Snelling ('00) is still one of my all-time favorite Timber Rattlers. He's bounced around quite a bit since leaving the Mariners. He may still do a bit of bouncing. USS Mariner has a pointer to this story about the Aussie at phillyburbs.com.
The way it opens is typical Snelling:
Off the bat, the drive to left-center looked like extra bases, and no one could have blamed Phillies left fielder Chris Snelling for opting to play a carom off the wall and concede a double to Indians batter Ryan Garko.
After all, this was the ninth inning of a spring training game played on St. Patrick’s Day, an exhibition the Phillies were up two runs with nobody on base, and you’d think Snelling would be conservative in March baseball after enduring 13 surgeries in his 10-year career as a pro, eight on his left knee.
But playing it safe is never an option for Snelling, so he instinctively threw his body into harm’s way by racing back to the Bright House Field warning track and jumping and crashing into the wall.
His effort was worth it: Snelling made a great catch and escaped injury.
“The way I look at it is I’m nothing special,” Snelling said. “I don’t run fast or throw hard, and I don’t hit the ball far. I don’t do anything great. I’ve always played hard. That’s what has gotten me here, and I can’t tone it down.”
What is the main point of this article? Well, Snelling may have made the team or may be heading out to another team or may have made the team but will be heading out soon after the season starts. To the article!
The Phillies played their final spring game in Florida on Thursday, losing, 14-5, to the Detroit Tigers, then caught a flight to Philadelphia. Snelling was on the charter flight, but he had no idea where he’ll be Monday when the Phils open the regular season at home against Washington.
Snelling, who is out of options, was placed on waivers this week by the Phils. But until the waiver process plays out, Snelling remains a Phillie with a chance to be in Philadelphia for Monday’s game.
If Snelling clears waivers, which is likely, he could opt for free agency and sign with any team (unlikely), or remain in the Phillies’ organization and report to Triple-A Lehigh Valley (probable).But if the Phils find a taker this weekend for third baseman Wes Helms, Snelling would be a good bet to be on their Opening Day roster.
If he survives, Snelling’s stay probably would be short because closer Brad Lidge is expected to come off the disabled list a week from Saturday, and the Phils, who will start the season with 11 pitchers, quickly want to get to 12.
Here is a good primer on all the organizations Snelling has called home...no matter how brief:
Snelling has been in five organizations since the 2006 offseason. Two trades sent him from Seattle to Washington to Oakland last year, then after playing 30 games in 2007 he was claimed off waivers by Tampa Bay in October and promptly dealt to Philly for cash considerations in November.
That story was from March 28. That is the date of the last transaction on the Phillies site. I don't see him on their 40-man roster, but I do see TJ Bohn ('03) on that roster. Developing.
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