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Sunday, January 31, 2010

Gordon Dillard, Bounced by Canseco - 2


Perhaps Orioles manager Frank Robinson didn't have any patience that day. Perhaps he was trying to save his rookie pitcher. Maybe it was the three hits and four walks in 2.2 innings.

Five days earlier, Gordon Dillard pitched a perfect third of an inning. But one two-run home run this day, Aug. 17, 1988, off the bat of Jose Canseco and Dillard's first major league start came to an abrupt end, yanked in a 2-2 tie. The move that day, like many moves for the Orioles that year, didn't go well. They went on to lose 10-4.

The next day Dillard was optioned to AAA Rochester.

By 1989, Dillard was with the Phillies' system, having been traded in December with Ken Howell for Phil Bradley. He got in five games that May for four total innings. On May 7, he took part in a shutout, getting the final out in the seventh. But in his other 3.2 innings, he gave up three runs, closing the book on his major league career.

This year, 1990, was Dillard's final year of five in affiliated ball. He pitched in 11.1 innings that year for the Bisons, gave up only one run, unearned. By 1991, he was playing in his hometown of Salinas, Ca. for the Spurs of the California League. He went 5-7 with a 4.80 ERA in his final season of pro ball.

1990 CMC Tally
Cards Reviewed: 35/880 - 4.0%
Major Leaguers: 19 - 54%
Never Made the Majors: 16 - 46%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 6
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 11

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