Bullington enjoying fresh start
It hardly helped that the names of those "other" players drafted in 2002 were unfailingly evoked by the media with every Bullington disappointment. Rattle off the list: Scott Kazmir, Prince Fielder, Matt Cain, Cole Hamels, Joe Saunders, Khalil Greene and Jeff Francouer, to name a few of those drafted behind Bullington.
This season, Bullington went 4-6 with a 5.52 ERA in 15 starts at Triple-A Indianapolis. He was called up to Pittsburgh for two weeks earlier this season, but Pirates manager John Russell never called on him.
It was the final blow in an unhealthy relationship.
"I don't think I ever got that shot, that string of five or six starts to see what I could do at that level," Bullington said. "I felt like I was just spinning my wheels there."
The Pirates designated Bullington for assignment July 3. He called the move "disappointing" while recognizing the opportunity it brought.
Now, in Cleveland with an arm he claims keeps getting stronger, Bullington is anxious to move on.
"I still feel like I've got the ability to pitch in the major leagues," he said. "Hopefully I can pitch myself into a good situation here."
dbriggs@buffnews.com
-----
To see more of The Buffalo News, N.Y., or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.buffalonews.com.
Copyright (c) 2008, The Buffalo News, N.Y.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
