"Emerging as he did as a 30-year-old slugging revelation and an All-Star in his first full season, Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick understands the perception that he and his 2008 season "came out of nowhere." Because there was a time when he felt like all of the mileage and meandering through pro baseball had landed him exactly there - nowhere. "I got lost in the shuffle," Ludwick said. "They had no clue who I was, who I had been or the kind of player I had been in the past. I'm fortunate to get a chance to show that."

Ludwick - currently on the disabled list with a hamstring injury - took a path to becoming a regular in the major leagues that was a twisty one, marked by a high-speed start, unexpected detours, and a series of career-jarring potholes. The slugger whose star power was promised by a start in the 2001 Futures Game arrived as an All-Star in 2008, and this is his route into and out of nowhere.

Ludwick goes undrafted

Spring 1996 - Undrafted out of high school, Ludwick shoos away any colleges who recruit him as a pitcher. "I told them not to even bother," he said. "I wanted to be a hitter." Hometown UNLV was the only school to grant that wish.

On Team USA

Summer 1998 - One of the last players invited to Team USA's tryout camp, Ludwick makes the team. He takes over at cleanup and hits .386 with nine homers and 27 RBIs. Returns to UNLV as a Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American.

DRAFTED IN SECOND ROUND

June 2, 1999 - Frustrated by slipping to second round of the draft (picked 60th by Oakland), Ludwick negotiates for an automatic call-up to High-A.

OAKLAND affiliate, Modesto

July 20, 1999 - On his first two swings as a pro, Ludwick hits two home runs. "I thought, 'Man, this game is easy,'" Ludwick said. "Then I proceeded to strike out in 13 of my next 16 at-bats."

Plays in the Futures Game

July 2001 - Alongside Chase Utley and Adam Dunn, Ludwick is selected for the Futures Game at Safeco Field. In his first 172 games at High-A Modesto, Ludwick has 33 homers and 136 RBIs.

Traded to Texas

Jan. 14, 2002 - Traded to Texas in a multiplayer swap that included Carlos Pena. "Oakland was my home," Ludwick said. "I really felt like I was their guy. I was going to be their first guy to get called up. Texas wasn't so clear."

Debuts with Rangers

June 5, 2002 - Makes major-league debut with Rangers, replacing pinch-hitter Rafael Palmeiro and playing right field in the 10th inning against Angels.

First Homer

June 25, 2002 - Starting in center field, he hits first major-league home run, a solo shot off Angels starter Scott Schoeneweis.

Goes on DL with stress fracture

August 3, 2002 - Back in Class AAA, Ludwick is put on the disabled list after a couple weeks of feeling like his hip flexor is on fire. "The doctor says it's not a break, but it's possibly a tumor," Ludwick said. "Then he goes through all of the possibilities - cancerous,