Bub Maietta, Door Opened - 3158

Bub Maietta's Dubois Senior World Series team stayed alive in the 1986 tournament and Maietta pointed to a walk and an error that got his team going, according to The Orlando Sentinel.

"I thought that opened the door for us," Maietta told The Sentinel afterward. ''It gave us all the momentum we needed.''

Maietta did his part for his Dubois 13-15 team earlier in the game to get his team going: He hit a solo home run. He went on to do his part in high school, enough to get notice as one of the top high school prospects and turn pro.

In the pros, though, Maietta never really gained traction. He played three seasons. He never made AA.

Maietta's pro career began in 1989, taken by the Tigers in the 11th round of the draft out of Dubois Area High School in Pennsylvania. Maietta is also credited by his given name, Ron Maietta.

At Dubois, Maietta also played football. He remains third on the school's passing record list.

On the Dubois baseball field, Maietta won Scholastic baseball player of the year honors for Pennsylvania in 1989. He also made a high school prospects baseball card set.

He went 9-1 his senior year at Dubois, with a 1.29 ERA. He made the U.S. Junior National Team in 1988 and the U.S. Olympic Festival in 1989.

In the pros, the pitcher started with the Tigers at rookie Bristol. He got into nine games, started three, with an ERA of 3.71. He returned there for 1990, getting just six starts in a brief campaign. Maietta and a young Tony Clark roomed together for a time.

Maietta moved to the Red Sox for 1991, what turned out to be his final season. He played between the rookie Gulf Coast League and high-A Winter Haven. He went 2-5 between them, with a 6.21 ERA, ending his career.

Maietta made one more bid at sports, years later, back in football. Attending Youngstown State in 1996, The Indiana Gazette in Pennsylvania reported he expected to make a bid for the schools gridiron team that fall.

• Orlando Sentinel, Aug. 14, 1986: Pennsylvania Remains Alive With Last-Inning Rally, 10-9

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 2,419
Made the Majors: 990-40.9%
Never Made Majors:1,429-59.1%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 413
10+ Seasons in the Minors:248

Jose Lima, His Time - 3156

The Associated Press noted Jose Lima's "on-mound exuberance" in reporting his return to the Astros with a new contract in 2000. Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker noted that exuberance played a part in Lima's success.

"I think what makes Jose unique is not his skill as a pitcher but his willingness to express himself when he's not only out on the mound, but whenever he's in public," Hunsicker told The AP. "He's not afraid of what people think. I really believe that has played a part in his success."

Lima earned that new contract - three years, $18.75 million - after seasons where he posted 16 and 21 wins. He also made the All-Star game in 1999, marking the height of "Lima Time."

Lima played seven more major league seasons, never matching his success those two years. But he did have one big playoff moment with the Dodgers in 2004. He continued playing in the bigs until 2006 and then in independent ball through 2009. In May 2010, Lima passed away at the age of 37.

Lima's career began in 1989, signed by the Tigers as a free agent out of his native Dominican Republic, where he attended Laschargas High School.

Lima started for the Tigers at rookie Bristol. The 17-year-old went 3-8, with a 5.02 ERA over 14 outings, 12 starts. Lima made AA London in 1993, then AAA Toledo and Detroit in 1994.

Lima got into three games for the Tigers in 1994, giving up 10 earned in 6.2 innings of work. That May, longtime Tiger Lou Whitaker praised the youngster upon his first call up.

"I can't remember the last time a kid came along with that kind of confidence," Whitaker told The AP. "He handles himself like he has been around for years. And I think he probably will be around here for a lot of years."

Lima returned for 15 more starts in 1995 and 39 outings mostly in relief in 1996. His best ERA came in at 5.70 in 1996. He arrived with the Astros for 1997 in a trade. After pitching that season in relief, Lima returned to starting in 1998 and he took off.

Lima went 16-8 for the Astros that year, with a 3.70 ERA. In 1999, his All-Star season, Lima did even better. He went 21-10, with a 3.58 ERA.

