Spooneybarger isn't particularly eager to get his ring.

 

"It'll be nice to look at, but I don't feel like I earned it. I don't think I can wear it around proudly like a lot of the other guys,'' he said. "That's not anything bad. It's just to motivate me, I want to be back and help earn one instead of sitting there for three months and being given one.''

 

Spooneybarger was among the pitchers and catchers who reported to Roger Dean Stadium on Saturday for the opening of spring training. But his role will be limited to exercises -- and no competition -- as his right elbow continues to heal from Tommy John surgery.

 

He last pitched competitively on June 11, then went on the disabled list June 17 with right elbow tendinitis. On Aug. 22, he went to Birmingham, Ala., where Dr. James Andrews performed the reconstructive elbow surgery.

 

"He's a good guy,'' Spooneybarger said of Andrews, "but I never want to see him again.''

 

Spooneybarger remembers feeling a sense of optimism just before the surgery. "I remember before I went to sleep, I looked up and saw a photo of John Smoltz (the Braves pitcher who made a successful comeback after Andrews performed surgery on his arm).

 

"I got to watch him play every day. He's unbelievable,'' said Spooneybarger, who pitched for Atlanta in 2002 before the Marlins traded for him in the off-season.

 

"If I can do what he did, I'll be around for a long time. I also go to see what happened to a lot of people; there are a lot of pictures up on the wall (in the hospital).''

 

As the Marlins rolled on to clinch the wild-card berth and eventually the championship, all Spooneybarger could do is sit with his arm in a sling and watch. He has stayed in touch with teammate A.J. Burnett, who underwent the same procedure last April and hopes to return in May.

 

As for Spooneybarger's return, he insists he has no timetable. He knows the Marlins need bullpen help, which will make it all the more frustrating of a spring for him.

 

He had been soft-tossing at 90 feet and took a significant step Friday when he threw at 120 feet. "I got chills throwing, just because of the (positive) feeling,'' he said.

 

He'll continue his rehab while commuting from the new home he and his wife bought in suburban Lake Worth.

 

"I've never wanted to pitch so badly before in my life than I do now,'' he said.

 

"I don't even want to say I'll be back in July, but if it's possible, I will be.''

 

joe_capozzi@pbpost.com

Reliever looks to return by mid-summer

 

By Juan C. Rodriguez

Staff Writer

Posted February 22 2004

 

JUPITER ? The last image he remembered seeing before going under was a photo of John Smoltz. It was autographed with thanks to Dr. James Andrews, who last September added Tim Spooneybarger to a long, distinguished list of pitchers who have undergone ligament replacement surgery on his operating table.

 

Spooneybarger's apprehensions melted in those final moments before the anesthetic took hold. He remembered how Smoltz went from one of the game's best starters to an elite closer despite needing Tommy John surgery.

 

Five months into his rehabilitation, Spooneybarger is even more optimistic. Monday, he'll start throwing from 120 feet with the hope of pitching for the Marlins again at some point after the All-Star break.

 

"As of right now it looks like I'd come back a lot sooner than I originally thought or anybody thought," said Spooneybarger, among team members trickling into the Marlins' spring training complex Saturday. "I just don't want to actually put a date on it. I'll pitch this season. Then again, I didn't think I was going to get hurt last year, so there's no telling what's going to happen."

 

Spooneybarger made his final appearance June 11 and was placed on the disabled list with tendinitis. Though he totaled 42 innings in 33 games, he never felt a part of the championship. He'll get a ring like everyone else, but he hopes to make a larger contribution toward the next one.

 

"It'll be nice to look at, but I don't feel like I earned it," Spooneybarger said. "I don't feel like I can wear it around proudly like a lot of these guys are going to."

 

Spooneybarger and his wife, Misty, were Pensacola residents until recently purchasing a home in Lake Worth. Though Spooneybarger arrived to camp with no new body art, he's trying to talk Misty into her first.

 

"She's coming around," Spooneybarger said. "My mom always said she'd never have trouble identifying my body. I hope she doesn't have to."

 

NEW NUMBER

 

Outfielder Miguel Cabrera will switch from No. 20 to No. 24, the one he has worn during his entire minor league career. Former interim manager and current special assistant Tony Perez has used No. 24 since 2001. He wasn't ready to give it to Cabrera last season.

 

"I had to ask him," Cabrera said. "He didn't want to give it to me [at first]. He said I had to earn it."

 

Cabrera did just that. Right-hander Michael Neu will wear No. 20.

 

PLAYERS SIGN

 

The Marlins have agreed to one-year contracts with several players: right-handers Ronald Belisario, Kevin Cave, Mike Flannery, Lincoln Holdzkom, Blaine Neal and Justin Wayne; left-handers Tommy Phelps and Franklyn Gracesqui; infielders Kevin Hooper and Josh Wilson; outfielders Chip Ambres, Chris Aguila and Abraham Nunez; and catcher Josh Willingham.

 

Those who remain unsigned are: pitchers Neu, Josh Beckett, Nate Bump, Spooneybarger and Dontrelle Willis; infielders Hee Seop Choi and Wilson Valdez; and Cabrera. ...

 

Belisario needs some additional time to secure his visa in Venezuela and won't be in Jupiter today for physicals. General Manager Admin Beinfest said all other pitchers and catchers are expected to be hand.

 

Copyright ? 2004, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Once we get Spooney back, we will be very good Bullpen wise. We will have to great setup men, Spooney and Fox to pitch for us in the late innings.

 

I hope Spooney can recover as fast as AJ is.

Once we get Spooney back, we will be very good Bullpen wise. We will have to great setup men, Spooney and Fox to pitch for us in the late innings.

 

I hope Spooney can recover as fast as AJ is.

He probably can since hes a RP, doesnt need 2 punish his arm as much. and hes also young which helps in a better recovery

I hope he recovers quick...He's a great pitcher.

So let me get this straight, the players of the World Championship teams do not get thier rings until April 10th? So how will Pudge, Urbina, Looper and all them get theirs?

So let me get this straight, the players of the World Championship teams do not get thier rings until April 10th? So how will Pudge, Urbina, Looper and all them get theirs?

I just wish they could show up at the stadium. so they wont get out alive

So let me get this straight, the players of the World Championship teams do not get thier rings until April 10th? So how will Pudge, Urbina, Looper and all them get theirs?

I just wish they could show up at the stadium. so they wont get out alive Why would Looper and Urbina not "get out alive"? I thought they left pretty amicably. We didn't even OFFER Urbina a contract.

So let me get this straight, the players of the World Championship teams do not get thier rings until April 10th? So how will Pudge, Urbina, Looper and all them get theirs?

I just wish they could show up at the stadium. so they wont get out alive Why would Looper and Urbina not "get out alive"? I thought they left pretty amicably. We didn't even OFFER Urbina a contract. i know

 

wtf

 

Looper and UUU did nothing wrong

we'll probably give looper his ring when the mets play us at pps

pudge will prob get his when we play at detroit

if ugie doesnt end up with a club, he might just be there on april 10 with the rest of the guys