Ex-Ray Saunders attempts comeback
Original Ray Tony Saunders, who retired after breaking his left arm, wants to return.
By MARC TOPKIN
Published December 12, 2004
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Tony Saunders' pitching career appeared to end dramatically four years ago, the talented Devil Rays left-hander retiring after breaking his arm for the second time in 15 months while pitching.
But Saunders said Saturday he is making a comeback, that his arm is stronger than ever and he expects to pitch in the majors leagues - as a reliever - this season.
"Well see where it goes," Saunders said from his Tampa home. "I'm still only 30 years old."
Saunders made an emotional retirement announcement on Aug. 26, 2000, tears flowing as he said, "It's so hard knowing you're done."
He thought that was the case for much of the past four years, working briefly for the Rays in a front-office position, owning a St. Petersburg bar, then most recently selling stocks and bonds with plans to get into the mortgage business.
But this past summer he coached a Tampa AAU team and threw batting practice on a daily basis with no pain or discomfort.
"I didn't miss it a lot until this summer," he said. "I was throwing every day and didn't have any problems."
Saunders returns to the mound with no concern or worry about his arm breaking again. He said he has consulted extensively with Dr. Koco Eaton, the Rays' orthopedic physician, and that X-rays show his bone is twice as solid as it had been. He also said Eaton told him there is no risk of permanent damage should he suffer another break.
"We talked about it, and Dr. Eaton said, "The worst thing that could happen is that you break it again.' I've already been through that twice," Saunders said. "I wouldn't consider this if the X-ray didn't look so good."
Saunders signed reinstatement papers last week and said he is a free agent and hopes to sign soon with a team - most likely not the Rays - and start working his way back to the big leagues. He is throwing bullpen sessions several days a week, getting stronger each time, and said he impressed a Dodgers scout who watched a recent workout.
Saunders expects to spend some time in extended spring training and the minor leagues, but is confident he will get back to the big leagues.
"I'm going to be a bullpen guy, instead of a starter, so there will be a lot less stress," he said. "And I've changed my mechanics a little bit. I throw across my body more, so I don't put as much stress on my arm."
Saunders was the Rays' first pick in the November 1997 expansion draft from the Marlins. He went 5-15 with a 4.12 ERA in 1998 and was 3-3 with a 6.43 ERA when he broke the humerus bone throwing a pitch in a May 26, 1999, game at Tropicana Field.
He worked his way back and was pitching in a minor-league game at what is now Progress Energy Park in St. Petersburg on Aug. 24, 2000, when his left arm broke again.
"I'm going to take it slow," Saunders said. "Last time I tried to come back there was a lot of hype and a lot of interviews and stuff. I'm not going to do it that way this time. I'm going to lay low, and when I get back to the big leagues and prove I'm healthy I'll do that stuff. It's going to take a lot of work."