Lima took the starting rotation job in 1998 after injuries. After early success, he worked with his pitching coach to add a sinker and slider, according to The Houston Chronicle.

"Everybody says we made the decision (to put him in the starting rotation)," Astros manager Larry Dierker told The Chronicle. "That decision made itself."

After returning to the Astros for 2000, Lima's record regressed to 7-16, with a 6.65 ERA. He returned to Detroit in 2001. He continued playing in the majors into 2006, getting time with the Royals, Dodgers and Mets.

His last big season came in 2004 with the Dodgers, going 13-5, with a 4.07 ERA. He helped he Dodgers to the playoffs, and avoid elimination against the Cardinals for a night with a complete-game, five hitter.

The AP described his reaction to the win as including pumping his fist, shouting and pointing at teammates. Before the game, he drew the initials of family members on the mound.

"He's always been like that," the Cardinals Reggie Sanders told The AP afterward. "One thing, on our part, you can't get too hyped up or too caught up on that. Lima has always been Lima. He tries to get you caught up in his world. He did tonight."

After spending time in Mexico, Korea, his native Dominican Republic and independent ball, Lima threw his final professional pitch in 2009. Then, in May 2010, he passed away at the age of 37.

"He had a great flair and such enthusiasm for life," Tal Smith, Astros president of baseball operations told The AP after Lima's passing. "'Lima Time' was a special time. 'Lima Time' was whenever he was pitching, or at any event or club function or civic function that he was at. He'd get up and sing and dance, and he was very, very good. He was a real entertainer."

• Owosso Argus-Press, Associated Press, May 1, 1994: Tigers like what they see in Jose Lima
• Gainesville Sun, Houston Chronicle, June 12, 1999: From little known to a leader 
• Bryan Times, Associated Press, Jan. 6, 2000: Lima re-signs with Houston
• Spartanburg Herald-Journal, Associated Press, Oct. 10, 2004: Cards get lesson in 'Lima Time'
• Legacy.com, Associated Press, May 24, 2010: Jose Lima Obituary 

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 2,418
Made the Majors: 990-40.9%-X
Never Made Majors:1,428-59.1%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 413-X
10+ Seasons in the Minors:248

Walter Roy, Rookie Roommate - 14

Read the March 2015 interview: Walter Roy, Gung-Ho

Originally published Jan. 17, 2014

The first couple roommates for Javier Lopez didn't work out. Then he moved in with Walter Roy, and another teammate. The group was rounded out by Roy's wife.

The two were at rookie Pulaski that year and the move for Lopez forced the Puerto Rican-native out of his comfort zone, Lopez wrote years later in his book "Behind the Plate."

"I had to learn English living with them," Lopez wrote. "Walter's wife was there, too. She was a very sweet lady, and she talked to me all the time, taught me a lot."

Lopez went on from there to a major league career that spanned 15 seasons. Roy's career ended the next year at single-A Burlington.

Roy's career began in 1989, signed by the Braves as an undrafted free agent out of Saginaw Valley State University and Mott Community College.

At Pulaski, the pitcher Roy got into 14 games, starting two. He went 2-1, with a 2.12 ERA. He also struck out 23 in 29.2 innings and walked six.

For 1990, Roy moved to single-A Burlington. In 34 relief outings, he picked up seven wins to no losses. He also saved 4 games and put up an ERA of 2.60. Despite the numbers, though, it was Roy's final season as a pro.

Read the March 2015 interview: Walter Roy, Gung-Ho

• Behind the Plate: A Catcher's View of the Braves Dynasty: Chapter 3

Tim Gillis, Got Two - 13

Originally published Jan. 25, 2014

Tim Gillis hit a home run to tie this May 1994 contest for the Greenville Braves. Later, he hit the go-ahead double that won it, according to The Orlando Sentinel.

That double came with two men on in the eighth inning. Gillis told The Sentinel afterward that a double wasn't what he was looking for.

