When Fernando Tatis was recalled to Baltimore from Triple-A Ottawa July 21, it appeared to be nothing more than an inspiring story highlighting a once-forgotten player?s hard work and patience. But now, the slugging infielder is using a second life in the major leagues as an opportunity to extend a career that as recent as a year ago seemed to be over.
Tatis, 31, is a natural third baseman but has seen most of his playing time with the Orioles at first base, splitting playing time with veterans Jeff Conine and Kevin Millar. In 90 games at Ottawa, the former slugger for the Rangers, Cardinals and Expos was batting .298 with seven home runs and 37 runs batted in.
In 15 games with the Orioles, Tatis is batting .243 with six runs batted in and two home runs. Both longballs came off left-handers, including one against former Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson. Tatis is hitting .300 against lefties.
“One thing that he?s been able to do for us so far is hit some left-handed pitching,” Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo said.
Tatis is still learning first base, a position that he finds more challenging defensively than he originally thought.
“I?ve got to get used to everything,” Tatis said. “The more that I play first base, the more I?ll be comfortable.”
He understands that he needs to show the ability to play unfamiliar defensive positions in order to stick in the big leagues next spring.
“When you talk to me about next season, we?ll continue to put him in here and there, and maybe more than here and there,” Perlozzo said. “We?ll see what he does.”
In 1999, a 24-years old Tatis cranked 34 home runs and drove in 107 runs with a .298 average for St. Louis. All were career highs ? and lofty goals for a young hitter to duplicate.
“There?s nothing I can do about it,” he said. “I?ve just got to be myself and not try to push.”
If all goes well, he?d like to reward the team that gave him another shot.
“If they want me to be here, yeah,” Tatis said. “I?m happy to be here.”
THE TATIS FILE
» Tatis has played first base, second base, third base and right field, aside from serving as designated hitter.
» As a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, Tatis hit two grand slams in the same inning on April 23, 1999 at Dodger Stadium.
