Jackson Todd returned from cancer to bigs, long coaching career

The Blue Jays finished the 1980 season on a three-game winning streak, the final game won by right-hander Jackson Todd on a complete-game six-hitter.

Todd finished up his third season with time in the majors with a career-best 5-2 record in 12 starts.

"Actually, I wish the season could last forever," Todd told told UPI afterward. "It's fun to come to the park now. It's a lot of fun playing the game again."

For Todd, just that he was there was an achievement. Six years earlier, a type of abdominal cancer nearly ended his career - and his life.

It was Todd's eighth season overall as a pro. His next, though, would be his last in the majors. His coaching career began shortly afterward.

Todd's pro career began in 1973, taken by the Mets in the second round of the draft out of the University of Oklahoma.

The Mets selected Todd as he was fresh off a College World Series run that saw Todd's Sooners ousted by Texas in a game Todd started.

"I was particularly pleased with the way we hit the ball against Jackson Todd," Texas coach Cliff Gustafson told The Associated Press after the Texas win, "because I consider him one of the really fine college pitchers in the country."

With the Mets, Todd started at AA Memphis, going 6-5 in 14 outings. He stayed at AA through 1975, making AAA Tidewater in 1976. It was in May 1977 that Todd debuted in the majors, with the Mets.

Todd, though, was lucky to be there, and alive, after a bout with lymphatic cancer. He was diagnosed after the close of the 1974 season. "They said I was at death's door," Todd told The AP in 1977. Chemotherapy, though, brought him back, saving his life.

To UPI in spring 1976, Todd recounted the moment he found out he had the cancer. As far as how serious it was, he wasn't told initially.

"What did I say when they told me?" Todd told UPI that spring, repeating the reporter's question. "There isn't much you can say. I wasn't frightened. They really didn't tell me how serious it was."

With the Mets in 1977, Todd got into 19 games, making 10 starts. He went 3-6, with a 4.77 ERA. For 1978, Todd moved to the Phillies in a trade. He also spent the year at AAA Oklahoma City.

Todd returned to the majors in 1979, signing with the Blue Jays. He got into 12 games, starting one, with a 5.85 ERA.

For 1980, Todd made the Blue Jays in August, winning four of his first five decisions. His fourth win came Sept. 9 against the Yankees, giving up four earned runs in 6.2 innings of work.

"I did my job, kept us in the game and kept us close," Todd told reporters after the game. "That's all I want to do every time out."

Todd finished out his major league career in 1981, with 21 outings, 13 starts. He went 2-7, with a 3.96 ERA. His playing career, though, didn't finally end until 1985, playing much of that final year with the White Sox at AAA Buffalo.

By 1987, Todd had started his coaching career, as pitching coach at AAA Denver. He stayed there four four seasons, moving to single-A Gastonia in 1991. He then moved to AA Tulsa in 1992. Todd is last recorded as coaching in 1996, at AA Memphis, never making it back to the majors as a coach.

• Lawrence Journal-World, Associated Press, June 11, 1973: Southern Cal Only Unbeaten Left
• Lexington Dispatch, UPI, March 24, 1976: Baseball fans will love Jackson Todd
• Williamson Daily News, Associated Press, May 23, 1977: Bench, Todd heroes as Reds, Mets split
• Wilmington Morning Star, wire reports, Sept. 10, 1980: Yankees lose; Orioles win
  
• Nashua Telegraph, UPI, Oct. 6, 1980: Bosox end with a loss

More: The 1990 Denver Zephyrs

1990 CMC Tally
Cards Featured: 779/880 - 88.5%
Players/Coaches Featured: 790
Made the Majors: 537 - 68%
Never Made the Majors:252-32%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 240
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 146

Todd Frohwirth, More Excited - 250

Todd Frohwirth's major league debut seemed to go by quickly, the rookie told The Philadelphia Inquirer.

But, in August 1987 against the Cubs, Frohwirth came into the fifth inning, going 1.2 scoreless innings, picking up the win. He also struck out eventual National League MVP Andre Dawson, the first batter Frohwirth faced, as Dawson represented the go-ahead run.

"And I didn't have time to think it was Dawson," Frohwirth told The Inquirer afterward. "I just wanted to throw strikes and I threw him sinkers and sliders. And then I end up with a win in my first game, which right now makes me more excited than I've ever been in my life. It all really hasn't sunk in yet."

Frohwirth and his unusual submarine style delivery debuted in the majors that day in his fourth professional year. He would go on to pitch in a total of nine major league seasons, not throwing his final pitch until 1996.

Frohwirth's professional career began in 1984, taken by the Phillies in the 13th round of the draft, out of Northwest Missouri State University.

Frohwirth started with the Phillies at short-season Bend, making AA Reading in 1986. In 1987, he made AAA Maine and then major-league Philadelphia.

With the Phillies in 1987, Frohwirth got into 10 games in relief, getting that one win. He also gave up no earned runs, scattering 12 hits in 11 innings of work.

Frohwirth returned to Philadelphia for 12 more outings in 1988. This time, though, in 12 innings of work, he gave up 11 earned runs.

