IMPROBABLE DREAM COMES TRUE EL CAMINO REAL HIGH ALUM BIRKINS GETS SHOT WITH ORIOLES.Byline: HEATHER GRIPP Staff Writer The prospect of Kurt Birkins Kurt Daniel Birkins (born August 11, 1980 in West Hills, California) is a relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles. Birkins made his major league debut on May 4, 2006. Birkins first pitched at UCLA for one season before taking a year off. being in the major leagues this season was so improbable that Birkins figured the call to his manager's office was just a joke. ``I didn't think he was serious,'' Birkins recalled. ``Scott (Rice) and I were watching a Laker playoff game Noun 1. playoff game - one game in the series of games constituting a playoff game - a single play of a sport or other contest; "the game lasted two hours" playoff - any final competition to determine a championship in the clubhouse when the coach called me into the office. I thought it was a joke and wanted to go back to watching the game.'' The promotion was no joke, and two months later the former El Camino Real El Camino Real (Spanish for The Royal Road or The King's Highway) was the name of a series of pre-automobile highways linking the various New World colonies of Spain:
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. . After suffering his first loss Friday against the Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From to the present, the Braves have played in Turner Field. , Birkins was 2-1 with a 3.47 ERA in 23 relief appearances. Not bad for someone who seriously contemplated retiring from baseball a couple of years ago, hadn't pitched above Double-A before this season and wasn't invited to the major-league spring training camp. ``I've always dreamed of being a baseball player,'' said Birkins, a 25- year-old left-hander who also played at UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX and Pierce College In 2006 the Library won a national Excellence award. Academics Pierce College offers associate's degrees, mainly in the arts and sciences. There are also certificate programs in early childhood education, social services, dental hygienist, and others. before signing with the Orioles as a 33rd-round draft pick. ``My parents said I was swinging a bat before I could walk. It was in my blood. ``But there were a few times I thought maybe I should hang it up and get a real job. I'm glad I didn't. I'm glad I stuck it out. ``This year's gone better than I ever anticipated. I just wanted to start the year off well wherever I was going. I wasn't even thinking about being here. It's amazing what confidence will do for you. The last couple years I spent in A ball, I really struggled and was doubting myself.'' Birkins, who led the Carolina League The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic region of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that in losses in 2003 and last year went 7-11 in his first season at Double-A, couldn't have asked for a bigger confidence booster than the one provided from his first month in the big leagues. Birkins made his major- league debut May 4 and held Texas to one hit with onestrikeout in 2 1/3 innings. Two days later in Boston, he struck out four and allowed just one hit in two innings. That included back-to-back strikeouts of Red Sox sluggers David Ortiz and Manny Manny may refer to: In nobility:
Birkins did not allow a run in his first four appearances and surrendered only threehits and one run in nine appearances in May. His first win came May 28 with several friends and family in attendance at Angel Stadium as he posted two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings of hitless relief. His ERA ballooned when he surrendered four earned runs Wednesday, but a 0.86 ERA as late as June 15 prompted speculation of a move to a starting rotation in need of help. Birkins primarily was a starter in the minors, but said he is happy to fill any role the team needs. ``I don't care as long as I'm here, playing at the highest level I can,'' he said. ``I'm having a blast. I'm still soaking it all in.'' heather.gripp@dailynews.com (818) 713-3607 CAPTION(S): photo, 2 boxes Photo: Baltimore reliever Kurt Birkins, an ECR/Pierce product, has delivered for the Orioles. Doug Pensinger/Getty Images Box: (1) LOCALS IN THE MAJORS (2) LOCALS IN THE MINORS |
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