"I was just looking to get a pitch out over the plate and drive it up the middle," Gillis told The Sentinel. "I wanted to drive in at least one. Then the ball rolled to the wall and we got two."

Gillis was in his fifth season as a pro that year with the AA Braves. He wouldn't get another. He never made AAA.

Gillis' career began in 1990, signed by the Braves as an undrafted free agent, out of Livingston University, now the University of West Alabama.

At Livingston, Gillis set school records by hitting 14 home runs, and 44 career doubles. In spring 1989, he also hit .383, according to The Tuscaloosa News.

It wasn't until that October, though, that Gillis got a professional contract. "I'm overwhelmed right now," Gillis told The News after signing.

Gillis played his first year in 1990 at single-A Burlington. He hit 12 home runs, had 61 RBI and finished with a .256 average. Gillis started the year strong, hitting a walk-off home run in his fifth professional game.

He moved to high-A Durham in 1991, returning there in 1992. He hit .246 his first year there and .239 his second. He also hit 21 home runs that second year at Durham.

Gillis made AA Greenville in 1993, hitting .251 on the year, with 14 home runs. He hit one of those home runs in an early August game, a game where he knocked in the 11th-inning, game-winner on a single.

He returned to Greenville for his final season in 1994. He hit nine home runs, ending with a .241 average.

Gillis made one more attempt at the majors in spring 1995 during replacement ball. He hit well early, still batting .500 by March 7. At the end of the strike spring, Gillis got to play in a major league stadium, if only an exhibition game with the replacements. "The excitement everybody felt last night when we got here ... it was a thrill," Gillis told The Rome News-Tribune.

• Tuscaloosa News, Oct. 31, 1989: Gillis inks with Atlanta Braves
• Orlando Sentinel, May 27, 1994: Braves Nudge Cubs, 4-3
• Rome News-Tribune, April 2, 1995: Big-leaguers do have big shoes to fill, Part 2

Eddie Watt, Played There - 12

Originally published Jan. 27, 2014

Early arm problems slowed Eddie Watt's trip through the minors. They even got him thinking about quitting, he told The Associated Press in 1966.

Once he got beyond them, though, he excelled. And he did it in the bigs.

"It's tough to jump to any conclusions," Watt told The AP that August. "A half year is a long way from being successful, but in my own mind I think I can play here."

Watt ended up playing there for a decade. Watt spent eight of his 10 seasons with the Orioles, helping his team to the World Series four times as one of the club's top relievers.

Once his playing career was over, Watt then went on to a career as a coach and manager in the minors. In that career, he worked to help other players on to play in the bigs.

Watt's career in baseball began in 1961, signed by the Orioles as an amateur free agent out of the University of Northern Iowa. He went to Northern Iowa out of Iowa City High School.

Watt's time in the minors focused on starting. His first year came in 1962 at Class D Appleton. He went 11-11 over 22 starts, with a 2.19 ERA. In 23 1964 starts between single-A Aberdeen and AA Elmira, Watt went 17-2.

He then made Baltimore out of spring training 1966 and didn't look back. He got 43 outings, 13 starts in 1966, going 9-7, with a 3.83 ERA. He never started a game again. He also didn't have a final ERA over 3 again until 1970.

In 1969, Watt got into 56 games for the Orioles, saving 16 of them and ending with an ERA of 1.65. He also got his first World Series time that year. He gave up one earned run in three innings, but got the loss in the deciding Game 5.

Watt turned in a 53-outing, 3.25-ERA performance in 1970. But in Game 4 of the World Series, Watt blew a save, leading to the Orioles only loss of the series.

Despite continuing to pitch well over the next three seasons, Watt ended up being regularly booed in Baltimore, according to The AP.

Watt played his final two seasons with the Phillies and the Cubs. Over his 10 seasons, he got into 411 games, saved 80 games and had a career ERA of 2.91.

