tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54509693038654961792024-03-19T04:47:42.189-04:00Greatest 21 Days Baseball ProfilesResearching the minor league ballplayers of 1990Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.comBlogger8344125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-23896301978575568852024-03-18T22:40:00.002-04:002024-03-18T22:40:58.723-04:00Chris Correnti became go-to trainer for Red Sox, Pedro<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zGX9EWgRdIIJ-iH6aBOpFq_GelIMH23_UpUpUCrgD9hN3nRgHwr8UseflNNoBIbwsf8DCkXtyc3zyIuWVbx_EUy3AI-ajFiVxwIb6T5kJYSiSmofY0gaL0ZejbA_js9M6wNn7nIgaqj_CPpUUYqVJVfQhGw9PBoc7xUlRJjHCuYNT1jlevpaWqZDkiI/s800/240318Correnti.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chris Correnti 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zGX9EWgRdIIJ-iH6aBOpFq_GelIMH23_UpUpUCrgD9hN3nRgHwr8UseflNNoBIbwsf8DCkXtyc3zyIuWVbx_EUy3AI-ajFiVxwIb6T5kJYSiSmofY0gaL0ZejbA_js9M6wNn7nIgaqj_CPpUUYqVJVfQhGw9PBoc7xUlRJjHCuYNT1jlevpaWqZDkiI/w400-h210/240318Correnti.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Veteran Red Sox hurler <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burkejo03.shtml" target="_blank">John Burkett</a> started 2002 on the disabled list. So, going into 2003, Red Sox trainer Chris Correnti tried to avoid that with an off-season program, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-chris-correnti-jan-9/143652973/" target="_blank">The Hartford Courant wrote</a>.<p></p><p>"He's made some adjustments on his body, even last year. He's staying healthy," Correnti <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-chris-correnti-jan-9/143652973/" target="_blank">told The Courant</a>. "He's never really done any type of lifting in his career. I just put him on a simple program. We're adding a little bit. I think he's enjoying it. I think you're going to see results."</p><p>Burkett's work paid off with 30 starts that season and a 1209 record. Correnti's work with other players also gained notice, including with future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez and fellow Red Sox hurler Derek Lowe. </p><p>Correnti would even become known as Martinez' personal trainer.</p><p>Correnti's career began in 1989, as a <a href="https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/70425/cid/5099577/1991-Classic-Best-Burlington-Astros-28-Chris-Correnti" target="_blank">minor league trainer</a> for the Astros. He graduated from Illinois State University with degree in athletic training and he <a href="https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/71488/cid/5153008/1994-Classic-Best-Lynchburg-Red-Sox-29-Chris-Correnti" target="_blank">later worked on his Masters</a>. (Correnti was inadvertently pictured on fellow trainer Gene Confreda's 1990 Osceola card)</p><p>Correnti served as trainer in 1990 at high-A Osceola, then as trainer at <a href="https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/70425/cid/5099577/1991-Classic-Best-Burlington-Astros-28-Chris-Correnti" target="_blank">single-A Burlington</a> for 1991. By 1994, he was with the Red Sox, as trainer at <a href="https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/71488/cid/5153008/1994-Classic-Best-Lynchburg-Red-Sox-29-Chris-Correnti" target="_blank">high-A Lynchburg</a>.</p><p>By 2001, he was in Boston <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-chris-correnti-aug/143654486/" target="_blank">working with Martinez</a>. That February, Correnti spoke <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press-chris-correnti-feb-18-200/143656492/" target="_blank">with The Fort Myers News-Press</a> about Lowe, whom he worked with almost daily.</p><p>"He's stronger than he's ever been," Correnti <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press-chris-correnti-feb-18-200/143656492/" target="_blank">told The News-Press</a>. "He's in better shape than he's ever been and he's just carrying himself a lot better as far as balance, his core, total body strength."</p><p>Correnti stayed with the Red Sox <a href="https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2005/11/17/medical_staff_c_1/" target="_blank">through 2005</a>. For 2007, he joined the Mets, <a href="https://nypost.com/2007/09/10/mets-hire-pedros-trainer/" target="_blank">described by The New York Post</a> as Pedro's trainer. For 2012, he <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/orioles-add-chris-correnti-to-athletic-training-staff/c-66625436" target="_blank">joined the Orioles</a> and became an assistant trainer on their big league staff in 2014.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuj8UA1ESXYnN6sEoZP-pv2_HT0HkISV6NVYNKy9Xjr1bzaOmnsa7gszeSKvFKo0yQpiB0L96TsE7BlLTBeWWtAVV1D51zYyGXSeEWz_QlWaAu1Q9QHDj4nrT38OH8kEQlffzh9twGynzm1_kpfB7oZXGAkqE8N-Nl00iZgkN44Sb0YT8gVT4V2uBON0/s350/StarOsc30.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chris Correnti 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="246" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuj8UA1ESXYnN6sEoZP-pv2_HT0HkISV6NVYNKy9Xjr1bzaOmnsa7gszeSKvFKo0yQpiB0L96TsE7BlLTBeWWtAVV1D51zYyGXSeEWz_QlWaAu1Q9QHDj4nrT38OH8kEQlffzh9twGynzm1_kpfB7oZXGAkqE8N-Nl00iZgkN44Sb0YT8gVT4V2uBON0/w225-h320/StarOsc30.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-chris-correnti-jan-9/143652973/" target="_blank">Hartford Courant, Jan. 9, 2003: Burkett Is Stronger, Will Sox Rotation Be?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press-chris-correnti-feb-18-200/143656492/" target="_blank">Fort Myers News-Press, Feb. 13, 2004: Lowe</a></li></ul><p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><div><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div><br /></div><b style="text-align: left;"></b></div><div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,330<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,399-32.3%<b>-X</b><br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,931-67.7%</div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>569<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>351</div></div>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-77066288522793490492024-03-17T21:16:00.004-04:002024-03-17T21:16:50.208-04:00Gene Confreda enjoyed work as trainer, passed in 1990<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nVswvytGKNDtqJt99aqpdhItMP4kbTxAYvgy9H-ykEln581xTtSXBqk_grKaM52NL8TLl4AtqV0B9fJn7PBhkS1qR16VnHvvXpBfKvA9i49YOnzz1UCvKXincvMotfciqYt6r4t7xLidg_tK2VxEYYCgxpF88AeaoOIdvhyphenhyphenPT8G6Da6t-bTJdit7Nn4/s800/240317Confreda.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gene Confreda 1990 Osceola Astros card back" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nVswvytGKNDtqJt99aqpdhItMP4kbTxAYvgy9H-ykEln581xTtSXBqk_grKaM52NL8TLl4AtqV0B9fJn7PBhkS1qR16VnHvvXpBfKvA9i49YOnzz1UCvKXincvMotfciqYt6r4t7xLidg_tK2VxEYYCgxpF88AeaoOIdvhyphenhyphenPT8G6Da6t-bTJdit7Nn4/w400-h210/240317Confreda.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Osceola Astros trainer <a href="https://www.tcdb.com/Person.cfm/pid/74108/col/1/yea/0/Gene-Confreda?sTeam=&sCardNum=&sNote=&sSetName=&sBrand=" target="_blank">Gene Confreda</a> described his job <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-gene-confreda-jul/143579722/" target="_blank">to The Orlando Sentinel</a> in July 1989 as a little bit of everything. </p><p>In addition to tending to players' injuries, he also fixed mitts, stocked dressing rooms and ensured the team had the proper playing equipment, Confreda <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-gene-confreda-jul/143579722/" target="_blank">told The Sentinel</a>.</p><p>"Until a trainer gets a big-league job, they have to do a little bit of everything," Confreda, then 38, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-gene-confreda-jul/143579722/" target="_blank">told The Sentinel</a>, adding at another point "After 12 years, it's work I still enjoy."</p><p>Confreda would return to start at 13th season in 1990, but he wouldn't be able to complete it. On May 1, 1990, Confreda passed away, taken by colon cancer.</p><p>Confreda's career as a minor league trainer began in 1978, as a trainer with the Padres. He turned trainer after graduating in 1973 from the University of Rhode Island. He then got his masters in athletic training from Indiana University in 1976. (Note: The individual in Confreda's 1990 Osceola card photo is not Confreda, but actually fellow trainer <a href="https://www.tcdb.com/Person.cfm/pid/129745/Chris-Correnti" target="_blank">Chris Correnti</a>.)</p><p>Confreda started with the Padres training at single-A Reno. He returned there for 1979, where he tended to a player <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/nevada-state-journal-gene-confreda-jun/143580267/" target="_blank">briefly knocked unconscious</a> hit by a pitch.</p><p>Confreda stayed with the Padres for nine seasons, eventually serving as trainer at AA Amarillo, AA Beaumont, single-A Salem and AAA Las Vegas.</p><p>He served as trainer at Salem in 1982, helping <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-gene-confreda-july-7/143580852/" target="_blank">keep future major league catcher</a> <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/parenma01.shtml" target="_blank">Mark Parent</a> on the field. he <a href="https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/71777/cid/5175408/1983-TCMA-Beaumont-Golden-Gators-23-Gene-Confreda" target="_blank">saw Beaumont</a> in 1983.</p><p>Confreda made AAA Las Vegas by 1985 and <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/reno-gazette-journal-gene-confreda-jan/143581113/" target="_blank">returned to Reno for</a> 1986. There, he tended to future Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar when Alomar <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/reno-gazette-journal-gene-confreda-jul/143581330/" target="_blank">came down with stomach pains</a> before a double header that July.</p><p>He joined the Astros for 1987 and served as trainer <a href="https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/60183/cid/3525863/1988-ProCards-1076-Gene-Confreda" target="_blank">at single-A Asheville</a> for 1988. He arrived at Osceola for 1989 and was to return for 1990. He then <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-gene-confreda-may/143581861/" target="_blank">passed away May 1, 1990</a> at the <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/185450000/gene-b.-confreda" target="_blank">age of 39</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi8lgyYJmhST_qd5xJSSbQ_uZ2dxlPqdYH8ayqhxK9TzgAgzgMy-8U2MevrtBlB-54AD9roIPLwx2RXoACULUsj5nWW122T37-9iiFb5elY1Kbjo9hxc5tVoG0gqXsw4McES-T0h0Y2X9VYQMmATZXs6degtQNrjVt_IJzCABf_b3oWzStlSXZ1b3mOA/s350/StarOsc30a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gene Confreda 1990 Osceola Astros card back" border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="350" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi8lgyYJmhST_qd5xJSSbQ_uZ2dxlPqdYH8ayqhxK9TzgAgzgMy-8U2MevrtBlB-54AD9roIPLwx2RXoACULUsj5nWW122T37-9iiFb5elY1Kbjo9hxc5tVoG0gqXsw4McES-T0h0Y2X9VYQMmATZXs6degtQNrjVt_IJzCABf_b3oWzStlSXZ1b3mOA/w320-h229/StarOsc30a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-gene-confreda-jul/143579722/" target="_blank">Orlando Sentinel, July 14, 1989: Confreda a real pro at training</a></li></ul><p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><div><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div><br /></div><b style="text-align: left;"></b></div><div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,329<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,398-32.3%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,931-67.7%<b>-X</b></div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>569<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>351</div></div>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-21041298395956516332024-03-17T17:50:00.004-04:002024-03-17T17:50:54.397-04:00Ed Ponte made AA, then wanted to get back, saw 9 seasons<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jsnftTlXJIwYirlYyR5zkCAt6FjMAjQyfNEkOzpac0TlIe3803x2awKtzLTDfah7niRWXNI7kxmsx5eun5FXCwB8T4J2PBZW34Y-p1HPRvRcI7CJt3lWhZ9T4d5lxFunGOQNqTeFu6yYg9o5AQiwAVS_OgwytPNl56JlgsdYWqbsEjRayRULXYxPtQ8/s800/240317Ponte.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ed Ponte 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jsnftTlXJIwYirlYyR5zkCAt6FjMAjQyfNEkOzpac0TlIe3803x2awKtzLTDfah7niRWXNI7kxmsx5eun5FXCwB8T4J2PBZW34Y-p1HPRvRcI7CJt3lWhZ9T4d5lxFunGOQNqTeFu6yYg9o5AQiwAVS_OgwytPNl56JlgsdYWqbsEjRayRULXYxPtQ8/w400-h210/240317Ponte.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />After seeing AA twice earlier, Astros minor leaguer <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ponte-001edw" target="_blank">Ed Ponte</a> found himself back at single-A to start 1993, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dispatch-ed-ponte-april-25-1993/143564688/" target="_blank">The Moline Dispatch wrote</a>.<p></p><p>Ponte just wanted to be back at AA, making progress, he <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dispatch-ed-ponte-april-25-1993/143564688/" target="_blank">told The Dispatch</a> that April.</p><p>"I would like to be out of here by next month," Ponte <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dispatch-ed-ponte-april-25-1993/143564688/" target="_blank">told The Dispatch</a>. "I want to put up as good of numbers as possible."</p><p>Ponte, though, never made it back to AA. He played <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ponte-001edw" target="_blank">three more seasons</a> in independent ball, for 9 campaigns total. He topped out in those AA trips.</p><p>Ponte's career began in 1988, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/136635/" target="_blank">signed by the Astros</a> as an undrafted free agent out of State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota.</p><p>Ponte started with the Astros in the <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ponte-001edw" target="_blank">rookie Gulf Coast League</a>. He moved to single-A Asheville for 1989, where he went 11-3, with a 3.27 ERA in 42 relief appearances.</p><p>He played 1990 between high-A Osceola <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ponte-001edw" target="_blank">and AA Columbus</a>. He saw 18 relief appearances at Columbus and went 1-2, with a 3.00 ERA.</p><p>Ponte played 1991 <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ponte-001edw" target="_blank">back at Osceola</a> and then 1992 between single-A Burlington, Osceola and AA Jackson. He went 4-6 on the year, with a 2.83 ERA in 70 total appearances, one start.</p><p>In May 1993, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-south-bend-tribune-ed-ponte-may-9/143566450/" target="_blank">The South Bend Tribune referenced</a> Ponte's return to the Midwest League and described him as a sidearm pitcher. </p><p>"From a hitter's standpoint, it can be more difficult," Ponte <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-south-bend-tribune-ed-ponte-may-9/143566450/" target="_blank">told The Tribune</a> of his delivery. "The arm angle is tough. Right-handed have to peek to the left. They don't have as much time to pick up the ball." </p><p>Ponte saw 39 relief outings <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ponte-001edw" target="_blank">for Quad City</a> that year, went 4-6 and saved 17 games.</p><p>He's next created as playing in 1997 at independent Waterbury. He <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ponte-001edw" target="_blank">returned to Waterbury</a> for 1998 and saw Taiwan, playing five games with Brother. He then ended his career in 1999 with independent Allentown and Sioux City. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdRCP2gYyEWTYlhSsdktepw9RFfVe6AQzY-KRlUpyV7EhHs7wTMgeSnMTI0hpMPl__5nLOqd4Bko7GU_Y4YqA1Ixkn2TTTsIc0hFti0l0sIBMKMjWZYslNjoc-bOKP3p0or41F6lcLMbSRClKoeD2TfATqD4YBJBkK2tL2sgg_cA0OX5FO8M0_CgyxuA/s350/StarOsc22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ed Ponte 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="248" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdRCP2gYyEWTYlhSsdktepw9RFfVe6AQzY-KRlUpyV7EhHs7wTMgeSnMTI0hpMPl__5nLOqd4Bko7GU_Y4YqA1Ixkn2TTTsIc0hFti0l0sIBMKMjWZYslNjoc-bOKP3p0or41F6lcLMbSRClKoeD2TfATqD4YBJBkK2tL2sgg_cA0OX5FO8M0_CgyxuA/w227-h320/StarOsc22.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dispatch-ed-ponte-april-25-1993/143564688/" target="_blank">Moline Dispatch, April 25, 1993: Ponte pushing for quick exit</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-south-bend-tribune-ed-ponte-may-9/143566450/" target="_blank">South Bend Tribune, May 9, 1993: Burlington's Doug O'Neill has baseball, football options</a></li></ul><p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><div><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div><br /></div><b style="text-align: left;"></b></div><div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,328<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,398-32.3%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,930-67.7%<b>-X</b></div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>569<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>351</div></div>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-23323717796265947562024-03-16T11:07:00.001-04:002024-03-16T11:07:05.939-04:00Sal Butera made bigs as player, then helped others there<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBMSXdlz9H4t7YJv8iN16oGzVc7Rxgo_qtLR0HrDKW8wowgXKVL7Y5OsUboet4tZtesgFL_4TJI91OBeBWeARBGb4JPEnXhEiCQgA6iJDxnnt1807Wz4yPSKpugSOBpw4JUnpTsiZQsed_hA7ufgX0Rr3vieCttaoQD8Id86BuPvZCzVV7Q1GBtIvSvw/s800/240316Butera.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sal Butera 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBMSXdlz9H4t7YJv8iN16oGzVc7Rxgo_qtLR0HrDKW8wowgXKVL7Y5OsUboet4tZtesgFL_4TJI91OBeBWeARBGb4JPEnXhEiCQgA6iJDxnnt1807Wz4yPSKpugSOBpw4JUnpTsiZQsed_hA7ufgX0Rr3vieCttaoQD8Id86BuPvZCzVV7Q1GBtIvSvw/w400-h210/240316Butera.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Still a young minor league manager in 1991, Osceola skipper <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/butersa01.shtml" target="_blank">Sal Butera</a> compared <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-sal-butera-jan-1/143448540/" target="_blank">to The Orlando Sentinel</a> his job with players then to those of his own early playing career.
