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Monday, July 05, 1999 By Paul Meyer, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
After 5 1/2 years in the minor leagues, Jimmy Anderson Jr. pitched in the major leagues yesterday.
Jimmy Anderson Sr. would have been proud.
And maybe he is.
Anderson and his father were very close throughout Anderson's formative years.
"He was pretty much my coach until pro ball," Anderson said yesterday.
"He pretty much taught me everything I know."
The Andersons had a dream that Jimmy would pitch in the major leagues.
When he signed with the Pirates as a ninth-round draft pick in 1994 out of Western Branch High School near Norfolk, Va., Anderson had made the first step.
And when he reached Class AAA Calgary in 1997, he'd made a huge second step.
However, that August, Jimmy Anderson Sr. died. He was in his early 40s.
Last season, Anderson split time between Class AAA Nashville's starting rotation and its bullpen. His career seemed at a crossroads. Either the left-hander would improve his control or languish in the minor leagues and never get to the big leagues.
Anderson improved his control this season, walking only 31 batters in 109 2/3 innings.
He also was 11-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 17 starts. After 2 1/2 seasons in Class AAA, he was as ready to fulfill the dream he shared with his father as he could be.
And when the Pirates placed left-hander Jeff Wallace on the disabled list Saturday, the Andersons realized their dream.
Saturday morning, Anderson boarded a plane in Seattle for the non-stop flight to the major leagues.
"My dad was the first person I thought of," Anderson said. "This was always what we worked so hard for.
"I think he knew. And I think he was happy for me."
In the seventh inning yesterday, Anderson became the 1,500th Pirate to appear in a major-league game.
In his first inning in the big leagues, Anderson escaped a bases-loaded jam by getting Jeromy Burnitz to ground to first base. In his second inning, he got three ground-ball outs, brushing off a two-out single by Alex Ochoa.
Jimmy Anderson Sr. would have been proud.
And maybe he is.
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