Willy Taveras sat in front of his stall in the home team's clubhouse Friday afternoon with a smile as wide as ever.
He joked with his teammates, put his uniform on and got ready to take the field at Kino Stadium as part of the Yaquis de Obregon for the Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta.
This, the former big leaguer hopes, is where the great comeback story of Willy Taveras begins.
"I want to play as well as I can because then I'd have a chance to get back to the major leagues," Taveras said. "I know I can still help a big-league club."
Taveras has been off the baseball map, not playing any competitive baseball in 2012.
In 2011, Taveras put together a solid campaign for Colorado Springs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, and hit .302 over 97 games with 32 extra-base hits.
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He thought for sure he would get picked up by some big-league organization and get a shot in spring training.
How could major-league teams pass up on a then 29-year-old, who in 2008 stole 68 bases and three years before that was the runner-up for the National League rookie of the year award with the Houston Astros?
Well, here's how.
Taveras was searching for a job after the 2011 season and was waiting for a call from his agent. He never heard anything. Then three weeks before spring training began he was informed that his agent's company had fallen apart.
He couldn't reach his representative and had no one working for him to find a job.
"I stayed ready," Taveras said. "I stayed training every day and was waiting to hear something, but I never did."
Taveras reached out to friend Albert Pujols, who had his agent, Dan Lozano, contact a few teams on Taveras' behalf. Still, nothing happened for him.
So Taveras stayed in his offseason home in Houston and continued to work out. In fact, he would work out at Minute Maid Park in Houston with Astros strength and conditioning coach Gene Coleman before the rest of the team showed up for that night's game.
Taveras had to sign an insurance waiver that allowed him to work out with Coleman on Astros property.
He was willing to do anything he could to get back to the majors.
The extra workouts with Coleman didn't help either. Taveras never got a call and actually ended up attending three Astros games this season as a fan with his 2-year-old son.
In September, lined up with a new agent, Taveras ramped up his search again. He started lower this time and called former teammate Alfredo Amezaga, who used to play for Obregon.
He asked if Amezaga could help him get a spot on the Mexican Pacific League team and Amezaga did.
Taveras, a native of the Dominican Republic, arrived in Tucson on Tuesday and played center field on Thursday, wearing his traditional No. 3.
He got a hit and, of course, promptly stole second base.
He's 30 years old now and said he's as healthy as ever. The former member of the Astros, Rockies, Reds and Nationals knows he still has the skills and speed to play at the game's highest level.
"I couldn't find a job, so here I am," Taveras said. "Hopefully, I can open some eyes for next year and get back to the big leagues. But first it's take care of business in Mexico.
"If it all doesn't work out for me, I'll pray for another door to open."
Taveras and his Obregon teammates will play Hermosillo tonight at 7 at Kino Stadium.
2012 Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta
Details
• When: Today and Sunday
• Where: Kino Stadium
• Tickets: www.tucsonpadres.com or (520) 434-1367
Remaining schedule
Today
• Mazatlan vs. Culiacan, 4 p.m.; Hermosillo vs. Obregon, 7 p.m.
Sunday
• San Diego Padres Future Stars vs. Mazatlan, 1 p.m.; Los Angeles Dodgers Future Stars vs. Hermosillo, 4 p.m.
