Citizen Staff Writer
KEN BRAZZLE
kbrazzle@tucsoncitizen.com
Jason Jacome couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
The former Rincon/University High School and Pima Community College pitcher has come out of retirement to pitch for the independent Tucson Toros this year.
He was introduced Thursday with his teammates and the coaching staff at Hi Corbett Field.
“I am not out here to try to get back to the big leagues,” Jacome, 38, said. “I am here to pitch a little and help the team win, and help some of the younger guys learn some things from me. If I get the opportunity to go somewhere else, I will take it.”
Jacome pitched for the New York Mets, Kansas City and Cleveland in the major leagues. After being released by Cleveland in 1998, he bounced around the minors and the Mexican League for a few seasons. He also played in Japan.
“When I stopped playing, I kinda felt that I was done and had played long enough,” Jacome said. “Once I found out about the Toros coming here, there was a chance for me to play in my hometown. There is an opportunity for me to get out and let my kids see me play.”
Jacome has four children ranging from 7 months to 7 years old.
Tucson manager Tim Johnson said Jacome’s experience and knowledge will be valuable.
“He’s going to do nothing but help,” Johnson said. “He knows how to help younger kids and he’s going to bring some big-league experience when he’s out there. He’s going to be a big voice on the bench. I am excited about that.”
Jacome is anxious to see the skill level of the Golden Baseball League players.
“The caliber of the players I’ve seen are at least Double A or Triple A,” Jacome said. “There are a lot of good arms pitchingwise.”
Jacome went 10-18 in 106 career games in the majors, with a 5.34 ERA.
It has been 11 years since Jacome last pitched in the big leagues. He still has the confidence that he can get back there.
“Even when I got done playing, I felt like I could pitch in the big leagues,” he said. “I still feel like that today. It’s just a matter of opportunity. You never know.”
New Toros revealed
The Toros introduced 17 players, including four former major leaguers, Thursday.
Nine pitchers and eight position players were featured at a news conference at Hi Corbett Field.
The ex-big leaguers are pitchers Jacome, Lorenzo Barcelo, Emiliano Fruto and infielder Jim Rushford.
Others on the roster are Blake Eager, Danny Greenwalt, Ronny Lopez, Eric Schaler, Mark Rosen, Toby Nordman, Dustin Yount, Skip Adams, Frank Gonzalez, Luis Apodaca, Dylan Parzyk, Curt Miaso and Armando Moran.
Moran graduated from Rincon in 2005. Yount is the son of two-time American League MVP Robin Yount.
TOROS OPENER
Chico (Calif.) at Tucson, 7 p.m. Thursday, May 21, Hi Corbett Field. Tucson will host 44 games this season, which runs through Aug. 31.