| | Associated Press
MIAMI -- Joe Strong, a 37-year-old reliever, became the
oldest player to make his major-league debut in nearly 40 years
when he took the mound Thursday night for the Florida Marlins.
The Marlins recalled Strong earlier in the day from Triple-A
Calgary. He entered their game against the Atlanta Braves in the
seventh inning and pitched 1 1/3 hitless innings to help Florida
win 5-4.
|  | | Joe Strong took a red-eye flight from Calgary, home of the Marlins' Triple-A farm team, and made his successful big-league debut with Florida hours later. |
Strong is the oldest player to make his big-league debut since
pitcher Diomedes Olivo on Sept. 5, 1960 for the Pittsburgh Pirates
at age 41.
Strong spent 11 years in the minor leagues with five
organizations and pitched in five countries -- the United States,
Taiwan, Korea, Mexico and Canada. He joins the youngest team in
baseball, and several Marlins were surprised to learn his age.
"A lot of them can't believe it -- 'How old are you? No way!' " Strong said. "I'm floating."
In 343 minor-league games, Strong has a 49-57 record with a 4.22 ERA. Last year alone, he pitched in Triple-A Durham,
Double-A Orlando and Mexico City of the Mexican League. This year
he was 1-1 at Calgary with a 4.67 ERA and three saves in 10 games.
To further bolster an injury-depleted pitching staff, the
Marlins acquired left-handed reliever Ron Mahay from Oakland for
cash considerations. Mahay, designated for assignment Monday by the
A's, is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in 16 innings this season.
Florida also recalled right-handed rookie Jason Grilli from
Calgary to start Thursday's game against the Atlanta Braves. The
Marlins placed reliever Ricky Bones (strained back) on the disabled
list retroactive to May 6, and they placed outfielder Mark Smith on
the 15-day DL with a strained right elbow.
Strong, who still has a 93-mph fastball, was drafted in the 15th
round in 1984 by the Oakland Athletics. He has also been in the
Cubs, Padres and Devil Rays organizations, and he pitched in the
Orient for six years.
Before this season, the oldest Marlin to make his major-league
debut was pitcher Kirt Ojala at age 28.
Strong, a native of Fairfield, Calif., struggled with a sore arm
in the mid-1990s, underwent surgery and has slowly improved since
then.
"I finally got my pitching to a place where I felt I could take
it to a high level," he said.
Why did he keep chasing the dream of playing in the majors?
"Just the love of the game," he said. | |
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Marlins' win is one for the ages
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