<p>"Being a manager also means handling players' frustrations, goals and inabilities on and off the field," Butera <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-sal-butera-jan-1/143448540/" target="_blank">told The Sentinel</a> that January. "Even though I went through those things as a player almost 20 years ago, things change."</p><p>Butera's own playing career took him all the way to the majors over nine seasons. He also saw a World Series. His post-playing career saw him <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/9486/jobs/" target="_blank">manage in the minors</a>, coach in the majors and scout.</p><p>Butera's career in baseball began in 1972, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/9486/" target="_blank">signed</a> as an undrafted free agent out of Suffolk County Community College.</p><p>Butera started with the White Sox in the <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=butera001sal" target="_blank">rookie Gulf Coast League</a>. He moved to the Yankees and single-A Fort Lauderdale for 1973. He then arrived with the Twins at single-A Lynchburg for 1974.</p><p>He <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=butera001sal" target="_blank">made AA Orlando</a> and AAA Tacoma for 1975, then AA in 1976 and AAA the next three seasons.</p><p>Butera <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/butersa01.shtml" target="_blank">debuted in the majors</a> with the Twins in 1980. He saw 34 games that year, then 62 in 1981 and 54 in 1982. He then moved to the Tigers, Expos and Reds for 1983 into 1987.</p><p>In July 1986, the catcher <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/dayton-daily-news-sal-butera-july-22/143451063/" target="_blank">spoke to The Dayton Daily News</a> about the perils of the position after some minor injury.</p><p>"Just bruises," Butera <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/dayton-daily-news-sal-butera-july-22/143451063/" target="_blank">told The Daily News</a>. "Part of the position. Nobody put a gun to my head and said, 'You have to catch.'"</p><p>Butera returned to the Twins mid-1987, in time for their World Series run. He made <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=butersa01&t=b&year=0&post=1" target="_blank">two postseason appearances</a>.</p><p>Butera then <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/butersa01.shtml" target="_blank">saw 23 final</a> major league appearances in 1988 with the Blue Jays and finished out his career <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=butera001sal" target="_blank">at AAA in 1989</a>.</p><p>By 1990, Butera was with the Astros as manager of <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/9486/jobs/" target="_blank">high-A Osceola</a>, where he ended up having an early impact on Kenny Lofton.</p><p>After a bad start to the season, Butera had a talk with Lofton on the field, Butera <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star-sal-butera-feb-12/143469371/" target="_blank">recalled to The Arizona Daily Star</a> in February 1991.</p><p>"I told him you play baseball 150 times a year. It's not like basketball where you play two times a week," Butera <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star-sal-butera-feb-12/143469371/" target="_blank">recalled to The Daily Star</a>. "You have to be up every night. Otherwise, they'll eat you alive. From that point on, his work habits got better. His confidence grew."</p><p>Butera stayed with Osceola three seasons, then moved up to AA Jackson for 1993 and 1994. For 1995, he managed <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/9486/jobs/" target="_blank">with the Twins</a> at AA New Britain.</p><p>In 1998, he <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/9486/jobs/" target="_blank">served as a coach</a> for the Blue Jays in Toronto. He then turned scout, most recently recorded in that role in 2015.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgvT6ByoVrXGdgKxbKSjKDA1gxKvr0pCUVfwlbQBajWfzws6Ale3iKAwRpxyhDOEpQKk3SHz7ijglOgik0ObGiPXPbZe19exXj_S5XzEF43oNC9tMJBEj6-L1YBVUHFRvA0OcvXUQw9QNd_41bQh9ADDH2DeZnG81u1fzR-NOBgaOuN_3aTPQQSuT610/s350/StarOsc27.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sal Butera 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="247" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgvT6ByoVrXGdgKxbKSjKDA1gxKvr0pCUVfwlbQBajWfzws6Ale3iKAwRpxyhDOEpQKk3SHz7ijglOgik0ObGiPXPbZe19exXj_S5XzEF43oNC9tMJBEj6-L1YBVUHFRvA0OcvXUQw9QNd_41bQh9ADDH2DeZnG81u1fzR-NOBgaOuN_3aTPQQSuT610/w226-h320/StarOsc27.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/dayton-daily-news-sal-butera-july-22/143451063/" target="_blank">Dayton Daily News, July 22, 1986: Sal Butera, like a good soldier, goes on fighting</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-sal-butera-jan-1/143448540/" target="_blank">Orlando Sentinel, Jan. 17, 1991: Butera is hired for 2nd year as manager of Astros</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star-sal-butera-feb-12/143469371/" target="_blank">Arizona Daily Star, Feb. 12, 1991: Lofton continues on fast track</a></li></ul><p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><div><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div><br /></div><b style="text-align: left;"></b></div><div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,327<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,398-32.3%<b>-X</b><br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,929-67.7%</div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>569<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>351</div></div>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-87643604462829241972024-03-12T22:13:00.001-04:002024-03-12T22:13:22.101-04:00Rick Dunnum pitched wherever needed over four pro seasons<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzN5qHRkCalaNUEShJPs759NRQJjN23VXzDWlpX8nEmiWk537-wLE3ByZzF3BtWrS5F-EAr_YUYqoHRIZKchmuIICqFLhuyNZthwVrKgkHu3VFEyAyidXua0Q3q-6xFj59PQMgNq_zbJDKdvTeH3c0apVrewmvJOUOGGwE5-vRhmWphivLyrsWtdbqO0/s800/240312Dunnum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rick Dunnum 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzN5qHRkCalaNUEShJPs759NRQJjN23VXzDWlpX8nEmiWk537-wLE3ByZzF3BtWrS5F-EAr_YUYqoHRIZKchmuIICqFLhuyNZthwVrKgkHu3VFEyAyidXua0Q3q-6xFj59PQMgNq_zbJDKdvTeH3c0apVrewmvJOUOGGwE5-vRhmWphivLyrsWtdbqO0/w400-h210/240312Dunnum.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dunnum001ric" target="_blank">Rick Dunnum</a> could do a little bit of everything on the mound for the high-A Osceola Astros in 1990, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-journal-rick-dunnum-april-8-199/143255715/" target="_blank">The Vero Beach Press Journal wrote</a>. <p></p><p>On this night, he was put into a starting role after the regular starter got hurt and proceeded to throw five shutout innings, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-journal-rick-dunnum-april-8-199/143255715/" target="_blank">The Press Journal wrote</a>.</p><p>"I'm just a whatever-they-need kind of guy," Dunnum <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-journal-rick-dunnum-april-8-199/143255715/" target="_blank">explained to The Press Journal</a> afterward. He added later of his effort, "I hope this will help me. They know I can do this, come in and give them five or six innings at a time."</p><p>Dunnum had that outing early in his third season as a pro. He went on to see just one more. He <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dunnum001ric" target="_blank">topped out at AA</a>.</p><p>Dunnum's career began in 1988, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/77540/" target="_blank">taken by the Astros</a> in the 21st round of the draft out of William Penn University in Iowa. </p><p>Dunnum started with the Astros at <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dunnum001ric" target="_blank">short-season Auburn</a>. He saw 18 outings, 10 starts. He went 7-0, with a 3.66 ERA and one save.</p><p>He then moved to <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dunnum001ric" target="_blank">single-A Asheville</a> for 1989. He went 6-6 there, with a 2.63 ERA over 36 outings, 18 starts. </p><p>That August, he used a good sinker to pitch into the eighth inning while giving up seven hits and three runs in a win, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-joe-charno-and-t/107860179/" target="_blank">The Asheville Citizen-Times wrote</a>.</p><p>"I was relaxed out there today and seemed to stay ahead of the hitters," Dunnum <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-joe-charno-and-t/107860179/" target="_blank">told The Citizen-Times</a>. "... I threw my sinker a lot today and when it's working you can tell because I'm usually getting a lot of ground-ball outs."</p><p>Dunnum then <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dunnum001ric" target="_blank">moved to Osceola</a> for 1990. He saw 51 outings, two starts on the year. He went 5-1, with a 2.80 ERA and five saves.</p><p>Dunnum played the 1991 season in the Phillies system, at AA Reading. He got 55 outings, with six starts and went 6-5, with a 4.58 ERA to <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dunnum001ric" target="_blank">end his career</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7T5HBiVT4dEZttudE9y6jH9qAYXDavQVo7_UgW743BPFwm1fBGYe1EhyphenhyphenOiOjY6H2EXTuu2IRN9pzQlktKWfewqdpGEpYKDaYdardHfgKitY-20ygt5-hGRSewdUyIJhzw9HVeMe8Vm4LsUVf7PI7pFn5tPNExAuZPfTh5T0ouysbJe-6YCAUxlhoNZY/s350/StarOsc07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rick Dunnum 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="248" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7T5HBiVT4dEZttudE9y6jH9qAYXDavQVo7_UgW743BPFwm1fBGYe1EhyphenhyphenOiOjY6H2EXTuu2IRN9pzQlktKWfewqdpGEpYKDaYdardHfgKitY-20ygt5-hGRSewdUyIJhzw9HVeMe8Vm4LsUVf7PI7pFn5tPNExAuZPfTh5T0ouysbJe-6YCAUxlhoNZY/w227-h320/StarOsc07.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-joe-charno-and-t/107860179/" target="_blank">Asheville Citizen-Times, Aug. 7, 1989: Tourists Power Past Rainbows</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-journal-rick-dunnum-april-8-199/143255715/" target="_blank">Vero Beach Press Journal, April 8, 1990: Astros topple Dodgers</a></li></ul><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div><br /></div><b style="text-align: left;"></b></div><div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,326<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,397-32.3%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,929-67.7%<b>-X</b></div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>569<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>351</div></div>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-43437773409891945052024-03-11T22:42:00.004-04:002024-03-11T22:42:38.392-04:00Dan Nyssen played 4 seasons, grew frustrated with progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFC-Bx64ML_LFFB657hE8ESWoDViV2L0PzDayycl_3AZcIk16yAheKi4JbQC-n-cFNfJDWQ-fES-NC4B8odYn1Eiq-TzVyhbrr8VJY88x8xBVBHnpqMI4Lt2JOW7X8DEU9OsySRRARSRdNWO35Slb5gze_6VEwOOIOtCuhneFsmDsR0A2dsqKy4hcOC9Q/s800/240311Nyssen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dan Nyssen 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFC-Bx64ML_LFFB657hE8ESWoDViV2L0PzDayycl_3AZcIk16yAheKi4JbQC-n-cFNfJDWQ-fES-NC4B8odYn1Eiq-TzVyhbrr8VJY88x8xBVBHnpqMI4Lt2JOW7X8DEU9OsySRRARSRdNWO35Slb5gze_6VEwOOIOtCuhneFsmDsR0A2dsqKy4hcOC9Q/w400-h210/240311Nyssen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Selected by the Houston Astros early in the 1987 draft, University of Hawaii center fielder <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=nyssen001dan" target="_blank">Dan Nyssen</a> <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-dan-nyssen-june/143185931/" target="_blank">spoke to The Honolulu Star-Bulletin</a> about his prospects for going pro.
<p>"I'm happy with the Astros, I was expecting it," Nyssen <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-dan-nyssen-june/143185931/" target="_blank">told The Star-Bulletin</a>. "I talked with (Astros scout) Reggie Waller a week ago and they sounded like they were the most interested in me at the time."</p><p>Nyssen signed and turned pro. His pro career lasted four seasons as frustration eventually replaced the happiness. He <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=nyssen001dan" target="_blank">topped out at AA</a>.</p><p>Nyssen's career began that year in 1987, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/90282/" target="_blank">taken by the Astros</a> in the seventh round of the draft out of Hawaii. He played his high school ball at Eisenhower High School in his hometown of Yakima, Wash.</p><p>He started with the Astros at <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=nyssen001dan" target="_blank">short-season Auburn</a>. He saw 73 games and hit .315</p><p>He then moved to single-A Osceola and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=nyssen001dan" target="_blank">single-A Asheville</a> for 1988. He hit .253 over 84 games between them.</p><p>Nyssen <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=nyssen001dan" target="_blank">returned to Osceola</a> for 1989 and most of 1990. He also saw 18 games at AA Columbus in 1990. He hit .218 there. That April, <a href="https://original-ufdc.uflib.ufl.edu/UF00028318/02037/10x" target="_blank">The Osceola News-Gazette featured</a> Nyssen and his leadership.</p><p>"Dan was kept here for a very key purpose, and that was to lead the club on and off the field," Osceola general manager Pat O'Conner <a href="https://original-ufdc.uflib.ufl.edu/UF00028318/02037/10x" target="_blank">told The News-Gazette</a>. "At this point, two weeks into the season, he has done an admirable job. He's had several key hits for us, and he's been a leader by example."</p><p>That October, he looked forward to 1991, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-brian-souza-oct/54934159/" target="_blank">The Star-Bulletin wrote</a>. He also looked forward to leaving Osceola behind.</p><p>"There's no reason why I shouldn't be in Double A next year," Nyssen <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-brian-souza-oct/54934159/" target="_blank">told The Star-Bulletin</a>. "I played every day this year and led the team (Osceola) in RBIs."</p><p>But, by the end of that next spring training, Nyssen was ready to go home. His hoped-for assignment to AA turned into another trip to Osceola. He asked for and received his release, he <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-dan-nyssen-june/143190257/" target="_blank">told The Star-Bulletin</a>.</p><p>"I didn't really want to do it and they didn't really want to give it to me, but they did," Nyssen <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-dan-nyssen-june/143190257/" target="_blank">told The Star-Bulletin</a>. "I was sick and tired of going nowhere. It wasn't very good for my ego. I felt I was in a no-win situation."</p><p>Nyssen soon returned home to Yakima and went into pest control. <a href="https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/heres-more-fallout-from-the-mild-winter----rats/article_9aee1d70-7172-11e5-a823-2f354e670c9f.html" target="_blank">The Yakima Herald-Republic spoke</a> to him in 2015 as owner of <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-nyssen-62922a41/" target="_blank">Valley Pest Control</a> on the topic of roof rats.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwAe8t-lFuu1nP_WgeKmqdJlhmGgQaGLvnioAutfWj4ycOYspKAcZceoJ5h1UP4OeULYJQEcjFEoWZQ4ewtBH14_SODP_g-M6GhOL_PM9lbKQJijoRBApxBR8_6CZgk4W1FDET7dQliuCNgs0N-O8rJdYr2nvqJhiU5xoPDzEfhoJq9G0af_olay403U/s345/StarOsc21%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dan Nyssen 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="249" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwAe8t-lFuu1nP_WgeKmqdJlhmGgQaGLvnioAutfWj4ycOYspKAcZceoJ5h1UP4OeULYJQEcjFEoWZQ4ewtBH14_SODP_g-M6GhOL_PM9lbKQJijoRBApxBR8_6CZgk4W1FDET7dQliuCNgs0N-O8rJdYr2nvqJhiU5xoPDzEfhoJq9G0af_olay403U/w231-h320/StarOsc21%20(1).jpg" width="231" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-dan-nyssen-june/143185931/" target="_blank">Honolulu Star-Bulletin, June 21, 1987: Astros pick Rainbows' Nyssen</a></li><li><a href="https://original-ufdc.uflib.ufl.edu/UF00028318/02037/10x" target="_blank">Osceola News-Gazette, April 21, 1990: Astros' Dan Nyssen a leader</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-brian-souza-oct/54934159/" target="_blank">Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Oct. 24, 1990: Trying to move up can be real tough</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-dan-nyssen-june/143190257/" target="_blank">Honolulu Star-Bulletin, June 8, 1991: Frustrated Nyssen asked for release</a></li><li><a href="https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/heres-more-fallout-from-the-mild-winter----rats/article_9aee1d70-7172-11e5-a823-2f354e670c9f.html" target="_blank">Yakima Herald-Republic, Oct. 12, 2015: Here's more fallout from the mild winter - rats</a></li></ul><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div><br /></div><b style="text-align: left;"></b></div><div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,325<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,397-32.3%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,928-67.7%<b>-X</b></div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>569<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>351</div></div></div><p></p>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-12373704946090326472024-03-09T22:35:00.002-05:002024-03-09T22:35:40.671-05:00Jeff Tuss played, later chose football to Angels' surprise<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmltNpVUNmVn2YdaawsqGvoPPciWLUFnRsvQTN1iyQhMlzYDs94lj54lXnSqeIhvOeNRK6u0q2RcP6BxQkvnINGtJvl-NeKsGJLcCPT4tP5SkLj2lLe0J9bYwsYZEZ6-nmfXy5KYh7XszVEWVH5J1_mKAsceWlqNJ49WTOE_cHR_iLhyphenhyphenp2QoUQYWyWv5w/s800/240309Tuss.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jeff Tuss 1990 West Palm Beach Expos card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmltNpVUNmVn2YdaawsqGvoPPciWLUFnRsvQTN1iyQhMlzYDs94lj54lXnSqeIhvOeNRK6u0q2RcP6BxQkvnINGtJvl-NeKsGJLcCPT4tP5SkLj2lLe0J9bYwsYZEZ6-nmfXy5KYh7XszVEWVH5J1_mKAsceWlqNJ49WTOE_cHR_iLhyphenhyphenp2QoUQYWyWv5w/w400-h210/240309Tuss.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Drafted out of high school by the Expos in 1988, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=tuss--001jef" target="_blank">Jeff Tuss</a> had a decision to make: Did he want to turn pro in baseball? Or go to college - and play football?, his <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-record-jeff-tuss-june/143045147/" target="_blank">hometown Helena Independent-Record wrote</a>.