Jesse Orosco recalls memorable moments from his career.(Turn Back The Clock)(Interview)

WHEN THE 47-YEAR-OLD LEFT-HANDER Jesse Orosco retired in the spring of 2004 after 24 years and a record 1,252 game appearances, he said, "I just don't feel the fire anymore."

Since he made the decision only after weighing an offer from the Diamondbacks for a 25th season, he was unaware that his last appearance would be his final pitch at the time he threw it. Perhaps that's why, looking back, he remembered his first day in the big leagues more vividly than his last.

It was opening day 1979, the Mets at Chicago. The Santa Barbara native had never been so cold.

"It was 75 all winter in California. Then it was 90 during spring training in Florida. And here I am and it's 17 degrees and the wind is blowing 45 miles an hour. I was so cold I was standing next to the heater in the dugout, so close my stirrup caught on fire. Somebody yelled, 'Hey' and I looked and jumped. The sock was singed. I had to go in and change."

The Mets led 10-3 when the Cubs threatened in the ninth. Mets manager Joe Torre sent the rookie to the bullpen to warm up. In Wrigley Field, the bullpen is down the line in front of the stands.

"I was all pumped up. Fans were screaming at me, 'Who the heck are you?' I had no name on my back. I only threw about five pitches and I was standing there watching what was going on and listening to the fans screaming at me. The bullpen coach, Rube Walker, said, 'Are you ready?' I said, 'Yeah.'

"The Cubs scored three runs and had a man on second with two outs and Bill Buckner at bat and they sent me it: The count got to 3-and-2 and I threw a fastball. Buckner didn't make good contact and popped it up to right field. But Elliott Maddox wound up catching it at the wall. I gasped, 'Are all the ballparks this small?'