Cummings still going for it

Bulls hurler has one more thing to do: pitch in the majors

DURHAM -- Durham Bulls pitcher Jeremy Cummings has already crossed off most of the items on the to-do list for his minor league career. A no-hitter? Check. A spot on a minor league all-star team? Done.

One item that has yet to be marked off: pitching in the major leagues.

Cummings, 31, knows that each year he fails to land a guaranteed contract, the less likely his chances are. Now, he is ready to step away from the mound.

"Going into this year, I told my wife because we're having a baby that this was probably going to be my last year, unless one of three things happened: I was on someone's 40-man [roster], or if I have a guaranteed contract to Korea or Japan," Cummings said.

"I just kind of relaxed and hopefully things will work out to where I can get to the big leagues this year, but if not, hopefully Korea or Japan will come calling and I can get a contract. But if I don't get called up or go to Korea or Japan, I'm probably going to retire."

After being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1999, the West Virginia native has had an impressive record in the minors. In 2004, he earned a spot on the Southern League's all star team. And just last season, he had the outing of his career, throwing a no-hitter for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Yet Cummings began this season in Taiwan. When the opportunity to come back to the U.S. arose, he signed with the Bulls as a free agent.

After joining the team May 13, Cummings has had a torrid start, going 5-1 with a 2.17 ERA. He is an integral member of Durham's bullpen, which has a combined ERA of 3.93. Thanks to their strong performance, the Bulls are first in the South Division of the International League, leading Richmond by a half game.

But Cummings knows all too well that a strong start isn't enough to propel him to the major leagues. He knows that teams may be hindered from signing him because of his age.

"That's just part of baseball," he said. "If you have a guy who's just as good at 21, why would you pick a guy who's 31?"

With the possible end of his baseball career on the horizon, the pitcher has begun preparing to enter the business world. Once he completes his undergraduate degree in business administration online, Cummings hopes to eventually earn an MBA.

He doesn't find it difficult to imagine life after baseball.

"My parents and family don't like to hear it, but I've been playing for 10 years and nothing out of the ordinary has happened," Cummings said. "I can move on. Life isn't that short."

After all, there's more to life than a to-do list.