Meyer was the losing pitcher in Sunday's 7-6, 10-inning defeat to the Phillies in the regular-season finale at Citizens Bank Park.

"I'm upset with the loss, and it's not the way I wanted to end the final game, but it's been a good season, and I will build off the positives," Meyer said as he walked toward the team bus.

Meyer battled shoulder problems earlier in his career and never had the effectiveness as a starting pitcher that he had hoped for.

He had brief major-league trials with Atlanta and Oakland before Florida claimed Meyer off waivers from the A's after the 2008 season.

Far from assured of earning a spot on the Marlins' roster, Meyer made the team out of spring training and never looked back.

This season, the 28-year-old Meyer appeared in 71 games, going 3-2 with a 3.09 ERA. He struck out 56 in 581/3 innings and registered two saves.

"It's been everything I was hoping for and more," Meyer said. "I found myself on a good talented young team. I was able to fit in and pitched well."

Now Meyer can take a well-deserved rest after helping the Marlins to an 87-75 record.

He said the rest won't be for too long, probably no more than a month. During this off-season, he will return to South Jersey for a while, but he is also renting a place in Jupiter, Fla., near the Marlins' spring-training facility.

A year ago, Meyer played winter baseball in the Dominican Republic. This year instead, he will be on a regular training program.

"The season is 71/2 months, including spring training, and the wear and tear on your body is tough," he said. "You have to let your body recuperate and build it back together."

Meyer said he had found a niche in relieving, and he enjoyed and appreciated being able to play an entire season in the major leagues.

Though this will be a much more relaxing off-season for Meyer, he insists that complacency won't set in. Meyer realizes that there is intense competition just to make a major-league roster and that there are plenty of pitchers out there who would like his job.

So he will continue to work diligently but also have the confidence that comes with performing so well during an entire season.

"Last year, I was basically fighting for a spot and wasn't sure of my role," he said. "Knowing now that I had a successful year gives you the kind of peace of mind that you can pitch at this level and, hopefully, for years to come."

Many times when watching professional sports, the fan doesn't realize what it took the athletes to get to that point. Meyer has persevered through a lot and has reaped the rewards, showing not only great athletic ability but also the type of mental toughness needed to perform so well at such a difficult job.