Disappointed, but undeterred.
Seth McClung was released by the Florida Marlins on Tuesday, but his confidence was not shattered.
The 1999 Greenbrier East graduate signed a minor league deal with the club in February after he was non-tendered by the Milwaukee Brewers. He received a spring training invite and was one of three people competing for the Marlins’ final bullpen spot.
“Overall, yes,” McClung said of his disappointment. “I felt I brought a lot to their ballclub. They are very young and having experienced pitchers is always a good thing.”
McClung had spent all or part of the last eight seasons in the big leagues, except for the 2004 season when he was recuperating from Tommy John surgery while with the Tampa Bay Rays.
He was traded to Milwaukee in July 2007 and remained there until the Brewers let him go this offseason.
McClung was one of several pitchers signed to minor league deals by the Marlins.
He had one bad outing, March 8 against the New York Mets, in which he gave up six earned runs in 2/3 of an inning.
But his earned run average decreased with every subsequent appearance. He only allowed three earned runs over his next 5 2/3 innings and was 2-0 with an 11.05 ERA — down from 32.40 — when the Marlins released him.
“Surprised, a little,” McClung said. “I had one poor outing early in camp. Besides that, every time I threw the ball it was good to exceptional.”
McClung felt his release was more of a business decision than a knock against his skills.
“I just felt that they didn’t really know who I was as a player,” he said. “The pitcher who makes the team over me at this point was already on their 40-man roster and there were less moves to be made to add him to the 25-man roster.”
For now, McClung will head back to his Tampa home with wife Stephanie and their daughter Madison. He fully expects to be pitching again soon.
“We have some calls out and I am sure that there will be interest,” he said. “I have pitched in the major leagues a total of seven years and (teams) can always use experienced pitchers out of the pen. I have been very blessed by the Lord. I just put my trust in Him that all things happen for a reason.”
Today's Sports Front
McClung let go by Marlins
- Today's Sports Front
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Woodrow downs defending AAA champs
It’s a play that Woodrow Wilson has practiced everyday this season and has rarely had to utilize.
It’s a good thing the Flying Eagles did practice it; it saved their season and led to a 2-1 victory over defending state champion Princeton. -
No repeat for Warriors
Independence has been on a tear offensively the entire month of May. It didn’t stop Tuesday, even against Wyoming East ace Derek Thornton.
The Patriots led 5-0 after two innings, and Brian Sexton — backed by that very offense and some sparkling defense — gutted out a complete game in a 7-5 win in the Class AA Region 3 semifinals Tuesday night. -
’Hounds hold off upset bid from Man Hillbillies
Valley’s potent offense never came to life, but the Greyhounds are still alive.
Valley (22-7) — with several players hitting .400 or better this season — could muster just three singles against underdog Man (6-20-1) in one of two Class A Region 3 baseball semifinals Tuesday, but the ’Hounds manufactured two runs in the crucial fifth inning to finally go ahead of the stubborn Hillbillies and escape with a 3-2 victory. -
WVU baseball team helps tornado victims
West Virginia University head baseball coach Randy Mazey was having lunch at an Oklahoma City restaurant Monday afternoon, keeping a close watch on the television set.
With every passing minute, the tornado that devastated the Oklahoma town of Moore, was moving closer and closer to his location and its path was being documented by a local television station. At one point, the coach even looked out the window to see if he could see the approaching funnel. -
Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship Format Changed
In the wake of this week’s devastating storm in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, the Big 12 Conference is postponing the start of the 2013 Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship. No. 3 seeded WVU scheduled to take on Kansas at 4 p.m. (Central) on Thursday.
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Patriots, Warriors meet in anticipated matchup
The matchup many people expected will take place today.
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Fayette teams, Cavaliers vying for Class A spots
Two Fayette County baseball teams have advanced deeper into postseason play and will begin Region 3 tournament action today.
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Epling already having a busy week for Miners
At this point a year ago, Sam Lewis was the only player on the West Virginia Miners roster to have reported to Beckley. All he did was pitch two no-hitters, and the Miners won the 2012 Prospect League championship.
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Confident Mavs headed to states
From the outset, James Monroe’s mission was clear: Get to the state softball tournament.
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Eagles get 2nd shot at Tigers
The road to the Class AAA state championship for Princeton last year went through Beckley. A repeat would require the same stop, but Woodrow Wilson is looking to put up more resistance this time around.
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