The Jack Cust by Mike Ashmore BRONX, N.Y. -- Like clockwork, the subway cars passing nearby shake the spacious visiting clubhouse of Yankee Stadium every few minutes. Players card games go uninterrupted, the big screen TV showing women's golf doesn't miss a beat and the media certainly doesn't pass up their chance to talk to its newest darling. Ten seasons and 200 minor league home runs is all it took for Jack Cust to become an overnight success. Entering the season, the 28-year-old Cust was optimistic about his chances with the Padres, thinking he had a realistic chance to make the team out of Spring Training. Instead, San Diego had other plans and he seemed destined for another season at Triple-A, his seventh straight year at the highest level of the minors. A May 3rd trade changed all that, sending Cust from San Diego to the Oakland Athletics, and with that came a new lease on Major League life. "I knew I was going to the big leagues, but I didn't know what the playing time was going to be," said Cust of the deal. "I figured it was going to be for a substantial amount of time considering they got me out of my contract in San Diego. I was excited for the opportunity, but I was kind of nervous that maybe this was my last chance." With six home runs in his first seven games in an A's uniform, Cust made the most of the opportunity, transforming from a minor league legend to a Major League folk hero in the blink of an eye. "I'm having fun, I'm having a blast," he said. "Every time I walk out on to the field, it's awesome. It's a big league field, any time you're in a big league stadium, it gives you a little adrenaline rush." The Flemington native grew up a Yankees fan, idolizing Don Mattingly. Last weekend, he got to share a field with the legendary first baseman during batting practice. Perhaps he should be asking the Yankee legend for some tips, because first base might be a future home for Cust, with Mike Piazza coming back into the lineup soon and A's backstop Jason Kendall having caught more games than any catcher since 2000. "I like him and I'm happy for him, even though it was pretty much my roster spot that he's excelling in," said Piazza with a smile. "But that's the game, you get hurt and it's unforeseen. There's really nothing you can do about it, and I'm just glad he's been able to pick up the slack and basically keep us within striking distance." According to Piazza, the most likely scenario for both he and Cust to be in the same lineup would be for Piazza to catch and Cust to play in the outfield, although either player could fill the designated hitter role as well. But without his first extended run in the big leagues being a successful one, Cust would likely just get sent down to the minors again instead of forcing his way into the lineup. It wouldn't be the first time he'd spend time at Oakland's Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento, having played the entire 2005 season there without a big league call-up. Instead, finally given a chance two years later, the Immaculata grad came into the series against the Yankees hitting .287 with a team leading 13 home runs and 34 RBI. "He came up for those first two weeks, and he was just carrying us on his back," said Oakland's All-Star reliever Justin Duchscherer. "He's a good hitter. I think if he stays in the American League, he can do some damage." While there are the positive things that come with a run like the one he's been on, such as slowly becoming a household name among baseball fans, there are some negatives associated to it as well. According to Oakland starter Lenny DiNardo, the kind of run Cust has been on can change the way the opposition approaches him at the plate. "When you're pitching, you definitely look at the guy on deck," he said. "If you feel like you have a better chance of getting that guy out, you're definitely going to be a little more careful with the guy that's at the plate. You might pitch around him, or throw him a lot of breaking balls, so if you do walk him, it's no big deal and you get the next guy." The anonymity and relative obscurity of the minors is long gone, both on the field and off. "People will come up to me now, and kids will be like, 'Sign this and sign that,' while I'm having breakfast. It's a little weird, that definitely wasn't happening a year ago," Cust said. But mainly, things have been positive, especially in his own clubhouse. "He's got a great attitude," said Oakland's Danny Haren. "I think everyone in here just latched on to him right away. He's just an easygoing, truly nice guy." But even nice guys take a little ribbing when they're surrounded by a group of reporters. "The Jack Cust?" joked DiNardo when his name came up. The Jack Cust that belongs in the big leagues. The Jack Cust.