<p></p><p>He'd already signed a letter of intent to play for the Pac-10 Washington Huskies, making the decision even bigger, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-record-jeff-tuss-june/143045147/" target="_blank">The Independent-Record wrote</a>.</p><p>"I am going to give it (baseball) some real serious consideration," Tuss <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-record-jeff-tuss-june/143045147/" target="_blank">told The Independent Record</a>.</p><p>Tuss ultimately did choose the Expos and baseball. But, after four seasons where he only climbed as high as high-A, he revisited that decision. And his choice inadvertently led to one of baseball's <a href="https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/38445/short-relief-time-angels-traded-quarterback/" target="_blank">more unusual trades</a>, the Angels essentially unknowingly trading for a quarterback.</p><p>Tuss' baseball career began in 1988, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/98244/" target="_blank">taken by the Expos</a> in the 45th round of the draft out of Capital High School in Helena.</p><p>Tuss started with the Expos in the <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=tuss--001jef" target="_blank">rookie Gulf Coast League</a>. He went 1-3, with a 2.60 ERA over 9 outings, 7 starts. That first season over, he <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-record-sept-10-1988/143046765/" target="_blank">spoke to The Independent-Record</a> about his experience and his move to baseball.</p><p>"I enjoy what I'm doing," Tuss <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-record-sept-10-1988/143046765/" target="_blank">told The Independent-Record</a> then. "I am happy and that is the most important thing."</p><p>Tuss returned to the GCL for 1989, then made <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=tuss--001jef" target="_blank">high-A West Palm Beach</a> for 1990. He went 6-3 there, with a 2.11 ERA over 29 relief outings. </p><p>He played the next two seasons back <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=tuss--001jef" target="_blank">at West Palm Beach</a>. He saw 49 appearances in 1991, then 30 more in 1992. </p><p>That December, Tuss' agent <a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-01-21-sp-1897-story.html" target="_blank">relayed to the Expos</a> that Tuss would quit to return to football at Fresno State. But that message didn't make it to the Angels, who traded for Tuss in January only to learn the pitcher was quitting to be a quarterback. </p><p>The trade led <a href="https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/38445/short-relief-time-angels-traded-quarterback/" target="_blank">Baseball Prospectus to revisit</a> the trade in 2018 for its unusual nature. </p><p>At the time, the situation left Angels staff unsure what happened. Angels vice present for player personnel Whitey Herzog figured they'd soon settle with the Expos on another player, <a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-01-21-sp-1897-story.html" target="_blank">according to The Los Angeles Times</a>.</p><p>“It sure is strange, though. It’s the first I heard of something like this. Why the hell would he want to play football now?" Herzog <a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-01-21-sp-1897-story.html" target="_blank">told The Times</a>. "Oh well, let him go play football. I didn’t expect him to be Walter Johnson, anyway.”</p><p>The Expos did settle up, sending the Angels a <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1993/01/22/around-the-majors/ad7587c8-61e1-41f6-8ad3-fd6d49ec1487/" target="_blank">different player instead</a>.</p><p>As for Tuss, he went to Fresno State, then transferred home to Montana State, <a href="https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/hysell-names-tuss-starting-qb/article_965e94f8-4764-560b-aa20-4d759b670d1f.html" target="_blank">where he</a> was <a href="https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/hysell-names-tuss-starting-qb/article_965e94f8-4764-560b-aa20-4d759b670d1f.html" target="_blank">named starting quarterback</a> for 1995 and then returned in 1996 after a <a href="https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/tuss-back-at-helm-for-bobcats/article_02a5b458-6ee8-563a-8dc0-86defd19820f.html" target="_blank">brief stint moved</a> to backup.</p><p>"Sometimes you might feel differently than what the coaches do, but they know what's best for the team," Tuss <a href="https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/tuss-back-at-helm-for-bobcats/article_02a5b458-6ee8-563a-8dc0-86defd19820f.html" target="_blank">told The Bozeman Daily Chronicle</a> upon his return to starter. "I was patient and I tried to improve and get better every practice. If I only got three reps in practice, I tried to make them as good as possible."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CkJ4kHNWr-NnTf850W2KsIohrKahB7KgfROw2857_KzcYvhyXoNYEeaQIKXgLLfk2P4c8BJsygDgNtTCXqXngItBQv5eNcux4J4AHAEJJCeLs05f7OF7uHaO9I7dRWZCkSU7GS-ytnlKQ5FkPnJGVD-Yg70MoBbQWPuytAmvFGZH11lpYxgq-KhCNLg/s640/StarWPBNN4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jeff Tuss 1990 West Palm Beach Expos card" border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="461" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CkJ4kHNWr-NnTf850W2KsIohrKahB7KgfROw2857_KzcYvhyXoNYEeaQIKXgLLfk2P4c8BJsygDgNtTCXqXngItBQv5eNcux4J4AHAEJJCeLs05f7OF7uHaO9I7dRWZCkSU7GS-ytnlKQ5FkPnJGVD-Yg70MoBbQWPuytAmvFGZH11lpYxgq-KhCNLg/w231-h320/StarWPBNN4.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-record-jeff-tuss-june/143045147/" target="_blank">Helena Independent-Record, June 4, 1988: Montreal Expos draft Jeff Tuss</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-record-sept-10-1988/143046765/" target="_blank">Helena Independent-Record, Sept. 10, 1988: Jeff Tuss 'happy' playing professional baseball</a></li><li><a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-01-21-sp-1897-story.html" target="_blank">Los Angeles Times, Jan. 21, 1993: Somehow, Angels Get Quarterback in Stevens Trade</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/tuss-back-at-helm-for-bobcats/article_02a5b458-6ee8-563a-8dc0-86defd19820f.html" target="_blank">Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Sept. 24, 1996: Tuss back at helm for Bobcats</a></li><li><a href="https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/38445/short-relief-time-angels-traded-quarterback/" target="_blank">Baseball Prospectus, March 13, 2018: Short Relief: That Time the Angels Traded for a Quarterback</a></li></ul><p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><div><div><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2021/02/1990-west-palm-beach-expos-high.html">The 1990 West Palm Beach Expos</a></b></div></div><div><br /></div><b style="text-align: left;"></b></div><div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,324<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,397-32.3%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,927-67.7%<b>-X</b></div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>569<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>351</div></div>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-67074296342598705152024-03-09T18:44:00.002-05:002024-03-09T18:55:14.629-05:00Bobby Ramos showed heart, passion over decades-long career<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lqU7YYit2-wVKDL_q1HsaJlxdJXaR7epPRbQAv8NX8pdtzWnsAqegtZyymwcOglWhc-MKCk1LeC8RHo0s_hgFQ41LtZuN_tgW4vvIa2bi8jM-xVozGZUG7yYqK-A0oO-nP3g6x783BBmt566J2PLo0wJtBzBQRSXeTnnKHOsTrsLjX2XwxDETtATlNk/s800/240309Ramos.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bobby Ramos 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lqU7YYit2-wVKDL_q1HsaJlxdJXaR7epPRbQAv8NX8pdtzWnsAqegtZyymwcOglWhc-MKCk1LeC8RHo0s_hgFQ41LtZuN_tgW4vvIa2bi8jM-xVozGZUG7yYqK-A0oO-nP3g6x783BBmt566J2PLo0wJtBzBQRSXeTnnKHOsTrsLjX2XwxDETtATlNk/w400-h210/240309Ramos.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Tampa Bay General Manager Chuck LeMar described the enthusiasm of Devil Rays' Gulf Coast League <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ramosbo01.shtml" target="_blank">Bobby Ramos</a> <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-bobby-ramos-july-23/143024522/" target="_blank">to The Tampa Tribune</a> in July 1997, as an enthusiasm fit for his GCL surroundings.<p></p><p>"I've seen staff members try to be as enthusiastic as Bobby Ramos, but it's hard," LeMar <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-bobby-ramos-july-23/143024522/" target="_blank">told The Tribune</a>. "What you see in him is true heart and passion for the game. He wears his emotions on his sleeve. He lives and dies with the success and failure of his players."</p><p>Ramos gained that enthusiasm through a pro baseball career that had, to that point, spanned more than two decades <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ramosbo01.shtml" target="_blank">as a player</a> and coach. He went on to continue for at least another decade-plus, spending much of that time as a bullpen coach in the majors.</p><p>Ramos' career in baseball began in 1974, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/16910/#google_vignette" target="_blank">taken by the Expos</a> in the seventh round of the draft out of Miami Jackson High School in Florida.</p><p>Ramos went to school in Florida, having been born in Cuba. His father had to work in the sugar cane fields to get the government to let Ramos emigrate to the United States at age 13, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-bobby-ramos-march-31-1983/143027263/" target="_blank">The Montreal Gazette wrote</a> years later.</p><p>Ramos started with the Expos in the <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ramos-001rob" target="_blank">rookie Gulf Coast League</a>. He moved to single-A West Palm Beach in 1975, then made AA Memphis, AAA Denver and Montreal for two games in 1978.</p><p>The catcher <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ramosbo01.shtml" target="_blank">returned to Montreal</a> for 13 games in 1980, 26 games in 1981 and four in 1982. He made Montreal for 27 games in 1983 and a final 31 in 1984. In all, he played in 103 major league contests over six seasons and hit .190.</p><p>Ramos continued <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ramos-001rob" target="_blank">on in the minors</a> through 1988, playing in the Angels, Cubs, Royals and Giants systems.</p><p>Ramos then turned coach with the Astros at AA Columbus in 1989. He moved to high-A Osceola for 1990. By 1993, he was manager at single-A Asheville. He explained his approach as manager <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-bobby-ramos-ap/143034992/" target="_blank">to The Asheville Citizen-Times</a> that April. </p><p>"You can't take anything for granted," Ramos <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-bobby-ramos-ap/143034992/" target="_blank">told The Citizen-Times</a>, "at this level, this stage.. Some of the Latin kids have played winter ball, but, for most of them, it's the first time away from home. ... As long as the kids give me 100 percent on the field, there's no problem."</p><p>Ramos moved to the Rays and the GCL for 1997. For 1998, he joined them as bullpen coach in Tampa Bay. He saw the majors again in 2000 with the Angels as bullpen coach, serving three years, including their 2002 title. He then returned to the Rays for 2006 as bullpen coach. He stayed in that role <a href="https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2011/11/30/former-coach-ramos-disappointed-but-healthy-again/" target="_blank">through 2011</a>. He then <a href="https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2011/12/22/ex-bullpen-coach-ramos-takes-job-with-marlins/" target="_blank">joined the Marlins</a> as minor league Latin coordinator.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6KmaRS9o4unfQtbIKz4B9L99Jb5AV58zHEOSmgrNm_tK5Q09ZDzkLOqZZIwZvGFxjINoKGW8EkUpOB-27mcEYd5LgXKnT0Eltrib3tbtgAGULIpf5p9vgxMeGOwSEeH0bo7ianxkjQ-0Za8JUfElLIgKer3n639JzMY7do0gYtkMj_bbqrTolTybdLQ/s350/StarOsc29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bobby Ramos 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6KmaRS9o4unfQtbIKz4B9L99Jb5AV58zHEOSmgrNm_tK5Q09ZDzkLOqZZIwZvGFxjINoKGW8EkUpOB-27mcEYd5LgXKnT0Eltrib3tbtgAGULIpf5p9vgxMeGOwSEeH0bo7ianxkjQ-0Za8JUfElLIgKer3n639JzMY7do0gYtkMj_bbqrTolTybdLQ/w229-h320/StarOsc29.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-bobby-ramos-march-31-1983/143027263/" target="_blank">Montreal Gazette, March 31, 1983: Ramos the survivor doesn't ask 'why?'</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-bobby-ramos-ap/143034992/" target="_blank">Asheville Citizen-Times, April 8, 1993: Tourists</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-bobby-ramos-july-23/143024522/" target="_blank">Tampa Tribune, July 23, 1997: Ramos like a Ray of sunshine</a></li></ul><p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><div><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div><br /></div><b style="text-align: left;"></b></div><div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,323<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,397-32.3%<b>-X</b><br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,926-67.7%</div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>569<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>351</div></div>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-35337764074714664082024-03-07T22:40:00.001-05:002024-03-07T22:40:20.131-05:00Brian Griffiths picked up confidence then saw 6 pro seasons<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2vkW_HYlOO5CumSpfeozy1JgrqLnkIVipTcUeapT0A8o-C2mk-MKfpR3Pp5RinfNKtvbeU4gf5ANWPcMJ0rgnrVq9fOFdDEFEu69TrKlSSIA7CKs3bLvOIK2qiq0RKQqd3tFtNOMFeyVLYDEmU3-SmjEvhXrsp-NNFHFD9DyYqg2ha5sIYkWAOkKj-Y/s800/240307Griffiths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brian Griffiths 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2vkW_HYlOO5CumSpfeozy1JgrqLnkIVipTcUeapT0A8o-C2mk-MKfpR3Pp5RinfNKtvbeU4gf5ANWPcMJ0rgnrVq9fOFdDEFEu69TrKlSSIA7CKs3bLvOIK2qiq0RKQqd3tFtNOMFeyVLYDEmU3-SmjEvhXrsp-NNFHFD9DyYqg2ha5sIYkWAOkKj-Y/w400-h210/240307Griffiths.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Asheville Tourists starter <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=griffi001bri" target="_blank">Brian Griffiths</a> had a rough start to 1989. But he gained but he started to gain his footing in one May start and really showed it in the next, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-brian-griffiths/142915167/" target="_blank">The Asheville Citizen-Times wrote</a>.<p></p><p>He did so by throwing a three-hitter in a 4-1 win, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-brian-griffiths/142915167/" target="_blank">The Citizen-Times wrote</a>.</p><p>"His last start he began picking up his confidence," Asheville manager Jim Coveney <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-brian-griffiths/142915167/" target="_blank">told The Citizen-Times</a> of Griffiths. "And tonight he was really confident, having fun out there. He was smiling between innings, having a good time."</p><p>Griffiths ultimately took that confidence on to four more pro seasons, for six campaigns in all. He <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=griffi001bri" target="_blank">topped out at AA</a>.</p><p>Griffiths' career began in 1988, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/80613/" target="_blank">taken by the Astros</a> in the ninth round of the draft out of Mount Hood Community College in Oregon.</p><p>Griffiths started with the Astros in the <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=griffi001bri" target="_blank">rookie Gulf Coast League</a>. He went 2-6, with a 2.95 ERA over 14 outings, seven starts.</p><p>He <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=griffi001bri" target="_blank">moved to Asheville</a> for 1989. He ended the year with a 6.14 ERA and a 6-9 record over 22 starts.</p><p>He <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=griffi001bri" target="_blank">made high-A Osceola</a> for 1990, then returned there for 1991. He went 4-3 in 1991, with a 1.92 ERA in 18 outings, eight starts.</p><p>That August in 1991, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-brian-griffiths-a/142916974/" target="_blank">The Orlando Sentinel noted</a> he'd worked on his control and it was showing.</p><p>"Brian always has known he could throw hard and, for a while, thought that was all he had to do to win," Osceola pitching coach Jack Billingham <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-brian-griffiths-a/142916974/" target="_blank">told The Sentinel</a>. "... We finally convinced Brian there's a plate he has to throw over."</p><p>Griffiths <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=griffi001bri" target="_blank">made AA Jackson</a> for 1992. He saw 17 starts and went 3-9, with a 3.80 ERA. That April, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-brian-griffiths-april-2/142918420/" target="_blank">The Jackson Clarion-Ledger noted</a> after a win Griffiths sprinting to the mound and then off it when he was through.</p><p>"I get kind of excited when it's my turn to throw," Griffiths <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-brian-griffiths-april-2/142918420/" target="_blank">told The Clarion-Ledger</a>. "I want to get out there and get going. When I leave, I go in (the locker room). I can't control what happens anymore, so there's no need for me to hang around and worry about it."</p><p>Griffiths was then <a href="https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/291/cid/107858/1993-Topps-483-Brian-Griffiths" target="_blank">traded to the new Marlins</a> and moved to the Giants <a href="https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/60206/cid/3542152/1993-Fleer-ProCards-2752-Brian-Griffiths" target="_blank">in another trade</a>. He played the 1993 season at AA Shreveport. He saw 23 starts there and went 5-11, with a 4.85 ERA to <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=griffi001bri" target="_blank">end his career</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjid_87lvXPDKVdqyxbhK81ayR90VL6PX9yddQwnSBiKi70a1BqbxaZFT_XDPYhBk9w_Tgc6DsMB0jkQnGBxdjTEdn00h6EXXY63wUVngMFfLVLkIVEllkXOGkLV5jPdQpE8sJGoBrBo5-Mo6fa1Rdcf71oPbDb46ByNC5sJKqLGOPW4Qoc5kglg3pUR9A/s350/StarOsc08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brian Griffiths 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="247" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjid_87lvXPDKVdqyxbhK81ayR90VL6PX9yddQwnSBiKi70a1BqbxaZFT_XDPYhBk9w_Tgc6DsMB0jkQnGBxdjTEdn00h6EXXY63wUVngMFfLVLkIVEllkXOGkLV5jPdQpE8sJGoBrBo5-Mo6fa1Rdcf71oPbDb46ByNC5sJKqLGOPW4Qoc5kglg3pUR9A/w226-h320/StarOsc08.