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Sunday, January 10, 2010

Vince Phillips, Albany Yankees - 782

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Read Vince Phillips' revisited post: Four Years, 5/2/11
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Having something in common with Darrell Evans and Jackie Robinson is definitely a good thing. Unfortunately for Vince Phillips, the common elements between them do not include "major leaguer."

Phillips graduated from Pasadena's John Muir High School in 1987, having quarterbacked the Mustangs the previous fall to a perfect 14-0 record, passing for over 2,000 yards. It was enough to get Phillips a scholarship offer from next-door USC. But, instead, he chose baseball, and a reported $130,000 signing bonus. That's categorized as "reported" because he was drafted by the Yankees in the 13th round, the sum seems high for someone drafted so low.

But it would apparently be a bad choice. Phillips played only four seasons in the minors, never getting above AA and never hitting better than .274. He also never showed any power. He hit only 17 home runs in four seasons.

His third and fourth years were spent with the Albany-Colonie Yankees. His final year, he led he Eastern League with 85 RBIs.

As for Phillips' link with Evans and Robinson, it was his high school. Evans, who played in the majors from 1969 to 1989, graduated from Muir High in 1965. Robinson graduated from the junior college that would become Muir High in 1936.

1990 CMC Tally
Cards Reviewed: 14/880
Major Leaguers: 7
Never Made the Majors: 7
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 2
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 7

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