Thursday, June 19, 2003
The former Kansas City pitcher signed with the Indians in February.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NILES -- Under the lights on a June evening in Upstate New York, Chad Durbin will try to revive his baseball career.
His right arm wrecked by wear and tear spanning seven professional seasons as a starting pitcher, Durbin, now with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, was forced to undergo surgery on his elbow last September.
He was a young talent in the Kansas City Royals organization, having been drafted in the third round out of high school and reaching the big leagues as a rookie in 1996.
Durbin bounced between the majors and minors before making 16 starts for the Royals in 2000 and 29 the following season. In those two seasons, he compiled an 11-21 record and 5.87 earned-run average.
But something happened to Durbin's arm that he can't explain.
Perspective
"It could have been 100 different reasons," Durbin said of his injury, "but it was probably the best thing that ever happened to me."
Since the end of that 2001 season, in which he compiled 179 innings, Durbin hasn't pitched in a game and felt good. Now, he's looking to finally get that chance, and he's doing so with a new perspective on life and baseball.
"I believe that rehab has built my arm up, but mentally I know things are put together well," said Durbin, 25, who was scheduled to start the Scrappers' season opener Tuesday against the Batavia Muckdogs.
Durbin ran out of options with the Royals. On Dec. 18 of 2002, he was taken off their roster and became a free agent.
That's when the Cleveland Indians came into the picture after seeing what Durbin worked to overcome. He signed as a free agent in February.
"I learned baseball didn't own me. Before surgery, my whole life weighed on how I pitched that night," Durbin said. "I love baseball, but I can live without it. Being away creates a different kind of passion."
Timetable
If everything goes as planned, Durbin won't be with Mahoning Valley long. First, he must take care of business in Batavia, where the Scrappers will play three games before opening their home schedule Friday against Auburn.
"It's the first time under the lights since last year and against guys who don't know me and don't care," said Durbin, who made five starts with the Royals and two in the minors last season.
So what's his plan of attack against the Muckdogs?
"Get strike one," said Durbin, whose assortment of pitches includes a good changeup. "Have control of each pitch and not look three innings ahead; keep my emotions under control."
Results are important to Durbin, but they're not the only thing. If he can raise his pitch count and still feel good the next day, he will consider it a successful outing.
"I know I belong," Durbin said, "but the only way I'll feel like I belong is if I can beat these guys to get back up there. I want to earn it. I feel like I can do that here."
richesson@vindy.com