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-brian-griffiths/142915167/" target="_blank">Asheville Citizen-Times, May 17, 1989: Griffiths Goes From Also-Ran To Ace In Tourists' Win</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-brian-griffiths-a/142916974/" target="_blank">Orlando Sentinel, Aug. 11, 1991: Astros' Griffiths takes control</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-brian-griffiths-april-2/142918420/" target="_blank">Jackson Clarion-Ledger, April 21, 1992: Gens' Griffiths dodges commotion, carts away victory</a></li></ul><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div><br /></div><b style="text-align: left;"></b></div><div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,322<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,396-32.3%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,926-67.7%<b>-X</b></div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>569<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>351</div></div>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-43363036684786900092024-03-06T21:21:00.001-05:002024-03-06T21:21:54.639-05:00Brad Shores worked as trainer, determined who could play<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3v8vUscmqRkHLolhFZEJ34yMmme_xJOTgPCpNJv_ypdeOqFgh4ROPBP9CtEVhU-NySQ41mwrx6W04LBdF2MMpFG3XD9OEgthNenRCUgiF3IeFS2j6VIUVVyB2Er7y0vKWiEjKY8mobtgE1w4RLfmR4i03HJPtK_Z6uOCok1IxIUe3H2ZoVa-Jm_hTFIw/s800/240306Shores.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brad Shores 1990 Appleton Foxes card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3v8vUscmqRkHLolhFZEJ34yMmme_xJOTgPCpNJv_ypdeOqFgh4ROPBP9CtEVhU-NySQ41mwrx6W04LBdF2MMpFG3XD9OEgthNenRCUgiF3IeFS2j6VIUVVyB2Er7y0vKWiEjKY8mobtgE1w4RLfmR4i03HJPtK_Z6uOCok1IxIUe3H2ZoVa-Jm_hTFIw/w400-h210/240306Shores.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Appleton Foxes trainer Brad Shores described the nature of pitching and its effects on the body <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-brad-shores-july-16/142841220/" target="_blank">to The Appleton Post-Crescent</a> in July 1989.<p></p><p>"There are a lot of large muscles in the chest and upper back that come into play in an underhanded motion. The overhand motions, on the other hand, involves small muscles," Shores <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-brad-shores-july-16/142841220/" target="_blank">told The Post-Crescent</a>. "There is not as much clashing with bones underhanded."</p><p>Shores <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-brad-shores-july-16/142841220/" target="_blank">spoke to The Post-Crescent</a> in his first season as Appleton trainer and fourth season overall training in the Royals minor leagues. He went on to see two more seasons, then use his expertise elsewhere.</p><p>Shores' training career began in 1985, <a href="https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/59497/cid/3329867/1989-ProCards-Minor-League-Team-Sets-869-Brad-Shores" target="_blank">out of Central Connecticut State University</a>.</p><p>As a senior there, Shores served as a trainer for the school's football team, making calls on whether players could return to games. "We say he can't play or he can play," Shores <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-brad-shores-sept-25/142841832/" target="_blank">told The Hartford Courant</a> in September 1984.</p><p>Shores then served as athletic trainer <a href="https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/59497/cid/3329867/1989-ProCards-Minor-League-Team-Sets-869-Brad-Shores" target="_blank">at Yale University</a> in 1985 and 1986. He then joined the Royals, as trainer at single-A Burlington.</p><p>He spent 1987 as trainer at single-A Sarasota and 1988 in the <a href="https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/59497/cid/3329867/1989-ProCards-Minor-League-Team-Sets-869-Brad-Shores" target="_blank">rookie Gulf Coast League</a>. He arrived at Appleton for 1989 and returned there for 1990 and again in 1991.</p><p>In that off-seasons then, Shores worked in the <a href="https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/70414/cid/5099041/1991-Classic-Best-Appleton-Foxes-21-Brad-Shores" target="_blank">outpatient physical therapy department</a> of Appleton's St. Elizabeth's Hospital and as an outreach athletic trainer at local high schools.</p><p>Shores then went into physical therapy and went into foot health. Most recently, he <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-shores-a5152431/" target="_blank">worked as an orthotist</a>, making custom molded foot orthotics in the Boston area.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYt29fLubJeBILzkRL2xabO06OxrXpZNXsFLQhbJV31OSNyAP98293wHQueJ1i5-2pp_h8JzpfORrL3OVE0iPPO6CjGWM9yzd-MARV38M6JssyM4fKnqtH0ZoBPKLbmxYuWtfBqnZH8sme4hJ6Tslx03HbN7xc0BvQoa108ofzIz1Hi2kGYQw-FuUPqM/s1000/DiaApp30.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brad Shores 1990 Appleton Foxes card" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="711" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYt29fLubJeBILzkRL2xabO06OxrXpZNXsFLQhbJV31OSNyAP98293wHQueJ1i5-2pp_h8JzpfORrL3OVE0iPPO6CjGWM9yzd-MARV38M6JssyM4fKnqtH0ZoBPKLbmxYuWtfBqnZH8sme4hJ6Tslx03HbN7xc0BvQoa108ofzIz1Hi2kGYQw-FuUPqM/w228-h320/DiaApp30.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-brad-shores-sept-25/142841832/" target="_blank">Hartford Courant, Sept. 25, 1984: Neighbors</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-brad-shores-july-16/142841220/" target="_blank">Appleton Post-Crescent, July 16 , 1989: Arm trouble: Every pitcher's fear</a></li></ul><p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><div><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2014/05/1990-appleton-foxes.html">The 1990 Appleton Foxes</a></b></div><div><br /></div><b style="text-align: left;"></b></div><div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,321<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,396-32.3%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,925-67.7%<b>-X</b></div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>569<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>351</div></div>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-31712683664610554042024-03-05T22:07:00.001-05:002024-03-05T22:08:29.597-05:00Gabriel Rodriguez walked Griffey at AA, played 6 seasons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP95JkgHWHDzKTUllAz2g6fyrxGAyuBwhOfmYS4Y5xX__3XsjTL4i6ApDBOQy50zf8TZIOdQtv3k05POfKwZL-Yr2C_gX1oDj3T2VV5QgGbLXRapplpe1VeTBzaHEVPxYLh2ido-MplWpSvIsxMUcHSe9Ievg8LVdg8rp4OQeQcLZQMHnBQuYfDPzonY/s800/240305Rodriguez.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gabriel Rodriguez 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP95JkgHWHDzKTUllAz2g6fyrxGAyuBwhOfmYS4Y5xX__3XsjTL4i6ApDBOQy50zf8TZIOdQtv3k05POfKwZL-Yr2C_gX1oDj3T2VV5QgGbLXRapplpe1VeTBzaHEVPxYLh2ido-MplWpSvIsxMUcHSe9Ievg8LVdg8rp4OQeQcLZQMHnBQuYfDPzonY/w400-h210/240305Rodriguez.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Albany Yankee reliever <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig003gab" target="_blank">Gabriel Rodriguez</a> likely <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-gabriel-rodrig/142772847/" target="_blank">did the prudent thing</a> in this August 1988 game.<p>Coming in the final inning with the tying run on second, he pitched around then-minor leaguer and Vermont Mariner Ken Griffey, Jr., walking him on four pitches, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-gabriel-rodrig/142772847/" target="_blank">The Burlington Free Press wrote</a>.</p><p>It was just that he made a mistake with the next batter, giving up a lead-changing home run, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-gabriel-rodrig/142772847/" target="_blank">The Free Press wrote</a>.</p><p>Rodriguez gave up that home run in his fourth season as a pro. He went on to see two more. He <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig003gab" target="_blank">topped out there at AA</a>.</p><p>Rodriguez' career began in 1985, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/140267/" target="_blank">signed by the Yankees</a> as a free agent out of his native Puerto Rico.</p><p>Rodriguez started with the Yankees in the <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig003gab" target="_blank">rookie Gulf Coast League</a>. He saw 13 games in relief that year and 19 more there in 1986. He went 2-1, with a 2.85 ERA in 1986.</p><p>Rodriguez saw <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig003gab" target="_blank">two more games</a> in the GCL in 1987 and then 14 at single-A Fort Lauderdale. He went 2-2 there, with a 4.14 ERA over 14 outings, one start. He gave up an <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-lauderdale-news-gabriel-rodriguez/142773762/" target="_blank">18th-inning game-winner</a> in an August game.</p><p>He returned to Fort Lauderdale for 1988 and also saw <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig003gab" target="_blank">AA Albany-Colonie</a>. He saw 23 outings, eight starts at Albany. He went 2-5, with a 3.34 ERA. That September, he <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-gabriel-rodrig/142776629/" target="_blank"> picked up the last out</a> in the first game of the league championship series for Albany, an Albany win.</p><p>Rodriguez played at Fort Lauderdale again for 1989. He saw 13 relief outings. He then moved to the Astros and high-A Osceola. He saw 51 relief outings, went 12-5 and saved 10 over 51 relief outings. That season proved his <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rodrig003gab" target="_blank">last as a pro</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeImesHDDalZn4M_RO37fHeMe5BfI-SSHjsFXlMn5igYi7Luh56waJGlpN2HOpt6EomIorO_AmwWskyY2RwT3Hfpm1I9Q4ESGz34abJhMZzkn3mSO7c_IJgsDlNZTvFx_ZnUm9kIe4uJU83gD80pR5ANUPh8kzj5ZUkAx3BYYvwH_05Ljr-3e4uMXoko/s350/StarOsc25.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gabriel Rodriguez 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="245" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeImesHDDalZn4M_RO37fHeMe5BfI-SSHjsFXlMn5igYi7Luh56waJGlpN2HOpt6EomIorO_AmwWskyY2RwT3Hfpm1I9Q4ESGz34abJhMZzkn3mSO7c_IJgsDlNZTvFx_ZnUm9kIe4uJU83gD80pR5ANUPh8kzj5ZUkAx3BYYvwH_05Ljr-3e4uMXoko/w224-h320/StarOsc25.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-gabriel-rodrig/142772847/" target="_blank">Burlington Free Press, Aug. 31, 1988: M's end season with sweep</a></li></ul><p></p><p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><div><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div><br /></div><b style="text-align: left;"></b></div><div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,320<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,396-32.3%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,924-67.7%<b>-X</b></div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>569<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>351</div></div>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-14555439973834950482024-03-03T22:10:00.001-05:002024-03-03T22:10:42.141-05:00Mike Sarbaugh worked hard, saw 6 seasons, made bigs as coach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGoE-bELOhL5YwVwq8lfamDeK8_sobb5kGg6DKHWAfmBnTVOVFtGn5Tkyc9OsBZ3JHojtDKkalhdRgpKVSXlp31yho2MAMU-CG9kGsfSiwan9TjYESZTVGyeD6BdhuDKOim0nXhvo2CEjSoYeeS0h_jWHMwPxmghgxqpk68y0YJa7O-cVh6WTpSKOV8tI/s800/240303Sarbaugh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mike Sarbaugh 1990 Reno Silver Sox card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGoE-bELOhL5YwVwq8lfamDeK8_sobb5kGg6DKHWAfmBnTVOVFtGn5Tkyc9OsBZ3JHojtDKkalhdRgpKVSXlp31yho2MAMU-CG9kGsfSiwan9TjYESZTVGyeD6BdhuDKOim0nXhvo2CEjSoYeeS0h_jWHMwPxmghgxqpk68y0YJa7O-cVh6WTpSKOV8tI/w400-h210/240303Sarbaugh.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />After a quarter century in the game, all spent in the minors, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=sarbau001jam" target="_blank">Mike Sarbaugh</a> got his first chance at a major league job in 2013 with the Indians, as the club's first base coach, <a href="https://www.news-herald.com/2014/08/05/eastlake-to-the-show-mike-sarbaugh-enjoyed-strong-run-as-minor-league-manager/" target="_blank">The News-Herald in Lake County, Ohio, wrote</a>.<p>Sarbaugh had <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=sarbau001jam" target="_blank">played in the minors</a>, coached there and managed there. </p><p>"A lot of memories flooded back, memories of all the hard work and all the people who helped me get to that point," Sarbaugh <a href="https://www.news-herald.com/2014/08/05/eastlake-to-the-show-mike-sarbaugh-enjoyed-strong-run-as-minor-league-manager/" target="_blank">told The News-Herald</a> of his reaction to the news.</p><p>Sarbaugh's playing days, however, took him to six seasons and a brief, six-game <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=sarbau001jam" target="_blank">look at AAA</a>. </p><p>Sarbaugh's career began in 1989, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/133154/" target="_blank">signed by the Brewers</a> as an undrafted free agent out of Lamar University in Texas.</p><p>Sarbaugh started with the Brewers, playing between single-A Beloit and rookie ball. By 1990, he was with the Indians at high-A Reno. He also saw high-A Kinston. He also <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/intelligencer-journal-mike-sarbaugh-se/142632797/" target="_blank">looked ahead to 1991</a> at year's end.</p><p>"I'll just go to spring training and try to make the club," Sarbaugh <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/intelligencer-journal-mike-sarbaugh-se/142632797/" target="_blank">told The Lancaster Intelligencer Journal</a>. "If you do well, they have to send you somewhere. I don't try to expect things. Lots of times, when you expect things, they don't happen."</p><p>Sarbaugh briefly <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=sarbau001jam" target="_blank">made AA Canton-Akron</a> in 1991, then saw it for a shortened 38-game 1992 and returned for 85 games in 1993. He hit .249 there in 1993.</p><p>He saw one more season at Canton-Akron and got a four-game look at AAA Charlotte in 1995. He hit .270 that year, his <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=sarbau001jam" target="_blank">last as a pro</a>.</p><p>Sarbaugh then turned to coaching. He first served <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/133154/jobs/" target="_blank">as hitting coach</a> at Kinston, then at single-A Columbus. He returned to Akron as hitting coach in 2001, then saw AAA Buffalo in 2003.</p><p>He got his first managerial job at <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/133154/jobs/" target="_blank">short-season Mahoning Valley</a> in 2004. He then managed at Lake County, Kinston, Akron and AAA Columbus in 2010.</p><p>In 2013, the Indians called on him as first base coach. He stayed with the big club as a base coach through 2023. For 2024, he <a href="https://lancasteronline.com/sports/mlb/donegal-grad-mike-sarbaugh-finds-new-home-as-third-base-coach-for-new-york-mets/article_3cfec462-9883-11ee-bb7c-93fa6db45091.html" target="_blank">moved to the Mets</a> as third base and infield coach.</p><p>"You just keep enjoying it," Sarbaugh <a href="https://lancasteronline.com/sports/mlb/donegal-grad-mike-sarbaugh-finds-new-home-as-third-base-coach-for-new-york-mets/article_3cfec462-9883-11ee-bb7c-93fa6db45091.html" target="_blank">told Lancaster Online</a> in December 2023 of his time in the pros. "You get a passion for it. You turn around and it's 30 years later."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3htjIT3eEguw6DiI-bH0xrwULu1RMjEe_7U9fb0bEMWQpkQ8Nck0IDKBddwJn2Rtu5kg0DIMB3JKqoDqzaUcCfcCmKgwBfTH7O12qnLjhoDNwji5dJ8_8-MlR_9RbVwfu5ICyoM6bRNraUVb1UgSO8pGosT_W47JuUJ4_yvrg-6XHLkVn4eU_H4j71c/s350/CalReno46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mike Sarbaugh 1990 Reno Silver Sox card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="247" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3htjIT3eEguw6DiI-bH0xrwULu1RMjEe_7U9fb0bEMWQpkQ8Nck0IDKBddwJn2Rtu5kg0DIMB3JKqoDqzaUcCfcCmKgwBfTH7O12qnLjhoDNwji5dJ8_8-MlR_9RbVwfu5ICyoM6bRNraUVb1UgSO8pGosT_W47JuUJ4_yvrg-6XHLkVn4eU_H4j71c/w226-h320/CalReno46.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/intelligencer-journal-mike-sarbaugh-se/142632797/v" target="_blank">Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, Sept. 27, 1990: Sarbaugh, minor leaguers call year successful</a></li><li><a href="https://www.news-herald.com/2014/08/05/eastlake-to-the-show-mike-sarbaugh-enjoyed-strong-run-as-minor-league-manager/" target="_blank">Lake County News-Herald, Aug. 5, 2014: Eastlake to the Show</a></li><li><a href="https://lancasteronline.com/sports/mlb/donegal-grad-mike-sarbaugh-finds-new-home-as-third-base-coach-for-new-york-mets/article_3cfec462-9883-11ee-bb7c-93fa6db45091.html" target="_blank">Lancaster Online, Dec. 11, 2023: Donegal grad Mike Sarbaugh finds new home</a></li></ul><p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><div><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2020/12/1990-reno-silver-sox-california-league.html">The 1990 Reno Silver Sox</a></b></div><div><br /></div><b style="text-align: left;"></b></div><div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,319<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,396-32.3%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,923-67.7%<b>-X</b></div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>569<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>351</div></div>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-60048678149748923492024-03-02T22:18:00.002-05:002024-03-02T22:18:09.262-05:00John Massarelli showed positive attitude over decade in pros<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYk6InFXhjkSOJsyUMOoXwKRskV-PtiqkkocBX1GIr_wx4d1-SIN7dGxlqrOqDTdarBPtXKP8Ggbj443RfSbA3MR0MY4VwBLYy67TvLYgdjHZmOGA5qTWPJpOKr2t74XydFyqnsXP-eniP0-v10LBLx8KHVfxVPUDEnjlItsuunTFzp9B4YNJb-L3Ltfc/s800/240302Massarelli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="John Massarelli 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYk6InFXhjkSOJsyUMOoXwKRskV-PtiqkkocBX1GIr_wx4d1-SIN7dGxlqrOqDTdarBPtXKP8Ggbj443RfSbA3MR0MY4VwBLYy67TvLYgdjHZmOGA5qTWPJpOKr2t74XydFyqnsXP-eniP0-v10LBLx8KHVfxVPUDEnjlItsuunTFzp9B4YNJb-L3Ltfc/w400-h210/240302Massarelli.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Going into his fifth pro season in 1991, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=massar001joh" target="_blank">John Massarelli</a> hoped to start at AA. Instead, he started where he'd played the previous year, high-A Osceola, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-john-massarelli-j/142554060/" target="_blank">The Orlando Sentinel wrote</a>.
