He was a 16th-round pick in the 2000 MLB draft, just another pick out of many on draft day, but James Shields, with his bulldog mentality, made more out of his experience in baseball than just being a draft selection.
Shields made his major league debut at 24 and struck out 184 batters the next season, on his way to a 12-8 record. His win-loss numbers would improve the next season, as he became the opening day starter for the Rays.
After a bit of a down season in 2009, Shields still seemed fine to most coming into the 2010 season but quickly found out that certainly was not the case.
Shields gave up an MLB-most 117 earned runs and 34 home runs. He also had a skyrocketing 5.18 ERA, something he donned after a couple of the worst starts of his career.
So coming into this season, it’s clear Shields three-year run as the team’s Opening Day starter is over, with David Price being the All-Star game starter and top left-handed pitcher in the game.
But even with his dismal season in 2010 and his bit of a demotion to at least second in the rotation, Shields has not lost his confidence.
Shields has been quoted several times about not caring what anyone else thinks of his play last year and that minus a couple of starts (I suddenly visualize that game in Toronto…ouch), he would of been just fine ERA-wise.
In Shields’ mind, he doesn’t even think he had a down year: “No, not at all, and frankly I don’t care what anybody says.”
In this situation, it’s good that he blocks out the “haters” and doubters that he has. But the truth is, there’s no hiding that it was a down year for him.
As the results Price has put up and the ones that Jeremy Hellickson will put up overshadow Shields, he’ll try to quiet the critics. Then again, he could be traded by the Rays if he is having a decent year and the Rays aren’t in contention but don’t count on that happening.
Many have already called for Tampa Bay to trade Shields, but there would have been no real value in return. While others (being fans) may have lost the faith in Shields, the Rays are still holding on to him and one person in particular has all the confidence in the world in him—James Shields.
And as long as that remains, a comeback season, even though he wouldn’t call it that, could certainly occur.
Any way you look at it, Shields must have a solid season for the Rays to contend deep into the season. The Rays will be asking for plenty of innings again from Shields to take away some of the load off the bullpen.
So while many don’t believe he’s in the Rays’ future plans and he won’t turn it around enough to stay with the organization, Shields says he’s very well-prepared for this season.
I guess we’ll know sooner, rather than later, if that’s the case.
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