Cody Ransom has stuck with professional baseball for nearly two decades and may be in the mix down the stretch to help the Arizona Diamondbacks continue their pursuit of the San Francisco Giants in the National League West Division race.

Ransom, born in Mesa and a Chandler High and Grand Canyon University alum, is 35 years old. Played at Chandler High in the early 1990s and Grand Canyon in the mid-90s. The Diamondbacks are the eighth major league organization for Ransom. He received most of his playing time with San Francisco (his original team in 2001) and the New York Yankees (2008) when he subbed as a starter at third for the injured Alex Rodriguez..

Ransom may get the opportunity to help the D-Backs at a tough time and circumstance -- a season-ending broken ankle to stalwart shortstop Stephen Drew. How much time Ransom receives depends on how he performs when he gets a chance. He'd be a backup to the primary Drew replacement, Willie Bloomquist.

However it turns out, Ransom's sticktoitiveness has him primed for another shot at the big leagues in the middle of a pennant race no less. As of Thursday, he was batting .331 for the D-Backs AAA affiiliate, Reno. He's clubbed 26 homers and driven in 89 runs in 92 games in the hitting-rich Pacific Coast League.

Here's hoping Ransom can make a solid contribution. Even if he doesn't, staying with professional baseball on the fringe for the most part of his career (with 10 major league teams) exudes a desire and love of  the game.

Good luck, Cody.