<p>Massarelli chose to respond with a positive attitude, he <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-john-massarelli-j/142554060/" target="_blank">told The Sentinel</a>.</p><p>"I had to realize anybody can only control what you can control, and that means I have to go out and play hard," Massarelli <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-john-massarelli-j/142554060/" target="_blank">told The Sentinel</a> that June.</p><p>Massarelli work was soon rewarded with a promotion to AA Jackson and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=massar001joh" target="_blank">even AAA Tucson</a>. But, in a career that spanned a decade, he never could make the bigs.</p><p>Massarelli's career began in 1987, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/87529/" target="_blank">taken by the Astros</a> in the eighth round of the draft out of the University of Akron.</p><p>Massarelli started with the Astros at short-season Auburn and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=massar001joh" target="_blank">single-A Asheville</a>. He hit .206 in 29 games.</p><p>He returned to Auburn for 1988, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=massar001joh" target="_blank">then Asheville</a> in 1989. He hit .248 in 90 games at Asheville. After Osceola in 1990, where he stole 54 bases, he saw 12 games at Jackson in 1991 and then 46 games at AAA Tucson. He hit .268 at Tucson.</p><p>Massarelli split 1992 between Jackson and Tucson, then played 1993 completely at Tucson. He hit .281 in 114 games. That May, he started a ninth-inning rally, singling and stealing second, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/tucson-citizen-john-massarelli-may-12/142558619/" target="_blank">The Tucson Citizen wrote</a>.</p><p>"I like leading off the inning because I feel with my speed, I can make things happen,," Massarelli <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/tucson-citizen-john-massarelli-may-12/142558619/" target="_blank">told The Citizen</a>. "It's part of hustling throughout the game."</p><p>He moved to the Marlins and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=massar001joh" target="_blank">AAA Edmonton</a> for 1994, then to the Indians for 1995 at AA Canton-Akron and AAA Charlotte. He then finished out his career with the Padres in 1996 between AA Memphis and high-A Rancho Cucamonga.</p><p>By 1998, he started a career as a coach at Walsh University, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-john-massarelli/142559954/" target="_blank">The Akron Beacon Journal</a>.</p><p>"I was so happy to bring in another assistant coach," Walsh head coach Tim Mead <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-john-massarelli/142559954/" target="_blank">told The Beacon Journal</a>. "And John not only brought his experience, but also his passion for teaching the game."</p><p>Massarelli then returned to the pros. He managed with the Astros at short-season Auburn, then single-A Michigan for 2001 and high-A Salem for 2003. For 2004, he <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/87529/jobs/" target="_blank">moved to independent ball</a> at Washington. He's most recently credited as manager at independent Kansas City in 2015.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeyrCvkVXDSULNzGt1ILbIQQEzTFyNpwDE1AgzUaKXCd3YxY9dWWbc8RPjCpSp5FKJktE6bgjvW_p4FMxllqriY4usLlssT76o62aOmwHqoCzWabO09F1xTAM2gVfZXhg9d20IECByKmh8PiXPuyZ0rKzplWrwLTTPumr_djOI2pdI_3pz0yas0BgVek/s350/StarOsc20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="John Massarelli 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="248" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeyrCvkVXDSULNzGt1ILbIQQEzTFyNpwDE1AgzUaKXCd3YxY9dWWbc8RPjCpSp5FKJktE6bgjvW_p4FMxllqriY4usLlssT76o62aOmwHqoCzWabO09F1xTAM2gVfZXhg9d20IECByKmh8PiXPuyZ0rKzplWrwLTTPumr_djOI2pdI_3pz0yas0BgVek/w227-h320/StarOsc20.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-john-massarelli-j/142554060/" target="_blank">Orlando Sentinel, June 9, 1991: Catcher finds it hard to advance</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/tucson-citizen-john-massarelli-may-12/142558619/" target="_blank">Tucson Citizen, May 12, 1993: Lately, team finds victory</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-john-massarelli/142559954/" target="_blank">Akron Beacon Journal, March 1, 1998: Minor-league veteran moves on to coaching</a></li></ul><p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,318<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,396-32.3%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,922-67.7%<b>-X</b></div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>569<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>351<b>-X</b></div></div>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-61478516330209434922024-02-29T22:44:00.002-05:002024-02-29T22:44:36.074-05:00Manny Acta played in minors, became manager, trusted voice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQw7sZHpZVlLvIJvmHixra7mzlU2pff81VnIXV0TJ5gdnbN3J940TcQrcvEEjtyDGzoiG9Yu46mlUmvingXWH-j0RKcvdEIAWfX0fLdfgbwKPrsgx-Ptil004sAESVt5yW8WNXG7ZlzwEEopGEs2aB0avUkEWn-lPt54ZItcV-MgnXrKP-Q25uT6deaUo/s800/240229ACTA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Manny Acta 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQw7sZHpZVlLvIJvmHixra7mzlU2pff81VnIXV0TJ5gdnbN3J940TcQrcvEEjtyDGzoiG9Yu46mlUmvingXWH-j0RKcvdEIAWfX0fLdfgbwKPrsgx-Ptil004sAESVt5yW8WNXG7ZlzwEEopGEs2aB0avUkEWn-lPt54ZItcV-MgnXrKP-Q25uT6deaUo/w400-h210/240229ACTA.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Former Nationals and Indians manager <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=acta--001man" target="_blank">Manny Acta</a> joined the Mariners as third base coach in 2015 and later moved to <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/136787/" target="_blank">bench coaching duties</a>.
<p>The Mariners needed Acta's experience in the dugout, Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/136787/" target="_blank">told MLB.com</a> in February 2018.</p><p>"He was already running a good deal of the bench-coach duties, and the one thing we didn't let him do was influence the in-game situations," Dipoto <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/136787/" target="_blank">told MLB.com</a>. "But by bringing him in the dugout, he's a natural source. He's an ally and a trusted voice."</p><p>Acta gained that experience over three decades in the game, first as a player and then as a young manager in the minors, then in the majors as a <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=acta--001man" target="_blank">manager and coach</a>.</p><p>Acta's career began in 1987, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/136787/" target="_blank">signed by the Astros</a> out of his native Dominican Republic.</p><p>Acta started with the Astros in the rookie <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=acta--001man" target="_blank">Gulf Coast League</a>. He moved to single-A Osceola for 1988, then saw 41 games between AA Columbus and Osceola for 1989.</p><p>In July 1990, at high-A Osceola, he <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-manny-acta-jun/142415910/" target="_blank">spoke to The Associated Press</a> about language issues.</p><p>"When I started, language was a big problem. If you didn't understand a coach, he didn't say, 'He doesn't speak English.' He said, "This guy is stupid," Acta <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-manny-acta-jun/142415910/" target="_blank">told The AP</a>. "Now every rookie team has a Spanish speaker and they pay for English school."</p><p>He saw 44 <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=acta--001man" target="_blank">games at Osceola</a> that year and 41 games at Columbus. He finished out his playing career in 1991 at single-A Burlington.</p><p>Acta then got his first managerial job at <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-star-manny-acta-june-17-1993/142418012/" target="_blank">short-season Auburn</a> for 1993, at age 24. He then stayed at Auburn for four seasons. He managed 1997 at <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/136787/jobs/" target="_blank">single-A Quad City</a>. He served as hitting coach at AAA New Orleans for 2001.</p><p>For 2002, he made the majors as <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/136787/jobs/" target="_blank">third base coach</a> with the Expos. He moved to the Mets in 2005. Then, in 2007, he became manager of the Nationals. He managed there three seasons before <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=4597225" target="_blank">joining the Indians</a> as manager in 2010.</p><p>"We went through a thorough process, talked to people who had managed against him and played for him at every level," Indians general manager Mark Shapiro <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=4597225" target="_blank">told reporters</a> of the hire, "and the same kind of comments about Manny kept coming through -- his character, his resourcefulness, his desire to continue to improve, his ability to teach and bring the best out of players.</p><p>Acta stayed with the Indians <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/136787/jobs/" target="_blank">three seasons</a>. He later joined the Mariners. He continues with the Mariners in 2024 as <a href="https://www.mlb.com/mariners/roster/coaches" target="_blank">third base coach</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWazkt22-VViZkFpg8TTz8rAiCUpwikfaJf7VUmP0baQpmvItcQ-Eu3LVF5kV_iN7tAwdjuaZPE7pvoyIj71Bg0r8eUftvxRGd-Md1SyTwopGd3ibG5VuLHospfa77dSSoQ7-nR2dusIieEReEfOAMb67vK1VcnDPQPvPnAObYLU-hkcqoXfVwl5IoMU/s350/StarOsc01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Manny Acta 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="249" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWazkt22-VViZkFpg8TTz8rAiCUpwikfaJf7VUmP0baQpmvItcQ-Eu3LVF5kV_iN7tAwdjuaZPE7pvoyIj71Bg0r8eUftvxRGd-Md1SyTwopGd3ibG5VuLHospfa77dSSoQ7-nR2dusIieEReEfOAMb67vK1VcnDPQPvPnAObYLU-hkcqoXfVwl5IoMU/w228-h320/StarOsc01.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-manny-acta-jun/142415910/" target="_blank">Lexington Herald-Leader, Associated Press, June 23, 1990: American pastime, Dominican dream</a></li><li><a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=4597225q " target="_blank">ESPN.com, Oct. 26, 2009: Indians introduce Acta</a></li><li><a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/136787/" target="_blank">MLB.com, Feb. 6, 2018: Acta's wealth of knowledge big help to Mariners</a></li></ul><p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,317<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,396-32.4%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,921-67.2%</div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>569<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>350</div></div>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-66409988323364685862024-02-28T22:52:00.006-05:002024-02-28T22:52:37.719-05:00Pat Wernig settled in for AAA no-hitter, saw 7 pro seasons<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3_PlMBkM7CzOD0v0LF_lJHbWQG4zpHrvm5MssdRZZKzHzSvFddjS5OiVWJy_2_OG9C3heWIH9TioqrMutcTOXjyE2K1n4-kwJrAqitw58xidTJfedRMzzcbwrFv-KcK0zXrqpZW1P2JcRlFJjrxqXywDnL-Gy3fWJ7jjvV4iIht30eDfF5hSQ6nMyVs/s800/240228Wernig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pat Wernig 1990 Huntsville Stars card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3_PlMBkM7CzOD0v0LF_lJHbWQG4zpHrvm5MssdRZZKzHzSvFddjS5OiVWJy_2_OG9C3heWIH9TioqrMutcTOXjyE2K1n4-kwJrAqitw58xidTJfedRMzzcbwrFv-KcK0zXrqpZW1P2JcRlFJjrxqXywDnL-Gy3fWJ7jjvV4iIht30eDfF5hSQ6nMyVs/w400-h210/240228Wernig.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Tacoma starter <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wernig001pat" target="_blank">Pat Wernig</a> thought he struggled over the first few innings of this June 1991 game, then settled in and cruised, he <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-pat-wernig-jun/142343837/" target="_blank">told The Richmond Times-Dispatch</a>.<p></p><p>By the time the last out came, a pop to right, Wernig <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-pat-wernig-jun/142343837/" target="_blank">had a no-hitter</a>.</p><p>"It was kind of shocking," Wernig <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-pat-wernig-jun/142343837/" target="_blank">told his hometown Times-Dispatch</a>. "Everybody was going nuts. I said, 'Wow. I did it."</p><p>Wernig threw that no-hitter in his fifth season as a pro and his first at AAA. He saw two more pro seasons, but he <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wernig001pat" target="_blank">topped out there at AAA</a>.</p><p>Wernig's career began in 1987, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/99566/" target="_blank">taken by the Athletics</a> in the 15th round of the draft out of Texas A&M University.</p><p>Wernig started with the Athletics between <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wernig001pat" target="_blank">short-season Medford</a> and single-A Modesto. He went 2-4 between them, over 23 outings, three starts, with a 4.74 ERA.</p><p>He moved to <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wernig001pat" target="_blank">single-A Madison</a> for 1988 and went 11-6, with a 3.02 ERA in 26 starts. He threw a complete game for a 13-3, despite having a rough three-run inning in the third, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-pat-wernig-may/142344945/" target="_blank">The Wisconsin State Journal wrote</a>.</p><p>"I just went into the soft stuff and the off-speed pitches that inning," Wernig <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-pat-wernig-may/142344945/" target="_blank">told The Journal</a>. "I went back to the fastball and had a lot of good movement on it."</p><p>Wernig <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wernig001pat" target="_blank">made AA Huntsville</a> for 1989. He went 7-6, with a 5.15 ERA in 17 starts. He returned to Huntsville for 1990 and went 5-4, with a 3.27 ERA in 19 outings, 11 starts.</p><p>He then played 1991 <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wernig001pat" target="_blank">at AAA Tacoma</a>. He ended 7-8 there, with a 1.91 ERA in 39 outings, 8 starts. In another outing that June, he provided key long relief after an injury to the starter, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-pat-wernig-june-23-1/142345597/" target="_blank">The Tacoma News Tribune wrote</a>. </p><p>"Short relief is easier," Wernig <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-pat-wernig-june-23-1/142345597/" target="_blank">told The News Tribune</a>. "But things change, guys move up and I have to take on new roles."</p><p>Wernig started 1992 back at Huntsville. He then moved to AAA Las Vegas with the Padres. He saw 17 relief outings at Las Vegas. He then played 13 final games with the Angels at high-A Palm Springs in 1993 to <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wernig001pat" target="_blank">end his career</a>.</p><p>Wernig has since gone into coaching, serving <a href="https://www.coxfalconbaseball.com/coaches.html" target="_blank">as an assistant coach</a> with Cox High School in Virginia Beach in 2024.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAjfTgdEInVfxLukP526O43lLRGlxr7rme_fOeEi3EdJMm6hrOtbiyc_ZlDmtQnT3vIrJ-CXwG-KPtks5paUXdavO3Y3LW7FHBZImjytSfKxBqbw339Vqdyg1XcmqN8PqT86bn5qotfTdGBZKanFrJHZO_XoJ7x6u8-LFF9hGBSu9CtRWnJU3NQ3xOLU/s350/TeamHunt01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pat Wernig 1990 Huntsville Stars card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="238" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAjfTgdEInVfxLukP526O43lLRGlxr7rme_fOeEi3EdJMm6hrOtbiyc_ZlDmtQnT3vIrJ-CXwG-KPtks5paUXdavO3Y3LW7FHBZImjytSfKxBqbw339Vqdyg1XcmqN8PqT86bn5qotfTdGBZKanFrJHZO_XoJ7x6u8-LFF9hGBSu9CtRWnJU3NQ3xOLU/w218-h320/TeamHunt01.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-pat-wernig-may/142344945/" target="_blank">Wisconsin State Journal, May 27, 1988: Wernig settles for victory</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-pat-wernig-jun/142343837/" target="_blank">Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 16, 1991: No-hitter was shock to Wernig</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-pat-wernig-june-23-1/142345597/" target="_blank">Tacoma News Tribune, June 23, 1991: Wernig provides the relief, propels Tigers past Calgary</a></li></ul><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2017/01/1990-huntsville-stars.html">The 1990 Huntsville Stars</a></b></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,316<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,396-32.4%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,920-67.2%<b>-X</b></div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>569<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>350</div></div>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-35752181860054390592024-02-27T22:27:00.006-05:002024-02-27T22:27:58.351-05:00Marteese Robinson played 4 seasons, then became scout, coach<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru0uaUmJL_4bAbJu_l6VWqbMEZqwyJoqwT96lYzqT73SvAemqBW8gs_hyphenhyphenbukfEv5yD_DNLV4mTzKicolAQVwUGtSOxFHkMkj62hnj1tr-VdeGH7dvLYnD34Urj-DG_gxJISkuwTawT1hA_PIIkFw2fVXu8kFAgdewbzd59masgDbg5OanpgdSfNYy-oU/s800/240227Robinson.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Marteese Robinson 1990 Huntsville Stars card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru0uaUmJL_4bAbJu_l6VWqbMEZqwyJoqwT96lYzqT73SvAemqBW8gs_hyphenhyphenbukfEv5yD_DNLV4mTzKicolAQVwUGtSOxFHkMkj62hnj1tr-VdeGH7dvLYnD34Urj-DG_gxJISkuwTawT1hA_PIIkFw2fVXu8kFAgdewbzd59masgDbg5OanpgdSfNYy-oU/w400-h210/240227Robinson.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Seton Hall's <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=robins003mar" target="_blank">Marteese Robinson</a> had a 21-game hitting streak his junior year and powered his club to an 18-4 record by early April, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-record-marteese-robinson-april-5/142262738/" target="_blank">The Morristown Daily Record wrote</a>.<p></p><p>In addition to helping his team, he also looked ahead to the possibility of turning pro, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-record-marteese-robinson-april-5/142262738/ " target="_blank">The Daily Record wrote</a>.</p><p>"It all depends on how the scouts see my individual skills," Robinson <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-record-marteese-robinson-april-5/142262738/" target="_blank">told The Daily Record</a>. "I'm trying to play as hard as I can defensively, too, because I feel that is an underrated part of my game."</p><p>Robinson did go on to turn pro that year in the draft. His pro career ended up <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=robins003mar" target="_blank">lasting four seasons</a>. He topped out at AA. But he ended up staying in the game, as a scout himself.</p><p>Robinson's career began in 1987, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/93429/" target="_blank">taken by the Athletics</a> in the sixth round of the draft out of Seton Hall University.</p><p>Robinson started with the Athletics between <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=robins003mar" target="_blank">short-season Medford</a> and single-A Modesto. He hit .231 in 54 games. He then moved to single-A Madison for 1988. He hit .251 in 125 games.</p><p>He started 1989 struggling at Modesto, He then moved back down to Madison. He also started questioning himself, he <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-marteese-robinson-ma/142260205/" target="_blank">told The Capital Times</a> that May. But, once he got on the field, he picked it up, took the pressure off himself and helped his new squad to six wins in nine games, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-marteese-robinson-ma/142260205/" target="_blank">The Times wrote</a>.</p><p>"People would say 'you're not the same as you were in college,'" Robinson <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-marteese-robinson-ma/142260205/" target="_blank">told The Times</a>. "I started thinking what I did in college that was so different and I realized that in college I didn't put any pressure on myself - I just went out and had fun."</p><p>Robinson saw 16 games that year at AA Huntsville. He then returned to Huntsville for 1990. He saw 104 games there and hit .265. That season <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=robins003mar" target="_blank">proved his last</a>.</p><p>Robinson soon turned scout. In 2001, he was headed the Cardinals new pro scouting division, including scouting minor league talent from other teams, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-marteese-robinson/142267870/" target="_blank">The Memphis Commercial Appeal wrote</a>.</p><p>"We want to know as much about a player as you can, seeing them every year and talking to people, watching them develop," Robinson <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-marteese-robinson/142267870/" target="_blank">told The Commercial Appeal</a> that June.</p><p>In 2024, Robinson is serving as an assistant coach with <a href="https://www.mbs.net/athletics/coach-directory/profile/~const-id/19866" target="_blank">Morristown Beard School</a> in New Jersey.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-41ovqacAd3ZFieelk16Ji6S9Mj9ZnNbUz4aWE6N_CsuCfE6Yrg8vFGTTN27t72w3JYxW0ystT-7LN871g-rzLBxXDYbznd_Lsfn9kzJwDCvadkQUONkG29EXfS8ZfkvvoJDkztDSZ5G7TiFehbGD587qVzDxb9aPqiSiqXVKJ4JFX39If9iyQYM6G4/s350/BestSet280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Marteese Robinson 1990 Huntsville Stars card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="251" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-41ovqacAd3ZFieelk16Ji6S9Mj9ZnNbUz4aWE6N_CsuCfE6Yrg8vFGTTN27t72w3JYxW0ystT-7LN871g-rzLBxXDYbznd_Lsfn9kzJwDCvadkQUONkG29EXfS8ZfkvvoJDkztDSZ5G7TiFehbGD587qVzDxb9aPqiSiqXVKJ4JFX39If9iyQYM6G4/w229-h320/BestSet280.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-record-marteese-robinson-april-5/142262738/" target="_blank">Morristown Daily Record, April 5, 1987: Mauling Marteese swings big stick</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-marteese-robinson-ma/142260205/" target="_blank">Capital Times, May 13, 1989: Robinson bouncing back up</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-marteese-robinson/142267870/" target="_blank">Memphis Commercial Appeal, June 3, 2001: Cardinals</a></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2017/01/1990-huntsville-stars.html">The 1990 Huntsville Stars</a></b></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,315<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,396-32.4%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,919-67.2%<b>-X</b></div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>569<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>350</div></div></div><p></p>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-22652767506801314812024-02-24T10:30:00.003-05:002024-02-24T10:30:41.379-05:00Peter Bauer learned screwball changeup, saw 6 seasons, AA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvW7Ex-bmsELcCkYzPkakSjIspWWyM1qjHDvQw40AXydGAb0Dr3S2kN_2_BlKHD-V2qM7a0pHu9yuOr-sjZYT4WhNifJeB9cc2s5hYdutS3Kk9xrkRlnhbakvST9TMzI2ggTVDRlNfdeBFyHyZ4n_AgEEXxFMi0VlTxmF-nP7t6WpAKWv4u7A5JtO-GQ/s800/240224Bauer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pete Bauer 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvW7Ex-bmsELcCkYzPkakSjIspWWyM1qjHDvQw40AXydGAb0Dr3S2kN_2_BlKHD-V2qM7a0pHu9yuOr-sjZYT4WhNifJeB9cc2s5hYdutS3Kk9xrkRlnhbakvST9TMzI2ggTVDRlNfdeBFyHyZ4n_AgEEXxFMi0VlTxmF-nP7t6WpAKWv4u7A5JtO-GQ/w400-h210/240224Bauer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Jackson reliever <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bauer-002pet" target="_blank">Pete Bauer</a> developed a unique pitch in the minors, first in the Mets system and then continuing with the Astros, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-pete-bauer-july-16-199/141959329/" target="_blank">The Jackson Clarion Ledger wrote</a> in July 1991.
