By BARRY LEWIS Sports Writer on Jan 30, 2013, at 2:47 PM Updated on 1/30 at 2:58 PM
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Former Oral Roberts University pitcher Jeremy Hefner isn't treating his preparations for spring training any differently than he has in his previous pro seasons.
Hefner, 26, broke into the majors last season and was 4-7 with a 5.09 ERA for the New York Mets, splitting his time between the bullpen and starting rotation as he shuttled back-and-forth between New York and Triple-A Buffalo.
"There's not a big difference, except I have more of an opportunity to make a big league roster," Hefner said recently at the Field of Dreams Baseball Banquet in Claremore.
"My mindset is a little different although it's just been another offseason for me. It's exciting. With (Cy Young Award winner R.A.) Dickey being traded away, there might be an opportunity there (in the starting rotation)."
Hefner ended the 2012 season with two stellar starts after a horrible start on Sept. 20 when he allowed seven runs without recording an out. But he bounced back on Sept. 26 with seven shutout innings against Pittsburgh and also won in the season finale on Oct. 3 when he gave up only two runs in 7 1-3 innings at Miami.
"To have two starts at the end like that makes the offseason a lot of fun," Hefner said. "You prove to them and to yourself again that you can do it, you do belong here.
"I did OK last year in the big leagues, I wasn’t outstanding. I haven't been given a role going into spring training, but hopefully I will have a good spring and excel and we’ll see what happens."
Another highlight in 2012 was becoming the first pitcher in 10 years to hit a homer in his first major league win on May 29 against Philadelphia.
"Pitching in the majors was everything I had ever dreamed of and hopefully I’ll be able to make more memories this year," Hefner said.
Last month, Hefner had his uniform number 1 retired by Perkins-Tryon High School
"That was unbelievable," Hefner said. "When I got the call about it after the season was over, it was like, `you're kidding me.' It was icing on the cake. I was so overwhelmed."
-- Barry Lewis
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