The big league lifestyle is often regarded as glamorous. Many players have multiple residences, a fleet of automobiles, huge wardrobes, and thousands of dollars in jewelry. However, there are many more players that toil anonymously chasing their dream, accepting promotions and demotions, bouncing from place to place. Here today, gone tomorrow. Marcus Jensen is one of those players; his career can best be described as a "baseball odyssey."

On June 15th, Jensen was with his latest team, the Milwaukee Brewers. One of his former teams, the Minnesota Twins, were in town for an interleague series. He made rounds during batting practice, chatting and shaking hands with the friends and acquaintances he had made during his 52 game stint (a career high) with the Twins in 2000.

"I know a lot of the guys over there," he commented. "They've kept a lot of their players - they've got a good core group of players (now)."

"It's good to see them grow over the past couple of years. At the time I was there we were young; it was kind of a developmental phase," the soft-spoken catcher explained. "This (their success) was the objective of what they wanted. The guys have matured and they've gotten good results."

Although he gave no hint of it, Jensen must be a bit envious. Minnesota had offered his best chance of sticking in the big leagues. The Twins were a young team, their catching situation was unsettled, and he impressed them enough to make opening day roster despite being a non-roster invitee to spring training. However, after hitting .209, the switch hitting backstop was sent down to the minors in early August in favor of newly acquired Danny Ardoin. Now the Twins have bonded together to form one of the game's most exciting young teams as well as a legitimate contender.

Following his demotion in Minnesota in August of 2000, Jensen spent a month in at AAA Salt Lake and was selected to the United States Olympic Team. In Sydney, Jensen shared the catching duties with former Blue Jay Pat Borders. The United States, of course, defeated Cuba for the gold medal.

It was a thrilling experience for Jensen, who grew up a Dodger fan, to play for Tommy Lasorda, and to win a gold medal. "Winning the Olympics a couple of years ago," he said. "That's the highlight of my career - the top of what I've done so far."

He still discusses the event with former Olympic teammates like Doug Mientkiewicz and Ben Sheets. "Ten, twenty years down the line, we'll still have that experience to keep us together," Jensen said of the bond these players have formed.

After the Dodgers placed him on waivers following Spring Training in 2001, the Red Sox signed Jensen and assigned him to AAA Pawtucket. He remained there until June 8th, when Jason Varitek was placed on the disabled list (DL). Jensen appeared in just one game with Boston. He was waived when they acquired catcher Doug Mirabelli from Texas on June 14th. The next day Texas claimed him to replace Mirabelli, who had been filling in for Bill Hasselman. After a week of serving as Ivan Rodriguez's backup, Jensen was demoted to AAA Oklahoma when Hasselman was activated from the DL.

In just over two weeks, Jensen had gone from Pawtucket to Boston to Texas to Oklahoma. Despite all the movement, and all of the distractions, he kept his focus and a positive attitude. "Going to Pawtucket to Boston to Texas in matter of a week or two. As far as the business goes it's not strange, but there is definitely no stability in that kind of movement," he said.

Jensen played well at Oklahoma, hitting .298 with 8 HR and 25 RBI in 53 games, and was recalled on September 2nd. He finished the season with Texas hitting .160 in 11 games.

"For the most part last year I stayed in hotels the entire year. There are two ways to look at it: you can get frustrated because you're constantly bouncing around, on the flip side of that, I'm still getting opportunities to play - so I just try to stay positive," he explained.

With all of the movement, he keeps his possessions to minimum. "(I keep) just the core of what I need; enough to get me by in AAA and the big leagues," he commented.

The amount of short call ups Jensen has dealt with is a testament to his mental toughness and work ethic. "(You have to) continue the work ethic when you are not playing so when you do get your opportunity, when your name is called, that you are plenty ready," Jensen explained.

One of the most striking things about Marcus Jensen is his unusual build for the position. He plays a position that is usually reserved for a short, stocky, thick legged individual; he is instead tall, slender, (6-4, 195lbs) and athletic. His defense is his strength, and to this point, is the main reason (along with his ability to switch hit) that he has gotten so many opportunities. He is very agile behind the plate, and can jump out of the crouch quickly. His arm is above average, and he's been durable wherever he's played.

Jensen, whose grandfather, Mickey Kemper, played in the Negro Leagues, explains how he first began playing the position. "It was something my grandfather did when he played in the Negro Leagues, I just kind of picked it up from him," he said. "As a little leaguer, when I was 10 years old, they happened to put the catcher's gear on me and I've maintained it ever since. It was either that or pitching - they were basically my two options coming out of high school."

After speaking to Jensen for awhile, it is difficult to not admire his attitude and dedication. He is a dreamer, but yet his feet are firmly planted on the ground. "When you look at my resume - there have been a few releases on there, you start to question your value to certain clubs especially when you are getting released," he commented. "But I've persevered and kept moving and created opportunities; whether opportunities have opened up or I've created them - it's just been a blessing."

Despite the demotions and releases Jensen remains motivated. "I have a lot to prove, I don't think I've epitomized what I am capable of doing. I have yet to do that consistently at the big league level," he said. "As long as I keep getting opportunities to do that, I feel like I have a chance to prove something."

"I have yet to show what my strengths are. If I can get a little something going then maybe I can show I am capable of hitting in clutch situations, driving in some runs, and calling a good game," he went on to explain.

Now 29, Jensen's realistic side helps him cope with the harsh realities of the business. "(Quitting) has always been in the back of my mind if something doesn't happen if the opportunities don't continue to open - what is my next step from there? I got to face the reality of that situation as well," he explained.

Jensen, who lives in Scottsdale, AZ, during the off season, wouldn't even speculate on how many places he's lived during his career. "It's too hard to keep track," he said. "All year last year I stayed in hotels and never settled into one particular place and I've almost done the same this year."