In spring 1974, Watt told The AP about his satisfaction at being a reliever.

"I never want to start the rest of my pitching life," Watt told The AP. "I'm happy in the bullpen. It's the only place I pitch. I'm physically and emotionally made up for relieving."

Watt started his coaching career by 1978, managing high-A Reno. He moved to AA Amarillo in 1980. In 1990, he served as pitching coach at single-A Burlington. He's last recorded as working as pitching coach in 1999 in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He never made the majors as a coach.

In 1982, as a minor league coach for the Phillies, Watt told The Bend Bulletin his intentions.

"I want to stay in baseball and I've wanted to stay in baseball since I signed my first contract in 1961," Watt told The Bulletin. "I like working with the young people when you can watch them advance week-by-week, as players, as professionals, as human beings."

• Miami News, Associated Press, Aug. 23, 1966: Eddie Watt Convinces His Critics
• Lawrence Journal-World, Associated Press, May 8, 1972: Watt No Hero To Birds' Fans
• Reading Eagle, Associated Press, March 24, 1974: Watt Awaits New Life As Phils' Reliever
• Bend Bulletin, July 1, 1982: A bit of history

Alex Ubina, Late Selection - 3157

Alex Ubina gained interest from scouts in the 1989 and soon signed a professional contract. But the way in which he signed proved somewhat novel.

Ubina, a native of Puerto Rico, found himself among the first class of Puerto Rican ballplayers to be taken in the baseball draft. Prior to 1989, players from the commonwealth could be signed at will by teams independent of the draft.

Ubina's selection came in the 52nd round of the draft by the Tigers - the first Puerto Rican taken came a few rounds earlier, in the seventh.

Ubina ultimately couldn't overcome his late selection. His career lasted two seasons. He never made it out of rookie ball.

Ubina's career began that year in 1989, when the Tigers selected him out of Manuela-Toro High School in Caguas, P.R. Ubina is also credited as Alex Ubinas.

Ubina started with the Tigers at rookie Bristol. He first hit the field in 1990, the year after the Tigers took him in the draft.

He got into 39 games that first year. He played 21 of those games at catcher. He even got six outings as a pitcher. At the plate, Ubina hit .256 and knocked in eight runs. On the mound, he gave up five earned in 10 innings of work.

Ubina returned for 1991 and he returned to Bristol. He got into 12 games, mostly as catcher. He picked up eight hits in 27 at bats, ending his career.

• PerfectGame.org, Nov. 12, 2012: Puerto Rico and the Draft

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 2,417
Made the Majors: 989-40.9%
Never Made Majors:1,428-59.1%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 412
10+ Seasons in the Minors:248

Dave Reis, Bailed Out - 7

Originally published Jan. 28, 2014

Dave Reis didn't pitch well this August 1988 night for the rookie Pulaski Braves, but his team pulled out the win, according to The Pulaski Southwest Times.

Reis went five innings for Pulaski, giving up five runs. Four of those runs were earned. He also gave up four hits, struck out one and walked two, The Southwest Times wrote.

It was a late Pulaski surge that bailed Reis and the Braves out, Pulaski winning going away.

Reis was in his first season as a pro that year. He only got two more. He also never made AA.

Reis' career began that year in 1988, signed by the Braves as an undrafted free agent out of Stanford University.

With the Braves, Reis started at Pulaski. He got 13 outings, 12 of them starts. He went 2-5, ending with a 4.97 ERA.

Reis moved to single-A Burlington in 1989. He also moved to the bullpen. In 34 total outings, he got eight starts. He went 7-5, with a 3.32 ERA. He also saved one.

For 1990, Reis returned to Burlington, but took on a new role. He turned closer. In 44 total relief outings, Reis picked up 17 saves, with a won-loss record of 5-7. His ERA came in at a steady 3.38, but it was his final year as a pro.

• Pulaski Southwest Times, Aug. 7, 1988: Braves on warpath, rally in bottom of 8th