The 6-foot-3, 275-pound left-hander has pitched in 237 minor-league games across nine seasons. But it's the six games he pitched for the White Sox in September 2007 that keeps the dream alive for the 28-year-old, who is in Rays camp as a minor-league pitcher.
If you made it to the big leagues once, you can make there again, right?
A guy in my position, that's definitely what you want. I had a little stint up there (six games, 1-1, 3.68 ERA). I threw pretty well. It came down to a numbers game, and I was the odd man out. I've been working, trying to get my pitches where they need to be to get back to that level.
What do you remember from your month in the big leagues?
It was the best. I think it was 28 days to be exact. I didn't take it for granted, and I never will, because you look around, you see how hard everybody works and you want to work just as hard to get back to that level. That's the reason why you play the game, to get to the major leagues. Now that I've been there, it makes me want it more.
What was the highlight of those 28 days?
My first big-league win. It came against the Twins in Chicago (an 11-10, 13-inning victory, Sept. 7, 2007). Now I can say I got at least one win in the big leagues. If I never get back, and hopefully I do, I at least have one win.
Do you have any souvenirs from that game?
I have everything. I got the lineup card, the ball. I took everything I could.
How did you get the win?
I entered in the 13th. I think A.J. Pierzynski hit the ball (a bases-loaded single) to score the winning run. I was going nuts in the dugout. I didn't realize at the time I got the win. Then I got in the clubhouse and a couple of guys threw beer all over me, did the old beer shower. Everybody walked up to me and congratulated me. It was a good feeling.
Roger Mooney
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