More on Willie

Have you had enough already?

Spring training is bringing many baseball articles on Willie.

Here is the newest:

Reliever Eyre takes a long road back to Texas Rangers
10:44 PM CDT on Monday, March 23, 2009
By ANTHONY ANDRO / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

SURPRISE, Ariz. – Willie Eyre has spent the last 14 months living in Surprise, rehabbing from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in August of 2007.
Eyre has nothing against Arizona, but he'd love to relocate to Arlington, Texas, next month.

That would mean Eyre, 30, has earned a spot in the Rangers bullpen and completed a long road back from injury.

"Getting hurt stung," Eyre said. "But at the same time, it was good in a way. Maybe I needed to find the love of baseball. I love baseball. I love being out here. The enjoyment I have now being here is ten times more than it was. To feel like I feel now, I don't know that I would want to change it."

A healthy Eyre could be a valuable addition to the bullpen.
In 2007, he pitched in 33 games for the Rangers, serving as a bridge from the starters to the back of the bullpen. He went 4-6 with a 5.16 ERA and was starting to earn the confidence of manager Ron Washington before his elbow started to hurt in July.

An MRI revealed ligament damage, and Eyre had surgery Aug. 27, 2007.
It has been almost 19 months since the surgery, and Washington hopes Eyre can pitch like he did in 2007.
"We never lost track of Willie Eyre," Washington said. "He worked hard to get back to the point where he can throw again. We've been impressed on how he can fill the strike zone up. Willie showed us that he can save innings. He came in and shut games down."

Eyre believes he's back to the point where he can be that pitcher again. He played in the Arizona Fall League last year. And while he posted 6.49 ERA, he struck out 33 batters in 26 1/3 innings and walked just eight.
He's been even better this spring, pitching in six games with a 1.50 ERA and seven strikeouts in his six innings.

Frank Francisco, C.J. Wilson and Eddie Guardado appear to be the only relievers to have spots secure in the bullpen. Eyre, who is already on the 40-man roster, would be able to provide something that that trio can't by pitching multiple innings.

"I know I can't control what everybody else does," said Eyre, who could start the season in the minors because he has options remaining. "I just have to get myself prepared and get ready to go. Whether they keep me here or decide to send me out, I'm prepared for it. I can take what they give me."

Eyre, whose brother Scott won a World Series ring pitching for Philadelphia last season, said he just wants a chance to return to the majors.
Preferably in Arlington.

"Surprise is really nice," said Eyre, who lives with his wife and three children in the area. "But it was hard when everyone left here last spring. You watch the guys on TV and watch their ups and downs. I just want to be part of that again."