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Patiently Waiting For His Chance

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By ADAM ADKINS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 4, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Ryan Raburn may be playing an unfamiliar role, but it's something he gladly will take right now.

After all, things could be a lot worse for the 27-year-old former Durant High standout. Raburn could be a utility man in the minor leagues instead of filling that role with the Detroit Tigers.

Raburn didn't get much playing time this weekend when Detroit came to town for a three-game series against the Rays. His only appearance came late in Saturday's game when he replaced Magglio Ordonez in right field in the bottom of the eighth inning, and he grounded out in his only trip to the plate. Tampa Bay completed a three-game sweep of Raburn's Tigers with a 6-5 victory in 10 innings Sunday.

"It's tough, man. It's tough to adjust, but it's one of those things you've got to do," said Raburn, who up until this season had been an everyday player at every stop during his baseball career. "I'd like to play a little bit more, but the talent we've got on this team, it's tough to get in the lineup. But being a part of the team is awesome, and whenever I get a chance I just go out there and play hard."

While it has been a different type of year for Raburn, there have been some positives.

For starters, he made the big-league club out of spring training this season after breaking into the majors on two previous occasions - a September call-up in 2004 and a midseason call-up in 2007, when he spent the final three months with the Tigers. And, despite hitting just .238 this season, his overall performance has been good enough to stick with Detroit, a confidence boost to say the least.

Raburn's ultimate goal is to become an everyday player in the majors, but because he's still a young player he isn't pressing the issue at this point. He views his current stint with the Tigers as a valuable opportunity to learn from a roster loaded with several savvy veterans, including fellow Hillsborough County products Gary Sheffield (Hillsborough) and Kenny Rogers (Plant City).

"Right now, I've just got to wait for my shot," Raburn said. "I'm just waiting for my turn."

Teammate Matt Joyce can empathize with Raburn's situation. Joyce, an Armwood High product in his rookie season with the Tigers, also has fought to get on the field in Detroit's lineup, and he knows the difficulties involved with not having your number called every day.

"Not playing every day and not getting into a rhythm to where you feel comfortable out there, when you play every third or fourth day and when things aren't perfect you're going to be way off and you're going to have a rough day," Joyce said.

Still, Joyce believes Raburn one day will get his chance to be an everyday player in the big leagues.

"Raburn is such a great player that any other team he'd probably be playing every day," Joyce said. "You just have to sit back and know what your position is and hopefully you'll have the chance to play every day soon. I know whenever that day comes, he'll be ready."

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 657-4533 or aadkins@tampatrib.com.

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