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2003 season Bullinger traveling from
country to country in hopes of making it back to the big leagues The desire to play Major League baseball is not easily extinguished. The urging to compete at baseball's highest level takes players around the globe --- from Caribbean winter leagues, to pro circuits in Asia, and to independent leagues in the United States.
It's this desire to again take the mound in a big league uniform that brought pitcher Jim Bullinger to Hermosillo this winter. The veteran of seven major league seasons is attempting to return to the major leagues for the first time since 1998. "I figured if I wanted to try to make one more run at the big leagues," commented the 38-year-old Bullinger, "I needed to come down to pitch some winter ball." It's not like Bullinger hasn't already had a taste of success at the major league level. The New Orleans native, who spent the first four years of his pro career as a shortstop, posted a 6-2 record with two saves and a 3.60 ERA in 1994, his first full season with the Chicago Cubs. He followed that one year later by going 12-8 in 24 starts. Bullinger spent the next three seasons bouncing from the Cubs to the Expos to the Mariners before suffering an arm injury that ended his big league career. Since 1998, Bullinger has pitched primarily in the independent Atlantic League, with brief stints in the Los Angeles and St. Louis organizations. His drive to return to baseball's top level has kept him going during the last five years. "I had a big injury in '98," Bullinger remarked. "I really want to come back and prove that I can pitch in the big leagues after having that surgery." Bullinger freely admits that, at his age, the odds are stacked against him. Yet he still owns a sharp curve ball and this winter was throwing his fast ball in the low 90s. He also has a pretty good idea what he needs to do to get an invitation to spring training. "Probably show some arm strength," answered Bullinger. "I'm doing that and showing them that I still have that curve ball ... that breaking pitch I used to have." Bullinger doesn't feel that his age should be a limiting factor. "I started pitching when I was 25 or 26," he continued, "and I'm in good shape. I work my butt off. I have a strong desire to play in the big leagues again."
He may not be that far away from a major league opportunity based on his performance this winter. Bulligner got back into pitching shape with Hermosillo in the Mexican Pacific League, where he pitched 32 innings, striking out 33 batters and putting up a 4.50 ERA. He then headed to the Dominican Republic in January. The 6'2", 190 pound right-hander pitched effectively for the Gigantes del Cibao during that team's push into the league championship round; Bullinger fanned 20 batters in 17.1 IPs while walking only four. In one of his last appearances, facing primarily major league hitters against eventual league champs Licey, he struck out the side. If his former organization, the Cubs, showed interest in Bullinger, he would certainly be interested. "That would be beautiful," answered Bullinger. "But they're pretty loaded up with pitching, so it's probably not the best place for me to be. But if they were interested, I would certainly talk to the Cubs because that's probably one of my favorite places in the world --- Wrigley Field." "The Cubs fans are some of the best fans in all of sports," he continued. "I really enjoyed my time there." Playing in Mexico this winter reminded Bullinger of his time in Chicago in one respect. "The fans here are awesome," he said in comparing the level of enthusiasm around the Hermosillo team with that in Chicago. "We walk around town and we're always recognized by fans ... they want to talk to us and they want us to win." It's this passion for the game that makes one believe that Bullinger will make it back to the big leagues. All he needs is a chance. "Hopefully, somebody will be open-minded enough to give me the opportunity," he said. --- Bill Mitchell All photos on the Arizona Fall League Report are credited to Bill Mitchell, unless noted otherwise, and are not to be used for any other purpose without express permission.
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