<p>The pitch, dubbed "The Freak," was <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-pete-bauer-july-16-199/141959329/" target="_blank">described by The Clarion Ledger</a> as a screwball changeup that usually broke down and away.</p><p>"I'll throw it any time, preferably when I'm ahead," Bauer <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-pete-bauer-july-16-199/141959329/" target="_blank">told The Clarion-Ledger</a> then. "Hopefully, when I got two strikes, I can make the hitter chase it."</p><p>For Bauer, though, that pitch wasn't enough. That season marked <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bauer-002pet" target="_blank">his sixth season</a> as a pro, and also his last. He topped out at AA.</p><p>Bauer's career began in 1986, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/71560/" target="_blank">taken by the Mets</a> in the eighth round of the draft out of the University of Minnesota. He was also credited as Peter Bauer.</p><p>At Minnesota, Bauer went six innings in a win, working out of early trouble, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-cloud-times-pete-bauer-may-9-1984/141964888/" target="_blank">The St. Cloud Times wrote</a>.</p><p>"I wasn't getting a lot on the ball early," Bauer <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-cloud-times-pete-bauer-may-9-1984/141964888/" target="_blank">told The Times</a> afterward. " ... All I wanted to do was throw strikes, because with our defense, that's all you have to do."</p><p>Bauer started with the Mets at <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bauer-002pet" target="_blank">short-season Little Falls</a> and single-A Lynchburg. He went 4-4 on the year in 29 relief appearances, with a 1.96 ERA.</p><p>He returned to Lynchburg for 1987. That May, he came on in a game and didn't give up a hit over 2.1 innings of relief, though he walked in a run, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-advance-pete-bauer-may-21/141984539/" target="_blank">The Lynchburg News and Advance wrote</a>.</p><p>"I got kind of lucky tonight," Bauer <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-advance-pete-bauer-may-21/141984539/" target="_blank">told The News and Advance</a>. "I got behind a lot of the hitters. But I was able to come back for the most part, except for walking in that run."</p><p>Bauer played 1988 at single-A Columbia, then <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bauer-002pet" target="_blank">made AA Jackson</a> with the Mets for 15 outings in 1989 before moving to the Astros and single-A Osceola.</p><p>He then split 1990 between Osceola <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bauer-002pet" target="_blank">and AA Columbus</a>, going 4-5 on the year, with a 2.16 ERA in 58 relief outings. He also saved 13.</p><p>For 1991, he played back at AA Jackson with the Astros. He saw 46 relief outings, went 3-7, with a 3.81 ERA to <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bauer-002pet" target="_blank">end his career</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAD4FSsHSOJN4dRqi4giYC0LlktrecZMdMT6Dn297AQYN0oSoonx8H8NAt83Mbh9dQ2wXPVSAQlI4kZ-E-qeH3KznSIndQgTZPqb2WZQYnAhL3Bu_YFxlH2XzLDDYkyUD5kZH03FfYJ99ukRHh5m6fUG__t6eR0-KXYC6fAZmnvEFd6DM9U_2nCmtH54/s350/StarOsc03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pete Bauer 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="248" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAD4FSsHSOJN4dRqi4giYC0LlktrecZMdMT6Dn297AQYN0oSoonx8H8NAt83Mbh9dQ2wXPVSAQlI4kZ-E-qeH3KznSIndQgTZPqb2WZQYnAhL3Bu_YFxlH2XzLDDYkyUD5kZH03FfYJ99ukRHh5m6fUG__t6eR0-KXYC6fAZmnvEFd6DM9U_2nCmtH54/w227-h320/StarOsc03.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-cloud-times-pete-bauer-may-9-1984/141964888/" target="_blank">St. Cloud Times, May 9, 1984: SCSU</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-advance-pete-bauer-may-21/141984539/" target="_blank">Lynchburg News and Advance, May 21, 1987: Hot L-Mets sweep double-header</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-pete-bauer-july-16-199/141959329/" target="_blank">Jackson Clarion-Ledger, July 16, 1991: Gen pen wipes out Wranglers</a></li></ul><p></p>
<div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,314<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,396-32.4%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,918-67.2%<b>-X</b></div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>569<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>350</div></div></div><p></p>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-69897549691598702102024-02-22T22:17:00.003-05:002024-02-22T22:17:25.465-05:00Kenny Lofton helped teams many ways over 17 majors seasons<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qxbcpVHFdhjfI-mriypclHpAomopnR94B8tQSY0V0XcjZK36D7HgkHTslmtgUaX6tZiBMkkzXIp5HI9pgj_lgG4caPL-YKUR9km8kHTaPGjePb4Q7kqXkgdFXRDb2yn_UuG-G78q6Tz_SkGjHsFGNnkFkpuMWg97YZ_qCibxFOF1Dik2DXqzRCjFzu0/s800/240222Lofton.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kenny Lofton 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qxbcpVHFdhjfI-mriypclHpAomopnR94B8tQSY0V0XcjZK36D7HgkHTslmtgUaX6tZiBMkkzXIp5HI9pgj_lgG4caPL-YKUR9km8kHTaPGjePb4Q7kqXkgdFXRDb2yn_UuG-G78q6Tz_SkGjHsFGNnkFkpuMWg97YZ_qCibxFOF1Dik2DXqzRCjFzu0/w400-h210/240222Lofton.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />As he geared up for a new season with his new team in early April 1997, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/loftoke01.shtml" target="_blank">Kenny Lofton</a> explained his game <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-kenny-lofton/141813298/" target="_blank">to The Atlanta Constitution</a>.<p></p><p>He was the type of player, he <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-kenny-lofton/141813298/" target="_blank">told The Constitution</a>, who was going to go out there and give 110 percent each day.</p><p>"A lot of times, I play when I'm hurt. I feel my presence there is needed," Lofton <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-kenny-lofton/141813298/" target="_blank">told The Constitution</a>. "If I can't do it offensively, I'll do it defensively. I feel if I can't help you one way, I'll help you another."</p><p>Lofton, a veteran of three previous All-Star games with the Indians, went out there and made another one that year with the Braves in 1997. He then saw two more in a career that <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/loftoke01.shtml" target="_blank">spanned 17 major league seasons</a>.</p><p>Throughout, he used his speed, ending <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/SB_career.shtml" target="_blank">with 622 stolen bases</a>, good for <span>15th all time.</span></p><p>Lofton's career began in 1988, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/1233/" target="_blank">taken by the Astros</a> in the 17th round of the draft out of the University of Arizona.</p><p>Lofton started with the Astros at <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=lofton001ken" target="_blank">short-season Auburn</a>. He made single-A Asheville for 1989 and high-A Osceola for 1990. He then saw AAA Tucson for 1991 and then Houston that same year.</p><p>Lofton saw 20 games that first year with the Astros. He then <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/loftoke01.shtml" target="_blank">moved to the Indians</a> and became a major league regular. </p><p>"He hasn't played very much, but his baseball sense and instincts are very good," Cleveland first base coach Dave Nelson <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-kenny-lofton-may/141818711/" target="_blank">told The Los Angeles Times</a> that May in 1992. "He's not doing this on sheer speed."</p><p>Lofton ended up playing 148 games that year. He stole 66 bases to <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/loftoke01.shtml" target="_blank">lead the league</a>, the first of five-straight seasons where he would do so. </p><p>In 1993, he stole 70 bases and hit .325. Lofton earned his <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/loftoke01.shtml" target="_blank">first All-Star nod</a> in 1994, his first of six straight.</p><p>In 1995, he helped the Indians to the World Series, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-stuart-news-kenny-lofton-oct-19/141881532/" target="_blank">scoring from second</a> on a passed ball in one ALCS game.</p><p>"I think that's basically a lead-off hitter's job, to get on base and make things happen," Lofton <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-stuart-news-kenny-lofton-oct-19/141881532/" target="_blank">told The Associated Press</a> then. "That's what I try to do."</p><p>Lofton continued with the Indians through 2001. He then went through <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/loftoke01.shtml" target="_blank">eight different organizations</a> into 2007 before returning to the Indians. </p><p><span>Lofton ended with 2,103 total games played, a .299 batting average and those 622 steals.</span></p><p>Lofton has since <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0517470/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1" target="_blank">turned to filmmaking</a>. And, after failing to make it past the first ballot in Hall of Fame voting, he held out hope that he'd one day make it <a href="https://nypost.com/2019/02/27/kenny-lofton-blasts-a-rod-mlb-cheaters-in-hall-of-fame-rant/" target="_blank">through the veteran's committee</a>.</p><p>"They know the era I played in and all the things I was dealing with. I played against steroids guys and I still was competing during that time," Lofton <a href="https://nypost.com/2019/02/27/kenny-lofton-blasts-a-rod-mlb-cheaters-in-hall-of-fame-rant/" target="_blank">told the New York Post</a> in 2019. "At my position, I felt like I stood out."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GFL43nqYzw7pMisjfXfVxs8f2I0Pdqy12s0mq7K6UzvbetBJxgu0eejr66pZGquj88c9h_leGSzwID0nQsysAS56ywq2bNumBswJ6IMTQeQDMhh9EtTK4XFKvL1xgyOTrh-l1JPXGGXhVP1mI5iPAXdg0kgIQ6SWaU5k8FajMgddfU6RowymhttEfFY/s701/StarOsc16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kenny Lofton 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="497" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GFL43nqYzw7pMisjfXfVxs8f2I0Pdqy12s0mq7K6UzvbetBJxgu0eejr66pZGquj88c9h_leGSzwID0nQsysAS56ywq2bNumBswJ6IMTQeQDMhh9EtTK4XFKvL1xgyOTrh-l1JPXGGXhVP1mI5iPAXdg0kgIQ6SWaU5k8FajMgddfU6RowymhttEfFY/w227-h320/StarOsc16.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-kenny-lofton-may/141818711/" target="_blank">Los Angeles Times, May 31, 1992: With On-the-Job Training, Lofton's a Steal</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-stuart-news-kenny-lofton-oct-19/141881532/" target="_blank">The Stuart News, Associated Press, Oct. 19, 1995: Lofton remains on the run</a></li><li><span><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-kenny-lofton/141813298/" target="_blank">Atlanta Constitution, April 4, 1997: Batting first...playing center field ... Kenny Lofton</a></span></li><li><a href="https://nypost.com/2019/02/27/kenny-lofton-blasts-a-rod-mlb-cheaters-in-hall-of-fame-rant/" target="_blank">New York Post, Feb. 27, 2019: Kenny Lofton blasts A-Rod, MLB cheaters in Hall of Fame rant</a></li></ul><p></p><div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,313<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,396-32.4%<b>-X</b><br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,917-67.2%</div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>569<b>-X</b><br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>350</div></div></div><p></p>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-31167302426853697042024-02-19T22:47:00.005-05:002024-02-19T22:47:48.713-05:00Scott Makarewicz thought big things at AA, saw 10 seasons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fQPSCOrH2Iks_mRC9AiuVOBFj3xkUh9z3ibsKWwpkG9FluB1zfRLPPWRNP1scGMPBQPD0Ig6BnrLLkkPDZA_YPtPRDIpHpQtp0tU1VCzOUL1TNzmzwBrClyQs0IWeq7vVSiB2JpjYosI5wj9x2cy5QVDRC5waSEH98XgbLe6uTCN342MteSA39sGqVY/s800/240219Makarewicz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Scott Makarewicz 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fQPSCOrH2Iks_mRC9AiuVOBFj3xkUh9z3ibsKWwpkG9FluB1zfRLPPWRNP1scGMPBQPD0Ig6BnrLLkkPDZA_YPtPRDIpHpQtp0tU1VCzOUL1TNzmzwBrClyQs0IWeq7vVSiB2JpjYosI5wj9x2cy5QVDRC5waSEH98XgbLe6uTCN342MteSA39sGqVY/w400-h210/240219Makarewicz.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=makare001sco" target="_blank">Scott Makarewicz</a> stepped to the plate in this July 1992 game for AA Jackson with the go-ahead run on third and one out in the ninth. His thoughts, he <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-scott-makarewicz-july-1/141632820/" target="_blank">told The Jackson Clarion-Ledger</a>: Big things.</p><p>"I went up there saying, 'Hey, this is it. This is what gets you to the big leagues," Makarewicz <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-scott-makarewicz-july-1/141632820/" target="_blank">told The Clarion-Ledger</a>.</p><p>Makarewicz ended up <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-scott-makarewicz-july-1/141632820/" target="_blank">getting a single</a> to bring in the run. In a career that spanned a decade in the pros, though, he never did make the majors. He <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=makare001sco" target="_blank">topped out at AAA</a>.</p><p>Makarewicz' career began in 1989, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/86988/" target="_blank">taken by the Astros</a> in the sixth round of the draft out of Michigan State University.</p><p>Makarewicz started with the Astros at <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=makare001sco" target="_blank">short-season Auburn</a>. He hit .241 over 61 games. He then moved to high-A Osceola and AA Columbus for 1990. He hit .277 in 93 games at Osceola. He also made the <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-scott-makarewicz/141645476/" target="_blank">Florida State League All-Star team</a>.</p><p>"We want to go out there and make a contribution," Makarewicz <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-scott-makarewicz/141645476/" target="_blank">told The Orlando Sentinel</a> after his selection. "This is a game that brings all of the league's best and we're glad to be a part of it. We'll be out there to have fun, but we also will play to win."</p><p>He then played 1991 <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=makare001sco" target="_blank">at AA Jackson</a>, then 1992 and 1993 there. He made AAA Tucson for 1994 and saw 63 games, hitting .287.</p><p>Makarewicz returned to Tucson for 1995, then moved to the Tigers system and AA Jacksonville in 1996 and AAA Toledo in 1997. Makarewicz played <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=makare001sco" target="_blank">his final season</a> in 198, between the Marlins and Astros systems.</p><p>By 2016, Makarewicz had settled in Florida heading the Florida Collegiate Summer League's Winter Park Diamond Dawgs, coaching his son, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-scott-makarewicz/141656712/" target="_blank">The Sentinel wrote</a>.</p><p>"It's the American pasttime," Malarewicz <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-scott-makarewicz/141656712/" target="_blank">told The Sentinel</a> then. "Sports is big in my family, and I know that sports keeps families together. It's a good connection, hard work, goal-setting. I just helps you grow in life."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3tQcbFq9qU_4Uka_2v-MuT8JhVLndMaJDQkgZY4j9JE3FaNwPgaXhTNO1mAWV7iNXU09mMn__7fN3GOG4qfa3ZrlC-jbHTotagrIPyWMLTN-B-Ne9qcoymMWlTEHQhBV8zMS2VrNpBzoM0on-O9axg_CHORail0b0Y5A8d8WOe-yiWBbRfrQWzWXKdE/s350/StarOsc19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Scott Makarewicz 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="248" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3tQcbFq9qU_4Uka_2v-MuT8JhVLndMaJDQkgZY4j9JE3FaNwPgaXhTNO1mAWV7iNXU09mMn__7fN3GOG4qfa3ZrlC-jbHTotagrIPyWMLTN-B-Ne9qcoymMWlTEHQhBV8zMS2VrNpBzoM0on-O9axg_CHORail0b0Y5A8d8WOe-yiWBbRfrQWzWXKdE/w227-h320/StarOsc19.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-scott-makarewicz/141645476/" target="_blank">Orlando Sentinel, June 26, 1990: Osceola puts 4 players in FSL All-Star game tonight</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-scott-makarewicz-july-1/141632820/" target="_blank">Jackson Clarion-Ledger, July 19, 1992: Mellower mentally, Gens' Makarewicz makes it happen</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-scott-makarewicz/141656712/" target="_blank">Orlando Sentinel, July 3, 2016: Bonds of baseball</a></li></ul><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,312<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,395-32.4%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,917-67.2%<b>-X</b></div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>568<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>350<b>-X</b></div></div></div><p></p>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-70284852083887671952024-02-18T15:34:00.000-05:002024-02-18T15:34:12.159-05:00Todd Jones fulfilled potential over 16 ML seasons, 319 saves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBtXwJzxG83_-n1Zg4JTK0Sf6AhWTDVTT0wTIXmi796RqFau0Mk5EXZPXIWWd0TxAKgQfd4XzcCmzdeVt3A5-4qKCme3S-zHhkz8yDufyz4DXZm2_aZgVsM63B5O23-CPmnwxAcQwe_CZkjcuAfCzcJlJy0rVfRTu7zIfPMEWBWWoTzuRoVB12tXM26s/s800/240218Jones.