Chuck Tiffany comes home, re-signs with Dodgers
Above: Chuck Tiffany is back with the Dodgers.
Who said you can't go home again?
Chuck Tiffany is proof you can.
The former Charter Oak High School pitching sensation, who signed with the Dodgers out of high school, is back with his hometown team, and child-hood favorite, after re-signing with the Dodgers over the weekend.
Tiffany, who was dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays organization in 2006 as part of a four-player deal, was recently released by the Rays. He's been assigned to the Dodgers spring training complex in Arizona to determine what affiliate he will join this season.
"It's a great feeling," said Tiffany, who was area player of the year in 2003 before being selected by the Dodgers in the second round of MLB's First-Year Player Draft. "I appreciate them giving me another chance. It's awesome."
It's been a long road back for Tiffany, once one of the crown jewels of the Dodgers' minor league system. He threw a perfect game during his first season in the minors, finishing with 141 strike outs in 99 innings. His first go around with the Dodgers saw him win 16 of 25 decisions while striking out 275 in 220 innings.
He was then dealt to the Rays organization in January 2006, traded along with Edwin Jackson for relievers Danny Baez and Lance Carter.
He suffered a torn rotar cuff in May, 2006 and did not return to the mound until 2008, where he was 1-2 with a 3.46 ERA for Tampa Bay's Vero Beach single-A affiliate.
Tiffany was then released in March before re-signing with the Dodgers over the weekend. But he's back and healthy and ready to pitch again.
"I don't know what their plans for me are," Tiffany said. "I just know I'm here ready to compete. I'm happy to get the ball and pitch."
HEARD CHUCKIES FIRST ASSIGNMENT WAS ONE INNING AGAINST BREWERS AFF.7 PITCHES 3 OUTS.A NICE WAY TO START CHUCKIE,GOODLUCK CHUCK!
great news I watched this young man just dominate from the time he was old enough to throw a baseball Ive seen alot of baseball and chuck was the most competitive kid we ever faced and a great kid as well best of luck to chuckie oh and 1 more thing he was also the best hitter we ever faced so the package deal he is.