Andino Hoping to Make Big Leagues

[JJ]

Robert Andino is a play away. A play similar to the one in the first inning of Sunday's 5-4 Grapefruit League win over the Cardinals and Andino would be a starting major league shortstop.

Superstar Hanley Ramirez collided with catcher Yadier Molina trying to score from first on a double. After writhing in pain for a while with a jammed an ankle, Ramirez limped back to the dugout and later took his spot at short in the bottom of the inning.

A rolled ankle or a strained hamstring and Andino would be in there. That's of little consolation for Andino, who for the past three seasons has been afforded sips of the majors when what he craves is a long gulp.

"I'm not worried about that," said Andino, who turns 24 next month and appears bound for a third season at Triple-A Albuquerque. "I just want to play in the big leagues like everybody else. Whatever I have to do, wherever I have to be at, I want to get there and stay there."

A Miami native and 2002 second-round pick out of Miami Southridge, Andino doesn't romanticize making it with his hometown team. Andino, who still makes his home in south Miami-Dade, has contemplated leaving the area.

Sean Taylor, the former University of Miami and Washington Redskins safety who was slain at his South Miami home, was a childhood friend of Andino's. They were enrolled at Richmond Heights Junior High together and would cross paths on occasion.

Andino attended Taylor's memorial service at Florida International University.

"I was working out in the morning and I heard it on the radio," said Andino, the father of two kids, ages 4 and 22 months. "He was trying to change. He started going to bible studies, had a baby girl. …

"I don't like it anymore. I've got my kids. Miami is getting too bad. It's crazy."

Andino can choose another residence, but he has little control over where he plays.

"I just have to keep showing them what I can do and that's it," he said. "God has a plan, leave it up to him. Whatever happens, it's meant to be. That's how I see it."

Source

[Ramp]

so weird that he's still just 24

[Jewb]

He was there....he was there.