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Phelps completes record-setting climb

By MIKE READLING

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 20, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- When the Rays selected Travis Phelps in the 89th round of the 1996 draft he didn't give it a second thought.

Phelps knew he was headed to Crowder County (Mo.) Community College as a draft-and-follow player. Signing wasn't an option. Besides, from where he stood, the major leagues seemed like "a mountain."

Thursday, the 23-year-old right-hander reached the top of that mountain, receiving the call-up from Triple-A Durham to take the place of Ken Hill, who was released.

The 6-2, 165-pound Phelps is the lowest drafted player to appear on a major-league roster, surpassing Cubs infielder Jason Maxwell, drafted in the 74th round in 1993.

"It didn't seem possible at the time," Phelps said. "I called everybody I knew when I found out. There was all kinds of commotion. This is pretty historic, not just for me but for everyone else back home."

Phelps, who was 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in four relief appearances at Durham, made his major-league debut in the sixth, inducing two groundouts and a fly ball to left.

Phelps' debut was a dream that almost never got the chance to come true. Not only did he beat the odds of being a low pick, he also fought through personal issues to remain on track.

"A couple of years ago, when I was in the Florida State League, there were a lot of family problems going on back home and I started to question whether it was really worth it," Phelps said.

"But I stuck with it. I got homesick a lot. But it's all paying off right now."

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