Click here to view original article - written by Portland Press Herald Staff Writer Steve Solloway

The back of Charlie Furbush's 2011 Topps baseball card notes the pertinent facts and statistics for the rookie pitcher who started his major league career last season with the Detroit Tigers and finished with the Seattle Mariners.

Height and weight. Draft date and birthdate. His South Portland birthplace. A sentence identifying Furbush as an alumnus of Louisiana State University. No mention of his two years at St. Joseph's College.

No tip of the cap to a small Maine college that rarely gets a moment in the sport's national spotlight.

"It doesn't faze me," said Will Sanborn, the long-time baseball coach at St. Joseph's. "We're not in it to turn out big league players. When someone does make it, we take a lot of pride in that. The baseball community in Maine knows Charlie played here. That's good enough for me.

"Charlie's a Maine kid to the core. He hasn't changed. He knows where he's from."

That's one reason why Furbush returned to Maine for the winter instead of working on his conditioning and pitching mechanics in the warmth of Arizona, where he'll go next month for the start of the Mariners' spring training. Family, friends, and the idea of giving back are important to him.

It's also easy to disappear in Maine, although that changes tonight. Furbush will be a guest at the Portland Sea Dogs Hot Stove Dinner, joining new Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine and Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Sure, Valentine will be peppered by questions and in the focus of every cell phone camera. And Saltalamacchia will be appreciated for some of his timely hits during the better part of Boston's 2011 season.

The warmer smiles will be directed at Furbush, the 25-year-old hometown boy living everyone's dream. He'll respond with that broad smile of his own.

"I guess I'll have to dust off my public speaking," said Furbush after a throwing session Thursday. "It will be fun. I saw (Valentine, most recently an ESPN analyst) when he came to the Tigers spring training last year. But I've never talked with him."

Sunday, Furbush returns to the St. Joseph's campus for the auction and meet-and-greet that raises money for the baseball team's annual spring trip to Florida. Call it a family reunion.

"There's been a lot more buzz because he's going to be there," said Sanborn, who was a guest on three radio stations recently to talk about Furbush and St. Joseph's baseball program. "There's still that little boy in Charlie. I think that's what helps him overcome his challenges. Setbacks don't bother him. He's learned to navigate the tough business of baseball.

"Some will tell you, you have to have a certain cockiness to succeed. Charlie has an inner confidence he doesn't show until it's time."

Furbush showed poise and the ability to get outs in early relief appearances after his call-up last summer to the Tigers. He was moved into the starting rotation, then included in a trade to Seattle and finished the season with a 4-10 record. His left arm, which underwent Tommy John surgery in 2009, felt fine, he said.

No fatigue, no out-of-the-ordinary soreness. If some see a 4-10 record as a glass half empty, Furbush sees the opposite. He gained experience, he says. So much, he can't wait for spring training and the start of a new season. He's expected to contend for a spot in Seattle's starting rotation.

In so many ways he's still the kid from South Portland, still working with Andrew Wood, his catcher from Little League through their days together at St. Joseph's. Still respectful and appreciative of the faith and encouragement he got from Sanborn.

"St. Joseph's does seem like a long time ago," said Furbush. "In another way, it's all happened so fast."

After Furbush's sophomore season at St. Joseph's, Sanborn helped place him on a team in the Cape Cod League, where Furbush quickly opened eyes. When LSU came calling, offering Furbush the opportunity to pitch at the Division I level, Sanborn tried to convince him to stay at St. Joseph's.

"I couldn't push that too hard," said Sanborn. "Charlie knew what was best for him."

Furbush will enjoy himself tonight at the Sea Dogs Hot Stove Dinner. Sunday, his smile will light up the St. Joseph's dining hall. Coming home does that.