Then again, Simontacchi has already proven that he can handle the task, based on his journey from the Little League diamonds in Sunnyvale to the major league spotlight. From playing baseball on four continents to going through four minor league farm systems to completing a stint on the Italian national team, the 29-year-old has indeed experienced a little slice of everything.

Simontacchi's journey started when, as a scrawny 10-year-old, he joined the Sunnyvale Metro Cardinals, coached by Ray Johnson. By age 11, he was selected to pitch for the league's all-star team, which consisted mostly of 12-year-olds.

"He pitched one of the gutsiest games when we beat Campbell 7-6 to reach the District 44 championship game," said Johnson. "Campbell had beat him once before in the tournament, but that day, he dug down deep and pitched great. That was when I noticed he was one of those kids who had what it takes to go far."

As a 12-year-old, Simontacchi was hurling no-hitters, using a combination of a fastball with two slightly developed off-speed pitches—a curveball and a change-up. Of course it helped that his father John, a former Class AA player for the Pittsburgh Pirates, put extra time aside to hone his son's mechanics.

"I coached him along a little bit," said John. "I knew he had the talent. It was just a matter of time."

It didn't take long for Simontacchi's talent to ripen. He went on to become a multisport athlete at Fremont High School, where he earned several All-League honors on the baseball diamond. He then became a junior college All-American while at De Anza in 1994, before transferring to San Jose State.

He played one year for San Jose State and then transferred to Albertson College in Caldwell, Idaho. After putting together an impressive season on the mound, Simontacchi was drafted in 1996 by the Kansas City Royals.

"It was my dream like any other kid to make it into the major leagues, but I was never really one of those prospects," said Simontacchi. "I didn't think I'd get drafted, but then all of a sudden there I was."

After first being sent to the Florida Instructional League and then to the Royals' Class A team, the Lansing Lugnuts, Simontacchi learned that reaching the major leagues would not be a quick process.

"You think it's great when you are first drafted, but then you realize guys like you are a dime a dozen," said Simontacchi.

Simontacchi's stint with the Royals proved to be a brief one, as he was released after one season in Lansing. He then stayed in the Midwest and pitched for the Springfield Capitals of the independent Frontier League.

During this time, Simontacchi admits he found it difficult to deal with being a 24-year-old pitcher in an independent league.

"I was stupid and nearly threw everything I had away," said Simontacchi about his off-the-field actions. "Thinking back to some of the things I did when I was younger makes me cringe now."

Despite putting up respectable numbers for Springfield, Simontacchi still remained pessimistic about his future.

"You have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than getting to the major leagues out of this league," Simontacchi told The State Journal-Register in Springfield, Ill., in an article published on July 17, 1998.

Though Simontacchi would eventually prove his prediction wrong, the ensuing events seemed to add more support to his original claim. Simontacchi signed a contract to play in the Pittsburgh Pirates' minor league system, but was "lost in the shuffle" once the season ended.

After being released by his second major league team, Simontacchi contemplated quitting baseball. He traveled to Australia with a friend, where he installed sprinkler systems for a living and played recreational baseball on the weekends and at nights.

He then returned to Sunnyvale and began living at home with his parents while driving tow trucks for Cal West Towing.

"He never gave up on himself—that's what [my wife Debbie and I] are really proud of," said John. "I'd ask him if he wanted to look into working out in the real world, and he would say, 'No, I want to give it one more year.'"

"I didn't expect to make it into the big leagues," said Simontacchi. "I just kept playing baseball because it was fun and paid the bills and because someone kept giving me a jersey to wear."

The next jersey he was offered came from the Chico Heat in the Western League. Simontacchi figured he'd carry out what would be the last stint of his career before going back to school and getting a degree.

Except he never ended up pitching for Chico because his luck took a dramatic change for the better. A representative for the Rimini team in the Italian professional leagues saw Simontacchi's last name and called him up to ask if he wanted to pitch in Italy. Rimini paid Chico $500 for his rights, and Simontacchi departed for another final campaign.

"I didn't go to Italy to revive my career," said Simontacchi. "I just thought it'd be cool to go see Italy and the rest of Europe and have them pay me while I'm there."

But Simontacchi had to shelve his plans as a tourist because his 12-1 record and 1.71 ERA for Rimini earned him an invitation to play for the Italian national team in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

Simontacchi went 1-1 with a 1.17 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 15 and 1/3 innings for Italy, which prompted Team USA manager Tommy Lasorda to question whether anybody could hit his pitches.

Simontacchi saw his Olympic efforts rewarded when the Minnesota Twins signed him to a contract in 2001. He first played in the Venezuelan Winter League before pitching in Class AAA. However, he was once again cut at the end of the season.

After enjoying playing in Venezuela so much, Simontacchi made the trip again. He joined the Aragua Tigers and pitched under the supervision of former Giant Dave LaPoint.

"I was lights out—I led the league in ERA," said Simontacchi. "The biggest turning point was that I matured as both a person and a player during that time. I realized baseball was close to ending for me. And at the same time, I matured as a pitcher by realizing that I didn't have to throw 95 mph to get guys out."

LaPoint recommended the 28-year-old pitcher to the Cardinals, and Simontacchi then joined his fourth major league team. He opened the 2002 season in Class AAA Memphis, where he went 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA, before he was called up to fill a hole in the injury-plagued starting rotation.

"It all happened so quick," said Simontacchi. "It's like when you are walking with your head down and you look up and there it is—your dream of making the big leagues is finally right in front of you. I wasn't even really nervous about my first start. I was more anxious to get it over with."

Simontacchi's nerves certainly didn't show, judging by his two-run performance in seven innings of work against the Atlanta Braves in front of a packed house at Busch Stadium.

The right-hander proceeded to start out 5-0 before suffering his first defeat on June 23. By the end of his rookie season, Simontacchi boasted an 11-5 record.

And through it all, he's still remained close to his roots. The Cardinals pitcher lives with his parents in Santa Clara during the off season and also maintains a close relationship with his former Little League mananger.

What's more, Simontacchi has maintained a close relationship with his former Little League manager throughout his journey to the major leagues.

"Our bond is more about talking about the times and stuff happening outside of baseball rather than talking strategy," said Johnson.

Johnson said he feels honored to have done something to help his former player reach the major leagues, but turns the praise over to Simontacchi's two biggest fans—his parents.

"We knew he had a good head, and we backed him 100 percent," said John. "He saw the bad times, but those were good learning experiences for him. It makes you more thankful for where he is today, because you know that nothing was given to him. He earned it."

And as Simontacchi continues his second year with the Cardinals, sporting an 8-4 record (as of Aug. 6), he admits he cannot count his blessings too soon, regardless of his current role for the Cardinals.

"A lot of people think I have it made now, but nothing is guaranteed," said Simontacchi. "I don't know where I am going to be in a few years."

But no matter what challenges come his way, Simontacchi is sure of one thing—he'll be ready for them.