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Home > Blogs > Springfield, Ohio High School Sports > Archives > 2009 > March > 25
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
On this date in area sports history …
Eleven years ago on this date, March 25, 1998, Springfield’s Rick White was sent down to Triple A by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, postponing his bid to return to the major leagues following elbow surgery. White was called up on May 31, 1998.
Complete story on the jump.
RAYS SEND WHITE DOWN
KENTON RIDGE GRADUATE SENT TO TRIPLE-A DURHAM TO BECOME STARTER
By Ron Ware, News-Sun Sports Writer
Even in the early days of spring training, Rick White predicted a “constantly revolving door” on the Tampa Bay Devil Rays’ clubhouse.
Wednesday, that door shut on the 29-year-old Kenton Ridge product, ending — for now — the right-hander’s bid to return to the major leagues after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery 27 months ago.
The Devil Rays, who open their inaugural season on Tuesday, reassigned White to Class AAA Durham (N.C.) of the International League as part of a six-player cut to 33, still eight over the regular-season limit. They expect to trim two or three more pitchers.
“I’m kind of bitter about the whole situation,” White said Wednesday night from his apartment in St. Petersburg. “I came down here with these guys last year — took the chance of pitching for them in the minors instead of maybe being in the majors — and busted my butt last year and all winter, and I got down here early this year and busted my butt.
“I got slapped in the face, really. I’m tired of being Mr. Nice Guy.”
White, who had pitched well but sparingly in the exhibition season, figured he was being sent down when summoned to Manager Larry Rothschild’s office. But he never expected to hear that he’s being converted to a starter again.
Rothschild told him to build his innings at Durham and he’ll be the first pitcher called up.
“Rothschild’s exact words,” he said, “were that, It's not that you didn't pitch good and it's not that you didn't do everything we asked of you' — and I'm wondering, so why am I getting cut? —it’s that’s you didn’t get enough work in. We want you to go to Triple-A and be a starter.’ ”
White was told in January that he was being groomed for long relief but had trouble getting innings with 39 pitchers in camp. Still, he had pitched well in all but one of his six appearances in “A” games, allowing six hits over 52/3 innings while striking out three and walking one. His earned-run average of 4.76 would have been just 1.80 had he not given up two runs in two-thirds of an inning — on a bad hop, he said — while mopping up in a 20-5 loss to Minnesota on March 6. He also worked six scoreless innings in “B” games.
“I can’t do anything more than I did,” he said. “I’m throwing 95 mph. I’m throwing four pitches well. I was ready.”
Still, White said he felt the Devil Rays were being honest when they told him he’s still in their future as a starting pitcher and that he could be back with the club in a matter of a couple of weeks.
“That’s what they told me,” he said. “It doesn’t make me feel any better, but they told me I was going to be the first one back up.”
White’s 58 career major-league appearances include 14 starts. He broke into the majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1994, going 4-5 with six saves and a 3.82 ERA as a rookie and 2-3 with a 4.75 ERA the next season before developing elbow problems.
After undergoing “Tommy John surgery” on his right elbow in December 1995 and missing all of 1996, he signed with Tampa Bay prior to last season and spent the year at Class AA Orlando of the Southern League. He went 5-7 with a 4.71 ERA with 12 saves before shoulder tendinitis ended his season in August.
White, who is now out of options, said his arm has never felt better. And a $150,000 minor-league salary will cushion the blow of being sent down.
“But it’s not about the money,” he said. “It’s all about pitching in the majors. That’s why I busted my butt. That’s all I want to do.”
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