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Todd Jones 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBtXwJzxG83_-n1Zg4JTK0Sf6AhWTDVTT0wTIXmi796RqFau0Mk5EXZPXIWWd0TxAKgQfd4XzcCmzdeVt3A5-4qKCme3S-zHhkz8yDufyz4DXZm2_aZgVsM63B5O23-CPmnwxAcQwe_CZkjcuAfCzcJlJy0rVfRTu7zIfPMEWBWWoTzuRoVB12tXM26s/w400-h210/240218Jones.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesto02.shtml" target="_blank">Todd Jones</a> had some control problems his final year of college at Jacksonville State, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-todd-jones-june-8/141331120/" target="_blank">The Atlanta Journal wrote</a> in June 1989.</p><p>His body of work, though, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-todd-jones-june-8/141331120/" target="_blank">still got him selected</a> late in the first round.</p><p>"I had a real up-and-down year," Jones <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-todd-jones-june-8/141331120/" target="_blank">told The Journal</a> after his selection. "But professional scouts look more to what you are going to be able to do than what your statistics are."</p><p>For Jones, what he was able to do turned out not only to make the majors, but remain there <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesto02.shtml" target="_blank">for 16 seasons</a>. He also became among the top closers in the game.</p><p>Jones' career began that year in 1989, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/832/" target="_blank">taken by the Astros</a> 27th overall out of Jacksonville State.</p><p>Jones started at short-season Auburn. He made high-A Osceola for 1990, then AA Jackson for 1991 and AAA Tucson and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesto02.shtml" target="_blank">then Houston</a> in 1993.</p><p>"I wasn't expecting this at all," Jones <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-todd-jones-ju/141338676/" target="_blank">told The Atlanta Constitution</a> after his callup in July. "I was kind of walking on air. But it's starting to sink in now."</p><p>Jones saw 27 relief appearances with two saves that first year. He <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesto02.shtml" target="_blank">then saved five</a> in 1994, then 15 in 1995. Jones saved at least 10 games in 11 of his 16 seasons.</p><p>He <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesto02.shtml" target="_blank">moved to the Tigers</a> for 1997 in a trade and saved 31 in 68 appearances. Jones impressed out of spring training, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/103318408/" target="_blank">The Detroit Free Press wrote</a>.</p><p>"If there's one guy that's caught my attention in camp so far, it's Jones," Detroit manager Buddy Bell <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/103318408/" target="_blank">told The Free Press</a>. "I'm really impressed with his stuff."</p><p>He saved 28 in 1998, 30 in 1999 and then 42 in 2000. He also <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesto02.shtml" target="_blank">made the All-Star team</a> in 2000.</p><p>He <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesto02.shtml" target="_blank">saw 69 outings</a> between Detroit and Minnesota in 2001, 79 in 2002 with Colorado, 59 between Colorado and Boston in 2003 and 78 in 2004 between Cincinnati and Philadelphia, while not closing.</p><p>Jones returned to closing in 2004 with Florida, saving 40. He saved 37 and 38 in 2006 and 2007 back with Detroit. He then <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesto02.shtml" target="_blank">ended his career</a> with 45 outings, 18 saves with Detroit in 2008.</p><p>He <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesto02.shtml" target="_blank">saved 319 total games</a> over his career.</p><p>Going into 2008, Jones <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/118080867/" target="_blank">spoke to The Free Press</a> about his philosophy, calling it "Christian-based."</p><p>"I still mess up all the time. I'm not perfect," Jones <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/118080867/" target="_blank">told The Free Press</a>. "But I try to be accountable. I try to reflect what I try to believe in."</p><p>Jones is serving in 2024 as a <a href="https://www.ballysports.com/article/clsko9nrz000cw2albsqg07q5" target="_blank">Tigers TV analyst</a> for Bally Sports.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZVXyS7AOW71FCTDVHKamv3_60tvdMs7TI8aC57s2Wx0uXIwPriR_vaI2UxdSLtXJXNzXRZHX93Gur1T2sjyxUUMb4CnDpIyCmhJ2tLjgKRLGAmKgkPY3paPLy6AHqA6iMJdnli-pHoGcnVj3HbKasKZtk9tUt81f242ivMRkK_BCHDa7IGvfwA2g02k/s350/StarOsc12%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Todd Jones 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="245" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZVXyS7AOW71FCTDVHKamv3_60tvdMs7TI8aC57s2Wx0uXIwPriR_vaI2UxdSLtXJXNzXRZHX93Gur1T2sjyxUUMb4CnDpIyCmhJ2tLjgKRLGAmKgkPY3paPLy6AHqA6iMJdnli-pHoGcnVj3HbKasKZtk9tUt81f242ivMRkK_BCHDa7IGvfwA2g02k/w224-h320/StarOsc12%20(1).jpg" width="224" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-todd-jones-june-8/141331120/" target="_blank">Atlanta Journal, June 8, 1989: Fastball Opens Door to the Major Leagues</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-todd-jones-ju/141338676/" target="_blank">Atlanta Constitution, July 15, 1993: Call-up by Astros has former star in clouds</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/103318408/" target="_blank">Detroit Free Press, Feb. 24, 1997: Tigers' Jones has 'look,' Bell's eye</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/118080867/" target="_blank">Detroit Free Press, March 30, 2008: Escape artist Jones always available to take the heat</a></li></ul><p></p>
<div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,311<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,395-32.4%<b>-X</b><br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,916-67.2%</div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>568<b>-X</b><br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>349</div></div></div><p></p>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-10790342080889326952024-02-14T22:50:00.000-05:002024-02-14T22:50:00.243-05:00Howard Prager swung bat well in AAA game, saw seven seasons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkKXKBCzZWZC_HaMKBWuR7c8gCOkkNoALeBR4aSxtlmsKllstoLHazXVes04izXVChARZf7UiFA8ajGqOIhUS-5_08UFrERvvkSC-jIzG9JCfrxuJ-5nmySu0hDIofK1zuNryjWUZW5-K8MAEYEP1bVt78fLy4-W567EiTRDZOPCQXQjQbv2GH8GPk2o/s800/240214Prager.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkKXKBCzZWZC_HaMKBWuR7c8gCOkkNoALeBR4aSxtlmsKllstoLHazXVes04izXVChARZf7UiFA8ajGqOIhUS-5_08UFrERvvkSC-jIzG9JCfrxuJ-5nmySu0hDIofK1zuNryjWUZW5-K8MAEYEP1bVt78fLy4-W567EiTRDZOPCQXQjQbv2GH8GPk2o/w400-h210/240214Prager.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In his seventh season as a pro in 1995, Louisville Redbird <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=prager001how" target="_blank">Howard Prager</a> struggled to get playing time, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-howard-prager-june/140977915/ " target="_blank">The Louisville Courier-Journal wrote</a>.
<p>But when he did get in, he showed what he could do, including in a June game where he hit a home run, a double and stole a base, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-howard-prager-june/140977915/" target="_blank">The Courier-Journal wrote</a>.</p><p>"We keep bringing in people to play first base in front of him, but he can play at this level," Louisville manager Joe Pettini <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-howard-prager-june/140977915/" target="_blank">told The Courier-Journal</a> of Prager. "Not only did he swing the bat tonight, he made some good plays at first base."</p><p>However well he did that night, Prager's time in the pros ended with that year. He <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=prager001how" target="_blank">missed the bigs</a>.</p><p>Prager's career began in 1989, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/92061/" target="_blank">taken by the Astros</a> in the 31st round of the draft out of the University of Texas at Arlington.</p><p>Prager started with the Astros at <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=prager001how" target="_blank">short-season Auburn</a>. He saw 73 games and hit .335. He moved to high-A Osceola for 1990. He hit .248 in 99 games.</p><p>For 1991, Prager spent <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=prager001how" target="_blank">much of the season</a> at AA Jackson. He saw 109 games there and hit .305. He had a shot to add to a ninth-inning rally that August, but he hit one back to the mound, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-howard-prager-aug-12/140978893/" target="_blank">The Jackson Clarion-Ledger wrote</a>.</p><p>"In that situation, I knew he'd go right at me," Prager <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-howard-prager-aug-12/140978893/" target="_blank">told The Clarion-Ledger</a> of the 3-1 count. "He's throwing his best stuff. I'm a fastball hitter and he challenged me. He won this time."</p><p>Prager played 1992 back at Jackson, then moved to the Cardinals system and AA Arkansas and AAA Louisville for 1993. He then returned to Louisville for 1994 and 1995 to <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=prager001how" target="_blank">end his career</a>.</p><p>Prager soon returned home to Texas and became a youth coach, his son Ryan Prager <a href="https://www.peoplenewspapers.com/2020/10/14/hillcrest-lefty-stays-focused-on-panthers-before-aggies/" target="_blank">going on to play</a> in college.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvy2Kf5flKhXGH2ICKwb_xHvWIwJG7SQ_WJ1N3qgNdAd4_8rMvxeGweN4rrnFbfh9wCGHgGGct6K1ti0Dx9wzdQm7Nglg43u5CODY5IGgBR_kc1MMLYXSEsMtzSTil-ycN4itD-13TQIkZKZkr_zl98tXZMlLrki-FvTcQPvYq66r59cQ-tIHbQhyBGE/s350/StarOsc23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Howard Prager 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="249" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvy2Kf5flKhXGH2ICKwb_xHvWIwJG7SQ_WJ1N3qgNdAd4_8rMvxeGweN4rrnFbfh9wCGHgGGct6K1ti0Dx9wzdQm7Nglg43u5CODY5IGgBR_kc1MMLYXSEsMtzSTil-ycN4itD-13TQIkZKZkr_zl98tXZMlLrki-FvTcQPvYq66r59cQ-tIHbQhyBGE/w228-h320/StarOsc23.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-howard-prager-aug-12/140978893/" target="_blank">Jackson Clarion-Ledger, Aug. 12, 1991: Captains sink Generals, 8-7</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-howard-prager-june/140977915/" target="_blank">Louisville Courier-Journal, June 30, 1995: Prager emerges to lift Birds, 4-2</a></li></ul><p></p>
<div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,310<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,394-32.3%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,916-67.7%<b>-X</b></div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>567<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>349</div></div></div><p></p>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-84933253724902316912024-02-13T22:25:00.002-05:002024-02-13T22:25:39.517-05:00Cole Hyson gave best shot over 5 seasons, opened pawn shop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVH3sR1sKZgS5jP6r-24uKjpimj2VqDQcb4brFqno-CSGVMEtYslJa9eObOGrH2kjZxIzpXpA02Q1oVQIUSMLSgHasAU7b9eAXXRQdJKEWGEiTIiV4S2SSScI8y1P5gNsyPQn2vYJp5ugXuECIGX3Yl3BcrS86Kj88czj6cRX_EKshIdoezdGReb19sY/s800/240213Hyson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cole Hyson 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVH3sR1sKZgS5jP6r-24uKjpimj2VqDQcb4brFqno-CSGVMEtYslJa9eObOGrH2kjZxIzpXpA02Q1oVQIUSMLSgHasAU7b9eAXXRQdJKEWGEiTIiV4S2SSScI8y1P5gNsyPQn2vYJp5ugXuECIGX3Yl3BcrS86Kj88czj6cRX_EKshIdoezdGReb19sY/w400-h210/240213Hyson.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hyson-001col" target="_blank">Cole Hyson</a>'s Durango High School football team headed to the league title in 1985. Their opponent: undefeated Grand Junction, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-sentinel-cole-hyson-oct-27/140906918/" target="_blank">The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel wrote</a>.</p><p>"We'll give it our best shot; we'll come out and play hard," Hyson, Durango's quarterback, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-sentinel-cole-hyson-oct-27/140906918/" target="_blank">told The Daily Sentinel</a>. "I'll just try to find the open man, and don't let the guys get down."</p><p>Hyson went on from high school football to play baseball in college and the pros. His pro baseball career <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hyson-001col" target="_blank">lasted five seasons</a>. He made AA.</p><p>Hyson's career began in 1989, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/83199/" target="_blank">taken by the Astros</a> in the ninth round of the draft out of the University of Arkansas.</p><p>Hyson started with the Astros at <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hyson-001col" target="_blank">short-season Auburn</a>. He saw 15 outings, 12 starts, with a 3.69 ERA. </p><p>He moved to <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hyson-001col" target="_blank">high-A Osceola</a> for 1990 and returned there for 1991. He went 6-12 there in 1990 and 8-10 there for 1991.</p><p>Hyson moved to the Padres system for 1992. He saw 24 relief outings. He ended with a 6.18 ERA. He returned in 1994 to AA Wichita. He <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hyson-001col" target="_blank">saw a single outing</a>, giving up four earned in two thirds of an inning. An arm injury <a href="https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/after-29-years-cole-hyson-to-close-colorado-trading-co/" target="_blank">lead to the end</a> of his career.</p><p>Hyson soon returned home to Durango and ran a pawn shop, which he opened <a href="https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/after-29-years-cole-hyson-to-close-colorado-trading-co/" target="_blank">before his career ended</a>. </p><p>"When I came home in the offseason, it was hard to find a job. Everybody knew I was gonna be leaving for spring training," Hyson <a href="https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/after-29-years-cole-hyson-to-close-colorado-trading-co/" target="_blank">told The Durango Herald</a>. "So, I ended up having an idea. My mom's family in Kansas had just opened their second pawn shop. And I went out and spent some time with them for five days and tried to figure something out, and I came back and opened up."</p><p>He ran the shop <a href="https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/after-29-years-cole-hyson-to-close-colorado-trading-co/" target="_blank">for 29 years</a> before closing it in 2020.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TLUfvoFh1HL6EYj8qZAHKWOY6kamWjKRapcFlrcKYOXQ2Oryga6PKR_cxSNa33UDiXr7bi0Xd0_Uif8W3Y7x8C3JYXUvxfrGphfJvGK2Jfhn4XL5Qbf5aIuT6YI3H6MBlXRIUMW_seQ6xu2b3qLWyj7oNZwWeuxpuA-QPzVqZUrtNPebZD-ztrsXJZE/s350/StarOsc10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cole Hyson 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="248" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TLUfvoFh1HL6EYj8qZAHKWOY6kamWjKRapcFlrcKYOXQ2Oryga6PKR_cxSNa33UDiXr7bi0Xd0_Uif8W3Y7x8C3JYXUvxfrGphfJvGK2Jfhn4XL5Qbf5aIuT6YI3H6MBlXRIUMW_seQ6xu2b3qLWyj7oNZwWeuxpuA-QPzVqZUrtNPebZD-ztrsXJZE/w227-h320/StarOsc10.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-sentinel-cole-hyson-oct-27/140906918/" target="_blank">Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, Oct. 27, 1985: Hyson comes through for Demons</a></li><li><a href="https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/after-29-years-cole-hyson-to-close-colorado-trading-co/" target="_blank">Durango Herald, March 16, 2020: After 29 years, Cole Hyson to close Colorado Trading Co.