In 1989, though, Frohwirth got his first extended time in the bigs, getting into 45 games in relief. He posted a 3.59 ERA. For 1990, though, Frohwirth got into only five games, all in April. In those five games, he also totaled only one inning of work.

"It's frustrating," Frohwirth told The Inquirer after learning he wasn't going to continue with the big club. "It would have been nice if they had looked on me as one of the guys on the team in spring training. I had like a 2.80 earned run average after the All-Star break and I helped the team."

Frohwirth finished out the year at AAA Scranton. For 1991 then, Frohwirth signed with the Orioles.

With the Orioles, Frohwirth became a major league regular again. He got into 51 games that year and 65 the next. In 1993, he got into 70. His first year there, Frohwirth also had a sterling 1.87 ERA. By 1993, his ERA was still sub-4, at 3.83.

In 1994, though, Frohwirth hit a wall. His outings dropped to 22 and his ERA nearly hit 11. He came back two seasons later for four final unsuccessful outings with the Angels.

Frohwirth has gone on to be a scout and a coach. In 1999, he served as pitching coach at single-A Beloit. By 2006, he was coaching in high school - high school basketball, girls basketball at Whitefish Bay in Wisconsin.

In 2011, Frohwirth took over as Mukwonago High School girls basketball coach, while scouting in Wisconsin for the Orioles, according to Mukwonago Chief.

"If I would not have gone into baseball and become a baseball player and been sidetracked from a normal career path, I would have been a teacher or something in a school," Frohwirth told The Chief in September 2011. "I've always had that in my bloodline."

• Philadelphia Inquirer, Aug. 11, 1987: Phils Down Cubs, 4-2
• Philadelphia Inquirer, April 28, 1990: Grand Time For A Slam
• Mukwonago Chief, Sept. 6, 2011: Frohwirth hired as new girls basketball coach

1990 CMC Tally
Cards Featured: 778/880 - 88.4%
Players/Coaches Featured: 789
Made the Majors: 537 - 68%-X
Never Made the Majors:252-32%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 240-X
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 146

Chris Knabenshue, Out There - 246

Chris Knabenshue had three hits in the previous game for the Charleston Rainbows. But his late miscue in the field meant those didn't matter, The Charleston News and Courier wrote.

In this April 1986 game, though, Knabenshoe got one more hit, and one less fielding miscue, going 4-for-4 with a home run in a Charleston win.

"I needed a game like this after last night," Knabenshoe told The News and Courier. "I can't remember the last time I was 4-for-4. That's what I was thinking out there. I don't even know if I've ever been 4-for-4."

Knabenshoe went on to have shots at similar games at AA and AAA, but he never got a shot to have a game like that in the majors. Knabenshoe, however, has since gone on to a career looking for other players who have shots at playing well in the pros, serving as a scout for the Braves.

Knabenshoe's career began in 1985, taken by the Padres in the fifth round of the draft, out of the University of Northern Colorado.

With the Padres, Knabenshoe started at short-season Spokane. There, Knabenshoe hit .279 in 71 games, stealing 10 bases.

That July, Knabenshoe got caught up in a bench-clearing brawl, becoming one of five members of his team to get ejected. Spokane also lost the game, thereby losing the brawl, Knabenshoe told The Spokane Chronicle.

"They did because they won the game," Knabenshoe told The Chronicle. "That's the only thing I feel badly about."

Knabenshoe moved up to AA Wichita in 1987, hitting .309, with 20 stolen bases and 15 home runs. The next year at Wichita, Knabenshoe hit .245, with 16 stolen bases and 16 home runs.

Knabenshoe made AAA for the first time in 1989, with Las Vegas, hitting .258, with 18 home runs and no stolen bases.

He moved to the Phillies system for 1990, playing at AAA Scranton. At Scranton, Knabenshoe hit a three-run home run in a July game. Overall, he hit just .237, with 18 home runs and 11 swipes.

Knabenshoe's time with Scranton was his last full year in affiliated ball. In 1991, he was credited with playing for four different teams and organizations, including in Mexico. He is last credited as playing in 1995, with just four games each at AAA Calgary and the Pirates rookie league team.

Knabenshoe has gone on to a career as a scout. More recently, Knabenshoe has focused on the Utah-Colorado-Wyoming region.

• Spokane Chronicle, July 12, 1986: Angels, Indians in brawl, Part 2
• Charleston News and Courier, April 13, 1986: Knabenshoe repays debt for Rainbows

1990 CMC Tally
Cards Featured: 777/880 - 88.3%
Players/Coaches Featured: 788
Made the Majors: 536 - 68%
Never Made the Majors:252-32%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 239
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 146-X

Shane Letterio, Felt Confident - 758

For Shane Letterio, frustrations mounted in 1992. But he was still optimistic.

Having played briefly the year before at AAA Calgary, Letterio finished out that year all the way back at high-A Peninsula. In 1992, his sixth season as a pro, he was at AA Jacksonville and not playing every day.

"I still feel confident that I can make it to the big leagues," Letterio told The Orlando Sentinel that June as he tried to come back from an injury. "I just have to get back to playing on a regular basis and show what I can do."

