Speaking of Comebacks…Some Props for Mr. Tatis, Perhaps?

There wasn’t much reason to think Fernando Tatis would make his way onto a roster in 2008. For those who might not spend much time paying attention to National League baseball, or even those who do, it’s quite plausible you still wouldn’t have heard much about what Fernando Tatis is doing lately.

The stories of Josh Hamilton and Rick Ankiel are well-documented and deservedly so. The tale of Fernando Tatis is quite different, yet, in many ways, it’s just as hard to believe. Tatis has not only clawed his way back into baseball, but he’s managed to stick on a roster. The team? The New York Mets. Oh yea, and he’s one of the big reasons the Mets are one of the hottest teams in baseball.

Tatis is now playing leftfield for the current front-runners in the NL East — and playing it well. Over 54 games, Fernando is hitting .318 with seven home runs and 27RBI. Despite being a career infielder, he’s also playing a surprisingly adequate outfield. He’s even made a habit of clutch hitting, winning multiple games and tying Friday night’s game with a ninth-inning homer. Speaking of this past weekend, in a three-game set gainst the Cardinals, Tatis started every game and put up the following impressive numbers:

7-for-12, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4R, 4RBI

Not bad for a guy who barely played the last three years and started this season in the minors. Will Fernando Tatis keep it going? Who knows. The odds are probably not in his favor. We do know one thing. He’s playing hard. He’s playing loose. He’s playing well. He’s having fun. And seeing a player get another chance, and jump all over it, is pretty fun to watch too.