Resop's mission: Stay in the bigs

What's next after you've realized your biggest dream?

Making sure you get to live it out again.

That's the scenario facing Barron Collier graduate Chris Resop as he heads into spring training with the Florida Marlins one year after making his major-league debut.

"It's not (just) a matter of getting there," the relief pitcher said. "It's staying there. This is my living. This is my career. This is what I want to do the rest of my life. You keep working hard every day to stay there now."

Resop joined catcher Josh Willingham and pitchers Travis Bowyer, Sergio Mitre and Scott Tyler on Tuesday as the Marlins caravan traveled through Naples. The five teammates handed out memorabilia to pediatric patients at North Collier Hospital and signed autographs at the Bank United on Hammocks Cove.

The caravan stop represented a homecoming for Resop.

As he walked along the hospital, he ran into one of his former Little League coaches. Minutes later, he introduced himself to a child who now plays in the same youth league that once included Resop.

He's come a long way since those childhood days in Naples.

Resop, 23, reached the major leagues last summer and made 15 relief appearances with the Marlins. The 6-foot-3 right-hander has a legitimate chance to start the 2006 season on the big-league roster.

"I'm going there fighting for a job," Resop said, "and I'm going to get one."

Resop believes he will benefit from his late-season role in the majors last year. It's an experience he still can't forget.

"Words really can't describe the feeling you have," Resop said. "You're honored. You're proud of yourself. You're happy. You're nervous. All those feelings come over you the same time. It's awesome. It's been my dream my whole life."

Resop's major-league debut gave him a sudden wake-up call.

He took the mound in a rainstorm last June and gave up four runs in two-thirds of an inning as the Marlins lost 9-1 to the Atlanta Braves. The poor weather made it difficult to grip the ball properly.

"He was thrown into a really tough spot," Willingham said. "He went into a game, and it was raining. It was terrible. It was just one of those situations. But he settled down. You can't help but think about where you are your first couple of (major-league games). I did it. It's one of those things that's tough to put behind you, but once you do and you play the game like it's a Double-A game, then you're fine. That's what he started doing later."

Resop finished the 2005 season with an 8.47 ERA that was skewed by four poor performances.

In four games, he gave up 14 earned runs in 2Ð innings. He allowed only two earned runs in 14Ò innings in his other 11 appearances.

Resop closed the season by pitching a scoreless inning in each of his last three appearances, allowing only one hit in the process. He also posted a perfect 2-0 record after being credited with wins in a 7-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sept. 10 and a 6-4 triumph over the Braves on Oct. 1.

The game balls from his first two career major-league wins are kept in cases that sit atop a shelf in Resop's home.

"I walk by them every day," Resop said. "I see them every day when I'm in the house. You still look at them and you still remember them. That's for sure."

Resop can't wait to add a few more souvenirs to his collection.