Anderson eyes spot on Phillies pitching staff

DUNEDIN, Fla. - Every fairy tale has to start somewhere. Matt Anderson's once-upon-a-time moment might have come in an otherwise forgettable early exhibition game at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

The 34-year-old righthander, who hadn't pitched in the major leagues since 2005 or organized baseball since 2008, came in to begin the top of the eighth yesterday and retired the side. According to the scoreboard radar, his fastball hit 95 mph.

"It was totally awesome. You can't put it into words what I'm feeling right now," he said after the Phillies' 6-3 win over the Blue Jays. "But it's something I've gone to bed the last 2 years thinking about. And it finally came around. It felt great."

Anderson has experienced the highest highs. In 1997, he was the first player selected in the draft. His career began a steady ascent.

He's also gone through the lowest of the lows. He tore a muscle in his armpit in May 2002. His career went into steady decline until he found himself out of baseball entirely. Coaching his kids in Little League was as close to the game as he got.

He never abandoned the thought of making a comeback, though. So he moved to Phoenix and began working out at Fischer Sports. His fastball began to come back. Phillies scout Del Unser saw him and urged the Phillies to sign him to a minor league contract.

He's in the minor league camp, but was invited to make the short bus trip yesterday and ended up retiring the side in order. He didn't exactly face a Murderers' Row. Moises Sierra, who played last year in the Gulf Coast Rookie League and Class A Dunedin, flied out. Non-roster invitee A.J. Jiminez grounded out. Non-roster invitee Travis D'Arnaud struck out.

For Anderson, though, it felt like getting Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez in the bottom of the ninth at Yankee Stadium.

His unorthodox, maximum-effort delivery might have raised some eyebrows.

"But he got 'em out, didn't he?" noted Charlie Manuel.

The manager and pitching coach Rich Dubee will reserve judgment, of course. It's only one outing against players ticketed for Double A at best this season.

Still, there are openings in the Phillies' bullpen. And Anderson has his eyes set on one of them.

"My expectation and my goal is to make this team out of spring training. That's the only thing that's on my mind. That's my goal, and I plan on doing everything I can to do that," he said. "I'm really excited about where I'm at. I want to make the most of every opportunity I can get."

He also understands that, if he does make it, it will be a real Cinderella story.

"Because I've been out of the game for a couple years. I kept my body in shape the whole time, and I always knew that I could do it. I just had to. I really feel I've got a lot left in me," he said.

"Now people are coming out of the woodwork, because I had previous success when I played with Detroit. I'm getting fan mail again. They're wishing me the best. It's cool, man." *