[ MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ]
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chris Truby didn't adjust to the American League this year with the Detroit Tigers after playing for the Houston Astros and Montreal Expos in the National League. He became a free agent Oct. 15.
Chris Truby fell three games shy of a full season in the majors thanks to a rehab stint in the International League for a pulled rib cage muscle. Truby’s journey
interruptedBy Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.comHad the former Damien Memorial High School standout avoided the midseason injury, it would have marked the first time he stayed up with the big boys in his 10-year professional career.
The season started with a surprise when the Houston Astros traded the third baseman to the Montreal Expos. He was a starter from opening day and knew the Expos had traded for him as insurance at the hot corner.
The Expos needed a third baseman because they did not know when Fernando Tatis, their starter the year before, would return to action after having surgery on his left knee.
"It was tough leaving a place where you are comfortable," said Truby who had been with the Houston organization since signing as a nondrafted free agent in 1992.
"Initially, they thought Fernando would be out until the all-star break, but before you knew it, he was healthy," said Truby. "I got about 100 at-bats and then I was sitting."
Truby was hitting .257 for the Expos when he was traded again, this time to the Detroit Tigers on May 16 for infielder Jose Macias.
"Montreal did me a favor by sending me to Detroit," said Truby, who looked forward to playing every day again.
However, the move to the American League did not work out the way Truby had hoped. He became the Tigers' starting third baseman, played solid defense, but never got untracked at the plate. In 89 games for Detroit, he hit just .199, knocked in a meager 15 runs and spent most of the season batting ninth.
"I never could get comfortable there. I never felt good at the plate," Truby said. "I went to a park that was the biggest park I've ever seen in my life. I saw guys hit balls that should have been home runs or doubles and they were caught. I tried to become a slap hitter, but that's not what I am."
In September, the Tigers began auditioning for third basemen. The team outrighted Truby's contract to Toledo in the International League on Oct. 2 and he became a free agent Oct. 15.
"I'll be shopping around to see what is best for me," he said. "Basically, it's a lot of homework that you and your agent have to do. You sift through every team's roster and minor-league system and see where you might end up. There are teams that need a third baseman, but I don't want to be the fourth or fifth option. You want to go where you can move yourself up the list."
Truby has not reached a decision about possible teams, but did say he would like to play for someone near his Indiana home.
