Free Web Hosting Provider - Web Hosting - E-commerce - High Speed Internet - Free Web Page
Search the Web

When Marcus Giles arrived at Spring Training this year, Atlanta Braves first-base coach Glen Hubbard asked him what he wanted to accomplish before the regular season.

"I'm here to make the team," Giles said.

That's the way it's been for Giles his whole life. He has always been the kid that  was too small or too slow or just not good enough. Therefore, the second baseman, who was taken in the 53rd round of the 1996 draft, had to develop a fighting attitude to prove he belonged.

"I've heard it my whole life," Giles said. "You just got to let it go in one ear and go out the other."

That's what made his entrance into the Majors and proving that he belonged even sweeter last year. He had finally proved all of the critics wrong.

"You could tell from the first time you saw him that he played with a lot of passion and desire," Bobby Cox said. "He was just a determined kid."

In the minor leagues, Giles produced great offensive numbers. But the theory always was that his glove was not good enough for the Majors.

"I knew he was good enough when I saw him hit in the minors," Hubbard said. "I told him that if you can hit like that you can make it."

Hubbard, who played second base for the Braves from 1978 to 1987, knew that with Giles' determination and work ethic, he could help him improve his defense. Since being able to work with Giles on a daily basis, Hubbard has seen dramatic improvement.

"I think we make a mistake by not videotaping kids in the minors," Hubbard said. "If you took a look at him in the minors and see him now, it's a different player. His motions were robotic in his early years. Now, he plays the game loose."

Giles might be loose on the field, but he realizes that he is just an injury away from losing his job on the field. That's why he was somewhat worried about a groin injury he suffered early in camp. He missed a few games but wanted to get back on the field as quickly as possible.

"There's a fine line between fighting for a job and keeping your job," Giles said. "But now when you come into camp expected to be the Braves starting second baseman, you have to be smart and not risk anything. Your teammates want you to be ready on Opening Day."

This will be the first year that Giles actually spends Opening Day where he has always fought to be. But he says he'll never lose the fighting attitude that helped him get where he wanted.

"You can never take anything for granted," Giles said. "All I know is that when I come to the ballpark I'm going to be on time and give 100 percent. I know that I have to do that to keep my job."