The D Train Tries To Get Back on Track

Well, a week of legal work has prevented me from blogging baseball or fantasy, but this is one of those feel good stories.

D Train had a little bit of Mark Fidrych in him, I think, when he landed in the Marlins dugout in 2003 from Double A. He was magical and marvelous and a fan favorite. Like Brandon Webb, he opened eyes and shook up the crowds.

Both are on the shelf now. But Brandon's trouble is physical. You can operate on that. Dontrelle seems to have lost the ability to stay within himself and his energies and passions have blown up like a balloon letting out air, spinning wildly in all directions.

We are all hoping he comes back, and is worth a fantasy shot again, of course. He can be had cheap. But do not be overly fooled by hearing he threw six innings of two run ball for the 'Harrisburg Senators.' He has a long way to go from this minor league town to a major league arena, to umps all over the strike zone and fans with less patience. But we will be rooting for the train to get back on track.

Odd though, is it not, this World Series hero, this all star, this multi million dollar salaried pitcher, quietly working things out in a small town, apart from the crowds, the awe, and the spotlight of major league baseball. Sometimes a reminder to walk barefoot in your roots is a good way to get replanted.