Chris Colabello waited patiently for a phone call in early October that he'd been waiting for his entire life.

The Worcester Tornadoes outfielder anticipated possibly getting his contract purchased by the New York Mets, along with close friend and Tornadoes teammate Scott Grimes; at twenty-four and twenty-five (Grimes) years old they are not over the hill but are at an age where the urgency to get noticed is growing stronger.

"It's a time where a player really does need to make an impact," Colabello says. "I realize I'm getting older by the day."

In the end, Colabello would not be part of that deal, but true to everything that has been said of him he didn't let himself get down about it.

"I was happy for my friend, but I was really hoping that it would be the both of us," he says. He then adds, "My dad was probably more upset than me. Like when's it going to be your turn? He was very happy for Scott, but he just wants me to get my chance."

Like Grimes he is also one of the breed of players not drafted out of college, so he went to work in the Independent League hoping to get noticed by a Major League club. Major League baseball today has embraced Indy ball more with most clubs assigning scouts to check out the leagues for overlooked or developing talent.

Colabello was part of a 2008 Tornadoes lineup that set franchise and league records - it was also the best season of his professional career. In 357 at-bats Colabello got 120 hits, scored seventy one runs and knocked in seventy six. He finished the season hitting a healthy .336. In his first three years with Worcester (2005-07). in 2006 he struck out sixty four times. In 2008 he cut that number down to forty four. He holds the franchise record for batting average in a season with .315, as well as at bats (1,050), and his 178 runs and 122 walks are also the most in Tornadoes history.

He's made adjustments. He's gotten smarter about hitting.

The road through baseball for him has included a stint with the Grays in the Can-Am League as well as a mid-season trade to the Nashua Pride in 2007. Colabello is a Milford , Mass native and attended Assumption where he holds the All-American record for RBI in a season (2004) with thirty three and is second all-time in batting average (.345). But beyond his ability on the field, it's his positive outlook that is also so impressive.

He sees all of his experiences as valuable and has done everything he can to make the most of them.

"I wouldn't have met and learned what I have from [manager] Rich Gedman. And he's helped me get so much better."

Gedman is a former Red Sox player and a highly respected baseball coach. He's the skipper of one of the most talented teams in the Can-Am League with pitcher Tom Cochran, Francisco Caraballo and catcher Alex Trezza on the roster. Gedman is not the most media friendly person. He once told me, "I don't see things the way you people do." I wasn't sure what he meant. But it's clear that the way he approaches the game is straight-forward and that he teaches it. Talking it to death is just not his thing. It's his approach that has clearly inspired his players.

"Living in the area, I get to see Rich a lot and we just talk about hitting."

Colabello, whose option Worcester picked up is determined, but he also knows it's getting tougher. He jokingly asked if it was too late to change positions and mentioned that the Tornadoes might try and move him to third.

Is waiting for that moment to get THE phone call getting more difficult? Colabello doesn't waver.

"I've always believed that no matter where you are, you play hard, put your best foot forward and make the most of the opportunities."