Jogging out of the bullpen on September 8, 2004, Aaron Rakers wasn’t nervous to take the mound.

As he puts it: “I’ve thrown a ball almost my whole life, pitched in front of decent crowds, so I was just happy to be there.”

But, this wasn’t just any mound.  It was the hill at Camden Yards.

Rakers appeared in three games for the Baltimore Orioles that year.   The third game was against a Boston Red Sox team that would go on to win the World Series.

In the top of the seventh, Rakers struck out Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek and caught first baseman Kevin Youkilis looking.  With a strong showing like that, you’d think Rakers assured himself a spot in the Baltimore bullpen in 2005, but that didn’t happen.

“I was a little satisfied that I made it there,” The newest York Revolution reliever said. “Now I wanted to prove that I could stay there.”

Rakers spent most of the next season in Triple-A, where he struck out 92 in 77 innings.  Even with the stellar numbers, his next call-up didn’t come until early August.

“The Orioles had a lot of veteran guys that year so it was hard to find a spot for me,” Rakers said. “They were tired of finishing in fourth and I hardly had any (major league) experience.”

In 10 games for the Birds in 2005, Rakers posted a 3.29 ERA with 11 strikeouts and just three walks.  He also picked up his first big-league win, a 2.1 inning appearance against the New York Yankees.

Also during that 2005 season, Rakers arm started to hurt.  He thought it was tendonitis and figured it was nothing serious.  That off-season it was discovered that Rakers had a torn labrum.  That meant pitching at all in 2006 was out of the question.

The Orioles let Rakers go and he eventually landed with the San Diego Padres last year.  Same situation – no room for him in the major – and they only called him up for one game.

“The Padres had a lot of extra-inning games and so they brought me up to just throw an inning to give some of their guys rest.  They also had a bullpen of all right-handers so I kind of was the odd man out when they wanted a lefty.”

This spring, Rakers went to camp with the Houston Astros, but again got released.  Working out at Camden Yards this off-season, the Orioles recommended he try the Atlantic League.

“I’ve heard good things about the league and that it’s a good stepping stone back to the majors,” Rakers said. “I feel a lot better and felt I pitched well this spring, so I’m ready to go.”

The 31-year-old knows York manager Chris Hoiles, as well as pitching coach Tippy Martinez, both former Orioles, and is looking forward to working under the two men this year.

Unlike some teams, the Revolution have plenty of room for Rakers.  As long as he pitches well, you can bet they won’t be sending him anywhere but back to the majors.