He has always had the talent. Dave Eiland was a high school star at Zephyrhills, a college All-America prospect at South Florida and a proven winner in the minor leagues. He was okay in the majors, but the fact was, he was in the majors. But his joy comes not from fulfilling his promise, but rather keeping one. In 1996, father Bill, for 34 years the police chief in Zephyrhills, was lying near death when Eiland, then a minor leaguer trying to get back to the Big Show, promised him he would make it back to the big leagues, that he would pitch once again in Yankee Stadium. It took two years, two organizations and visits to Columbus, Tampa and Durham for Eiland to make good on the promise. But last Friday, he made his dad proud, getting the start for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays against New York in Yankee Stadium. "It was good to get back," Eiland said from his Wesley Chapel home. "Everyone (who is in the minors) wants to get back there. And it being there (in Yankee Stadium), that meant a little more that meant something." Eiland didn't get the win. But the start was still sweet because the journey back was not an easy one. At the time Eiland made the promise to his father, the thought of getting back to Yankee Stadium seemed implausible: Eiland was languishing with the St. Louis Cardinals minor league team in Louisville and was 0-1 with a 5.55 ERA after a promising spring. It grew more implausible. He was released by the Cardinals. Surprised, he signed with the New York Yankees, whom he left earlier that year after five seasons because he felt unappreciated. Again in New York, he pitched for Columbus and Tampa, Yankee minor league teams, and combined during the two years to go 13-7. Along came the Devil Rays. Logjammed in New York, Eiland decided to take his chances and sign with the hometown team, thinking that on an expansion team, his chances of making the major leagues would be good. He was wrong. Despite a fine minor league season at Triple A Durham that included 13 wins and 170 innings pitched _ no small wonder for a guy who has struggled with nagging injuries _ he was not called up to the majors when rosters expanded Sept. 1. With several young pitchers, the Devil Rays appeared more interested in looking at the future than Eiland, who is 32. Plus there was not a roster spot available. "That's the way it goes sometimes," Eiland said. "It's not always based on performance. They are going to give those guys a chance. I'm not saying that's wrong. They know how to throw, but do they know how to pitch. No. They are young and raw, and the only way to get better is by pitching. "But I thought I'd get a shot sooner." Eiland returned to his home at Saddlebrook to be with his wife, Sandra, and his daughters, Natalie and Nicole, after the end of the Durham season, thinking his season was over. Then, Sunday night, the phone rang, and the Devil Rays were calling him to the majors for the final week. "I got a call here at home last Sunday night and was on a flight about seven hours later," he said. "It's not like I jumped up and down and did handstands, but I was excited. When I first got there, they told me it was a good chance I would start that Friday, but it wasn't written in stone until Tuesday." Eiland's unlikely path to fulfilling a promise now had the destination in site. Yankee Stadium. The House that Ruth Built. The Stadium That Eiland Promised. The game was a sidelight. Eiland lasted only three-plus innings, but those in the organization said they liked what they saw, according to Eiland. The Yankees collected a few soft hits to the opposite field, and a tight strike zone contributed to three walks for the Dade City native, usually three starts worth. Still, he remains pleased. He will work out this off-season at Zephyrhills High School like he always does, and he will try again to make the major league roster come spring. Eiland thinks his final start showed he can still pitch. "I enjoyed it, enjoyed every second I was there," Eiland said. "The results don't look good in black and white. But if they were lacing doubles and triples into the gap and hitting home runs, I'd have to re-evaluate myself. "A lot of people were very pleased and somewhat impressed by the way I threw the ball. I don't think it hurt me." Eiland may not have won the game he promised "Chief,' but he has plans to do so. "I still feel like I got a few good years left," he said. "And the fire still burns deep."