But What I Really Am... Is a Starter!: A Brief History of Aaron Heilman

Poor Aaron Heilman.The former Notre Dame phenom just can't catch a break, can he? First he comes to the Mets a highly-touted right hander, a first-round draft pick and the future of the Mets' rotation.In spite of his college success, the Mets, ever wise when it comes to developing young talent, decide to alter his delivery, eliminating his sidearm style in favor of an over-the-top motion.Heilman, always a starter throughout his collegiate and minor league career, breaks through to the big league club in spite of questionable minor league credentials. His major league debut comes on the same day as another former top Met prospect, Scott Kazmir. Kazmir shines, Heilman gets shelled.In spite of The Game (a one-hit masterpiece against the Marlins that would fuel blogosphere starter/reliever debates for years to come), the Mets commit to using Heilman as a starter. Each offseason he asserts over and over that he's really a starting pitcher.Before the 2006 season, the Mets give...