CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Before spring training began in February, Jeremy Cummings had made up his mind that this was going to be his last year in professional baseball.

After all, the former South Charleston High and West Virginia University pitcher had spent the previous nine seasons in the minor leagues without ever receiving a call up to the big leagues.

Cummings, however, might want to reconsider retirement. He was named Monday to the U.S. Olympic baseball roster for next month's Summer Games in Beijing, China.

"I just got the phone call this morning,'' said the 32-year-old Cummings via cell phone Monday evening from the Triple-A Durham Bulls' locker room. "I was running around trying to find a passport photo all morning and I've got to pitch tonight so I've been busy. It's just an honor making the team. You never know what's going to happen.''

"It was pretty awesome this morning when he told us,'' added Jeffery Slack, Cummings' stepfather, from his home Monday evening in South Charleston. "We were kind of surprised. He was pretty excited. He's been working hard all of his life. Maybe all of his hard work is going to pay off.''

The U.S. Olympic team named 23 of the 24 players to its roster last week. The San Francisco Giants called up left-handed pitcher Geno Espineli on Sunday, five days after he was named to Olympic team, opening up another roster spot. Former major league manager Davey Johnson will lead the U.S. Olympic squad.

"He's been in our discussion for several months now,'' said Paul Seiler, executive director and chief executive officer of USA Baseball, of Cummings. "He's been a guy that's absolutely been on our radar. His numbers speak for themselves. We know what he can do and we'll figure out what his role is once we get together.''

Since Cummings decided this year would be his last, it has turned out to be one of his best seasons. After getting released by the Toronto Blue Jays out of spring training, Cummings spent two weeks at home before traveling to Taiwan in search of a job.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound right-hander didn't have to wait long as the St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays came calling after about a month and in May, Cummings signed with the Rays. He was sent to the Durham (N.C.) Bulls, the Rays' Triple-A affiliate in the International League.

Cummings posted a 7-2 record with a 2.82 earned run average to earn a spot in last Wednesday's Triple-A All-Star Game in Louisville, Ky. He struck out two in one inning for the International League All-Stars.

In addition, Cummings, who was married last December, is expecting a child sometime in September.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Before spring training began in February, Jeremy Cummings had made up his mind that this was going to be his last year in professional baseball.

After all, the former South Charleston High and West Virginia University pitcher had spent the previous nine seasons in the minor leagues without ever receiving a call up to the big leagues.

Cummings, however, might want to reconsider retirement. He was named Monday to the U.S. Olympic baseball roster for next month's Summer Games in Beijing, China.

"I just got the phone call this morning,'' said the 32-year-old Cummings via cell phone Monday evening from the Triple-A Durham Bulls' locker room. "I was running around trying to find a passport photo all morning and I've got to pitch tonight so I've been busy. It's just an honor making the team. You never know what's going to happen.''

"It was pretty awesome this morning when he told us,'' added Jeffery Slack, Cummings' stepfather, from his home Monday evening in South Charleston. "We were kind of surprised. He was pretty excited. He's been working hard all of his life. Maybe all of his hard work is going to pay off.''

The U.S. Olympic team named 23 of the 24 players to its roster last week. The San Francisco Giants called up left-handed pitcher Geno Espineli on Sunday, five days after he was named to Olympic team, opening up another roster spot. Former major league manager Davey Johnson will lead the U.S. Olympic squad.

"He's been in our discussion for several months now,'' said Paul Seiler, executive director and chief executive officer of USA Baseball, of Cummings. "He's been a guy that's absolutely been on our radar. His numbers speak for themselves. We know what he can do and we'll figure out what his role is once we get together.''

Since Cummings decided this year would be his last, it has turned out to be one of his best seasons. After getting released by the Toronto Blue Jays out of spring training, Cummings spent two weeks at home before traveling to Taiwan in search of a job.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound right-hander didn't have to wait long as the St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays came calling after about a month and in May, Cummings signed with the Rays. He was sent to the Durham (N.C.) Bulls, the Rays' Triple-A affiliate in the International League.

Cummings posted a 7-2 record with a 2.82 earned run average to earn a spot in last Wednesday's Triple-A All-Star Game in Louisville, Ky. He struck out two in one inning for the International League All-Stars.

In addition, Cummings, who was married last December, is expecting a child sometime in September.

"Going into the season I planned on this being my last year,'' he said. "That might change with all these doors opening. Things happen when you pitch well. There's nothing really different. [I'm] just getting more outs.

"I'm probably a little bit more relaxed [with] no worries just going out there and having fun. Pitchingwise, I haven't changed much from what I've been doing my whole career. You go in day in [and] day out doing your same routine and I guess finally it all clicks for you.''

Cummings will head to San Jose, Calif., on July 28 for Olympic orientation where he will receive his Team USA uniform. The U.S. Olympic team will then return to Durham, N.C., and play three exhibition games against Canada on Aug. 1-4 before heading to Beijing on Aug. 5. The Olympic baseball competition will take place Aug. 13-23.

Cummings will also walk with other U.S. Olympic team members during the opening ceremonies. This year's selection to the U.S. Olympic team carries a little more prestige. This is the last time baseball will be an Olympic sport for the foreseeable future.

"I've dreamed of it when I was young of being an Olympic athlete,'' he said. "I never thought the opportunity would come.''

Seiler said he knew Cummings would be a great addition to Team USA after a meeting in his office several weeks ago.

"I was very impressed with his grasp that this just isn't something else I got a phone call on,'' Seiler said. "This is something special. I'm happy he made the team. I think there's a lot of character there. If we have a team of 24 Jeremy Cummings, we're going to be in good shape.''

After playing four years at WVU, Cummings was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 21st round of the 1999 amateur draft. He spent seven years with the Cardinals organization, then played in the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system in 2006 and the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays organizations in 2007. He owns a 68-54 record with a 3.86 ERA in 10 seasons in the minors.

"[Doors are opening] for some kind of reason,'' said Cummings, who has played in Triple-A the past three seasons. "I don't know if it's God's will, but they're happening.''

Reach Tommy R. Atkinson at 348-4811 or tatkin...@wvgazette.com.