</a></li></ul><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,309<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,394-32.4%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,915-67.6%<b>-X</b></div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>567<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>349</div></div></div><p></p>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-90942341491473128472024-02-11T19:45:00.003-05:002024-02-11T19:46:00.205-05:00Lance Madsen tried to relax, concentrate, saw 6 seasons, AAA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLM_bgRXjKVKf9GdH09igwjRL4Q5GrzWqWgsWC3DVZc2bkeKvNK6tMq7MHgmDYib_DvjZrx3WZWxEvhp75IYIZPnwfAQH9WOJG8AMUq51RY-Xk4q1hTjjXUjxUTquD9ykKXPCGV4vSyrcTkYueyJXrG_F6RkpXi7bWQCdv7_J7nhM27CMd1X3gKNoYEA/s800/240211Madsen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lance Madsen 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLM_bgRXjKVKf9GdH09igwjRL4Q5GrzWqWgsWC3DVZc2bkeKvNK6tMq7MHgmDYib_DvjZrx3WZWxEvhp75IYIZPnwfAQH9WOJG8AMUq51RY-Xk4q1hTjjXUjxUTquD9ykKXPCGV4vSyrcTkYueyJXrG_F6RkpXi7bWQCdv7_J7nhM27CMd1X3gKNoYEA/w400-h210/240211Madsen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=madsen001lan" target="_blank">Lance Madson</a> started slowly at AA Jackson in 1993, hitting just .188 by mid-May, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-lance-madsen-may-19-19/140746312/" target="_blank">The Jackson Clarion-Ledger wrote</a>.</p><p>But in this game, he hit a home run, his eighth on the year to lead the league, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-lance-madsen-may-19-19/140746312/" target="_blank">The Clarion-Ledger wrote</a>.</p><p>"I know I have power," Madson <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-lance-madsen-may-19-19/140746312/" target="_blank">told The Clarion-Ledger</a> afterward. "But for me to be the best hitter I can be, I need to relax and concentrate on hitting line drives."</p><p>Madson eventually turned it around enough that year to make AAA the next. But, in a career that spanned six seasons, he <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=madsen001lan" target="_blank">fell short of the bigs</a>.</p><p>Madson's career started in 1989, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/86910/" target="_blank">taken by the Astros</a> in the 12th round of the draft out of the University of Utah.</p><p>Madsen moved to the pros after having a big impact at Utah, as his coach wondered how to replace the three-time all-conference outfielder, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-utah-chronicle-lance-madsen/140752835/" target="_blank">according to The Daily Utah Chronicle</a>.</p><p>"I don't know if you can ever replace a Lance Madsen," Utah coach Rick Sofield <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-utah-chronicle-lance-madsen/140752835/" target="_blank">told The Chronicle</a>. "I think you just have to find someone to play centerfield and hope the guy gives his best for you every day."</p><p>Madson started with the Astros at <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=madsen001lan" target="_blank">short-season Auburn</a>. He hit .265 in 59 games, with nine home runs.</p><p>He moved to <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=madsen001lan" target="_blank">high-A Osceola</a> in 1990 and hit .244 on the year. He then made AA Jackson for 1991 and stayed there for three seasons. He hit .23 home runs at Jackson in 1993, while hitting .221.</p><p>Madson helped Jackson to the 1993 Texas League playoffs. He also hoped he'd done enough to make AAA the next season, he <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-lance-madsen-sept-10/140761087/" target="_blank">told The Clarion-Ledger</a>.</p><p>"I would hope I do (get a shot at Triple-A)" Madson <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-lance-madsen-sept-10/140761087/" target="_blank">told The Clarion-Ledger</a> that September, "but it's out of my control. I hope one way or another Houston makes a move with me. I feel like I've done some good things this year."</p><p>Madson did make AAA in 1994, but saw only 41 games. He hit .151 with no home runs to <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=madsen001lan" target="_blank">end his minor league career</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqG6MhFWdorajPBgzEbXfXsOuMhQ1j5QEQNP8kbqJGtUnvAJ2FT2gIZLe6GPvYew5BZgMmruEP7IUL8Gqb8WXsgA-FQXfgIejONFzB5FMkLk5o6PXgY8oUxUFVs1Fd3zMfRvE2Tlupa5Ivqq6aUbILWKMF7thI7t64u7R4lfCU51JimuVCswAMyeL80JQ/s350/StarOsc18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lance Madsen 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="248" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqG6MhFWdorajPBgzEbXfXsOuMhQ1j5QEQNP8kbqJGtUnvAJ2FT2gIZLe6GPvYew5BZgMmruEP7IUL8Gqb8WXsgA-FQXfgIejONFzB5FMkLk5o6PXgY8oUxUFVs1Fd3zMfRvE2Tlupa5Ivqq6aUbILWKMF7thI7t64u7R4lfCU51JimuVCswAMyeL80JQ/w227-h320/StarOsc18.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-utah-chronicle-lance-madsen/140752835/" target="_blank">Daily Utah Chronicle, Aug. 16, 1989: Ute sluggers look for speed and pitching instead of power</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-lance-madsen-may-19-19/140746312/" target="_blank">Jackson Clarion-Ledger, May 19, 1993: Gens rally for much-needed win</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-lance-madsen-sept-10/140761087/" target="_blank">Jackson Clarion-Ledger, Sept. 10, 1993: Gens want TL crown, crowd</a></li></ul><p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,308<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,394-32.4%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,914-67.6%<b>-X</b></div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>567<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>349</div></div>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-26443424503169862152024-02-10T22:14:00.002-05:002024-02-11T19:43:23.398-05:00Toncie Reed showed potential at Osceola, saw 3 pro seasons<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Xs4GRHGYWZP1RjLsE0MEHe3CCA7TxB_5n9Lkzb8nQWMmyWe2gWfNYRQh8Y21UlChet7wvohp1BBQSYgie2kqUpaIUpCHp_LmqEFaWZndKxaPtoMoCJ_QBD_OamEybGju-GYFA8Dd2gFfGMhOH7uf9Nx5XILoG1PgU8BVgpDn_gdLdv3-zj9asYNeUGg/s800/240210Reed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Toncie Reed 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Xs4GRHGYWZP1RjLsE0MEHe3CCA7TxB_5n9Lkzb8nQWMmyWe2gWfNYRQh8Y21UlChet7wvohp1BBQSYgie2kqUpaIUpCHp_LmqEFaWZndKxaPtoMoCJ_QBD_OamEybGju-GYFA8Dd2gFfGMhOH7uf9Nx5XILoG1PgU8BVgpDn_gdLdv3-zj9asYNeUGg/w400-h210/240210Reed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Outfielder <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=reed--001ton" target="_blank">Toncie Reed</a> had an impressive spring in 1990 and made high-A Osceola, <a href="https://original-ufdc.uflib.ufl.edu/UF00028318/02032/11x" target="_blank">The Osceola News-Gazette wrote</a>.<p></p><p>His spring performance had Osceola general manager Pat O'Connor seeing possibilities, <a href="https://original-ufdc.uflib.ufl.edu/UF00028318/02032/11x" target="_blank">The News-Gazette wrote</a>.</p><p>"He's a kid who could really come on," O'Connor <a href="https://original-ufdc.uflib.ufl.edu/UF00028318/02032/11x" target="_blank">told The News-Gazette</a> of Reed.</p><p>Reed arrived at Osceola for his third pro season. That season also <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=reed--001ton" target="_blank">proved his last</a>. He topped out at high-A.</p><p>Reed's career began in 1988, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/92711/" target="_blank">taken by the Astros</a> in the 31st round of the previous year's draft out of Seminole State College in Oklahoma. He went to Seminole out of Pleasant Grove High School in Texarkana, Texas.</p><p>At Pleasant Grove, Reed also played football, and got notice from an opposing coach, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-paris-news-toncie-reed-sept-19-1/140694245/" target="_blank">according to The Paris News</a>.</p><p>"He's a tall, erratic runner that hunts and pecks for good yardage every game," opposing coach Sonny Templeton <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-paris-news-toncie-reed-sept-19-1/140694245/" target="_blank">told The News</a>.</p><p>Reed started <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=reed--001ton" target="_blank">with the Astros</a> in 1988 in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He hit .262 over 51 games and stole 11 bases.</p><p>For 1989, he moved to <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=reed--001ton" target="_blank">short-season Auburn</a>. He saw 67 games and hit .274, with four home runs. He <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkshire-eagle-toncie-reed-aug-2/140694932/" target="_blank">hit a two-run double</a> in an August game.</p><p>At Osceola in 1990, Reed <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-toncie-reed-june-30/140695687/" target="_blank">hit a grand slam</a> in a June win and three RBI <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-toncie-reed-july-7/140695866/" target="_blank">in a July game</a>. He saw 89 games in all but hit .191 to <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=reed--001ton" target="_blank">end his career</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZzoKFa_fz-xV3sgDuOOKp6YaEmLhx4T-S8xt6P0AMTEjtK69rQL9Hf9ieru2awSd3Os2zLlu1IQOPadyI2XTjSWFvLr6tEW9WCmuNn_QFgkXk7N_Nf1Rg_lhuEISznIpOC-B-s3LZa1Fzo1IzT9YhEmazhTy3wk9x0DSTuN0sKqPOXGSZb8RSmAMDN0/s350/StarOsc24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Toncie Reed 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZzoKFa_fz-xV3sgDuOOKp6YaEmLhx4T-S8xt6P0AMTEjtK69rQL9Hf9ieru2awSd3Os2zLlu1IQOPadyI2XTjSWFvLr6tEW9WCmuNn_QFgkXk7N_Nf1Rg_lhuEISznIpOC-B-s3LZa1Fzo1IzT9YhEmazhTy3wk9x0DSTuN0sKqPOXGSZb8RSmAMDN0/w229-h320/StarOsc24.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-paris-news-toncie-reed-sept-19-1/140694245/" target="_blank">Paris News, Sept. 19, 1984: Panthers pleased with 23-16 win over Hooks</a></li><li><a href="https://original-ufdc.uflib.ufl.edu/UF00028318/02032/11x" target="_blank">Osceola News-Gazette, April 5, 1990: New-look Osceola Astros open 1990 FSL season</a></li></ul><p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,307<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,394-32.4%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,913-67.6%<b>-X</b></div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>567<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>349</div></div>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450969303865496179.post-631321993834598862024-02-09T22:58:00.003-05:002024-02-11T19:43:38.360-05:00Jack Billingham got raise, made bigs, gave up Aaron's 714th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpyK-rXX1B3ZCO19IcXEzAJI0fBFAWgmww_AWGe8CTGezkOvBWSxrggh6Lovth9o9YV8Ugj3p9BQumPSDY-QHqOhJjytQIbbXsGN1Zn90KYfZDoCs7iNcpJOQTjzDvmos9s6whTsbEf2zm206IjmljTo4YB67vMy2JbNArKUdX4HU4RmYotiHWD2c0qM/s800/Facebook%20Ad%20(14).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jack Billingham 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpyK-rXX1B3ZCO19IcXEzAJI0fBFAWgmww_AWGe8CTGezkOvBWSxrggh6Lovth9o9YV8Ugj3p9BQumPSDY-QHqOhJjytQIbbXsGN1Zn90KYfZDoCs7iNcpJOQTjzDvmos9s6whTsbEf2zm206IjmljTo4YB67vMy2JbNArKUdX4HU4RmYotiHWD2c0qM/w400-h210/Facebook%20Ad%20(14).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/billija01.shtml" target="_blank"><br />Jack Billingham</a>'s major league career was almost over before it began, the minor leaguer engaged and frustrated at his progress, he <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/8822/" target="_blank">told The Associated Press</a> in 1972.
<p>Billingham responded by demanding the organization give him a $50 a month raise and getting him out of Santa Barbara, he <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/8822/" target="_blank">told The AP</a>.</p><p>"It was a week or so later when a Santa Barbara club official telephoned me and said 'I hate to tell you this but you're going to St. Petersburg," Billingham <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/8822/" target="_blank">told The AP</a>. "And I got the 50 bucks a month, too. It was all uphill from there."</p><p>Billingham continued on and he eventually <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/billija01.shtml" target="_blank">made the majors</a> over 13 seasons, winning 10 or more games over 10 of those campaigns. He won 19 games twice. He also later became a coach.</p><p>But Billingham is perhaps most remembered for a pitch where he <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/anderson-herald-jack-billingham-april/140623428/" target="_blank">gave up a home run</a> - Hank Aaron's 714th.</p><p>Billingham's career began in 1961, <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/8822/" target="_blank">signed by the Dodgers</a> out of Winter Park High School in Florida.</p><p>Billingham started at Class D Orlando. He <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=billin001joh" target="_blank">made Class A Santa Barbara</a> and then St. Petersburg in 1964 and AAA Albuquerque in 1965.</p><p>He made Los Angeles in 1968, them <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/billija01.shtml" target="_blank">moved to Houston</a> in 1969. He went 13-9 for the Astros in 1970, with a 3.98 ERA.</p><p>He moved to the Reds for 1972 and went 12-12. He also <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=billija01&t=p&year=0&post=1" target="_blank">took the win in Game 3</a> of the World Series and saved Game 5. He became an All-Star in 1973 as he went 19-10.</p><p>Then, to start 1974, he threw Aaron an <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/anderson-herald-jack-billingham-april/140623428/" target="_blank">outside fastball</a> and Aaron hit No. 714 to tie Babe Ruth.</p><p>"He deserves it," Billingham <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/anderson-herald-jack-billingham-april/140623428/" target="_blank">told The AP</a> afterward. "He's the greatest I've ever seen. It's unfortunate he hit it against me."</p><p>Billingham <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/billija01.shtml" target="_blank">continued in the majors</a> through 1980. He ended with a total of 145 major league wins to 113 losses and a career 3.83 ERA. He <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=billija01&t=p&year=0&post=1" target="_blank">also played in</a> the 1975 and 1976 World Series.</p><p>Billingham then started his coaching career by 1987, at <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/8822/jobs/" target="_blank">single-A Osceola</a>. He stayed with Osceola and then Kissimmee as pitching coach trough 1999.</p><p>In August 1991, he worked with pitcher <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=griffi001bri" target="_blank">Brian Griffiths</a> on his control, <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-jack-billingham-a/140626784/" target="_blank">The Orlando Sentinel wrote</a>.</p><p>"Velocity is only one tool a pitcher has," Billingham <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-jack-billingham-a/140626784/" target="_blank">told The Sentinel</a>. "If it isn't directed over the plate, it does no good. We finally convinced Brian there's a plate he has to throw it over."</p><p>Billing is last credited as <a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/8822/jobs/" target="_blank">serving as a pitching coach</a> in 2002, with the Astros at rookie Martinsville.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6-MscXEkjBagXx98iT_1mi8qAzh7_CKz3OJAeIuzxA_zH-mqUHR58jVGCPjLQ1OhLsyC0DzmCrXIHTly_YojIpeV_DR0JiRyxkcty-BJSqv92oRyKkQ2T-zIb1wyd6bTrfbe7uRQdEpg-z2qehRPalo8x3-xDDl5tbksOhRO0g-luYNbSUtg7kjpCdQ/s350/StarOsc28.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jack Billingham 1990 Osceola Astros card" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="249" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6-MscXEkjBagXx98iT_1mi8qAzh7_CKz3OJAeIuzxA_zH-mqUHR58jVGCPjLQ1OhLsyC0DzmCrXIHTly_YojIpeV_DR0JiRyxkcty-BJSqv92oRyKkQ2T-zIb1wyd6bTrfbe7uRQdEpg-z2qehRPalo8x3-xDDl5tbksOhRO0g-luYNbSUtg7kjpCdQ/w228-h320/StarOsc28.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://thebaseballcube.com/content/player/8822/" target="_blank">Spokane Chronicle, Associated Press Oct. 19, 1972: Dodger Raise Kept Hurler in Baseball</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/anderson-herald-jack-billingham-april/140623428/" target="_blank">Anderson Herald, April 5, 1974: My Mistake, Says Jack Billingham</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-jack-billingham-a/140626784/" target="_blank">Orlando Sentinel, Aug. 11, 1991: Astros' Griffiths takes control</a></li></ul><p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>More: <a href="http://www.greatest21days.com/2024/02/1990-osceola-astros-player-profiles.html">The 1990 Osceola Astros</a></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div><b>1990 Minor League Tally</b> </div><div><b>Players/Coaches Featured:</b>4,306<br /><b>Made the Majors:</b>1,394-32.4%<br /><b>Never Made Majors:</b>2,912-67.6%<b>-X</b></div><div><b>5+ Seasons in the Majors:</b>567<br /><b>10+ Seasons in the Minors:</b>349</div></div>Steve78http://www.blogger.com/profile/17050917320475941411noreply@blogger.com0