The optimism aside, in his six professional seasons, Letterio never did make it to the big leagues.

Letterio's career began with promise in 1987. Selected by the Reds in the fifth round of the draft, out of Lake Mary High School in Florida, Letterio had to choose between the Reds and the University of Miami.

That April, Letterio signed his scholarship to go to Miami, calling the opportunity to the school an honor, according to The Sentinel. But, by June, Letterio was a Red, skipping his scholarship for the pros.

Letterio started with the Reds at rookie Billings, hitting .284 in 64 games. He moved to single-A Greensboro for 1988, his average dipping to .223.

In 1989, Letterio finally arrived at Miami, playing for the unaffiliated Miami Miracle, though still with the Reds. He hit .255, with four home runs. One of those home runs came in May, a three-run shot in a 4-3 loss.

For 1990, Letterio arrived in the Mariners system, taken in the minor league draft. With the Mariners, Letterio saw AA for the first time, at Williamsport. He hit .251, with two home runs. In one July contest, Letterio had three hits.

Letterio made the jump to AAA Calgary to start 1991. He got into 17 games, hitting just .174. Then he got sent back down, all the way to Peninsula at single-A. Letterio was told he would likely return to AA later in the year, and learn other spots in the field.

"I was upset at first," Letterio told The Newport News Daily Press in May. "Up there, I was playing like three times a week. This way I'll have more of an opportunity to play. Here, I'll be learning all kinds of positions."

But Letterio never made AA that year, he remained at Peninsula the rest of the season. He then saw Jacksonville in 1992, what would be the final year of his playing career.

Letterio has since gone on to continue in baseball, as an instructor, heading up Letterio Baseball Academy in Longwood, Fl.

• Orlando Sentinel, April 12, 1987: Letterio: Miami Is A 'Cut Above'
• Newport News Daily Press, May 26, 1991: Newcomer Caps Pilots' Comeback Against Winston-Salem 
• Orlando Sentinel, June 25, 1992: Letterio's Promising Baseball Future Sours

1990 CMC Tally
Cards Featured: 776/880 - 88.2%
Players/Coaches Featured: 787
Made the Majors: 536 - 68%
Never Made the Majors:251-32%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 239
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 145

Road Trip: Montreal - Search for the Expos

Montreal's Olympic Stadium in May 2012, during a soccer game between the Montreal Impact and the New York Red Bulls. (G21D Photo)

Olympic Stadium 
2012: Expos Search | 2014: Expos Found 
2014: Honoring 1994 | 2014: Expos Speak 


My wife and I recently saw some major league action in Montreal. At Olympic Stadium, no less.

We saw it nearly eight years after the last Major League Baseball game was played there.

This "major league" action was Major League Soccer and the new Montreal Impact.

We actually didn't go there really to see the soccer game. We went there, or at least I wanted to go there, to see what was left, if anything, of the old Expos in the stadium they called home for nearly 30 years.

The quick answer to what is left of the Expos at Olympic Stadium eight years on: Hardly anything.

Montreal's Olympic Stadium in April 2002, a Wednesday night game between the Cubs and the Expos. (G21D Photo)

Backing up a bit, I got the opportunity to go up to see an actual Expos game back in 2002. I drove up with a friend to see the Cubs play. It was actually this game. The Cubs went up 6-0 and proceeded to lose 15-8.

And this is how the old stadium looked then. It wasn't pretty. But it was baseball pretty. Note the backstop with the viewing area right behind home plate.

My wife and I met the next year, in 2003. And we started going to baseball games together in 2004. We actually went to four major league games that year, at Comerica Park, Wrigley Field, Fenway Park and Shea Stadium. But we didn't make it up to Montreal, and we easily could have. I just didn't get the message that the Expos were really, truly leaving that year.

We've since seen games at a total of 17 major league parks. But we never got to see the Expos at Olympic Stadium. It's one of my great regrets.

Seeing a soccer game there is obviously a poor substitute. But we got to see a game at Olympic Stadium, just not a baseball game.

Olympic Stadium in May 2012, in soccer configuration. (G21D Photo)

So this is how Olympic Stadium looked 10 years after my one and only trip. Obviously, this is the soccer configuration. The area behind where home plate was was filled. But it was filled with soccer hooligans, beating their drums and chanting their chants. We actually originally sat over that way, but the chanting was too much.

We stayed there for much of the first half. The Impact and the Red Bulls each got a run, or something.

The soccer hooligans behind home plate. (G21D Photo)

But we had a stadium to see.

So, we went looking for signs of the Expos. Going in, I figured there would be some acknolwedgment of the franchise that called the city home for so long. Of the players.

Something.

Looking around the interior and around the concourse, though, there was nothing.

We didn't spot a single thing that said "Expos." Maybe it was there, but was just covered up by the Impact signs. This was a soccer game after all.

The Olympic Stadium scoreboard in 2002. (G21D Photo)

An obvious example of that was the scoreboard. Note the big Expos sign to the far left.

The Olympic Stadium scoreboard in 2012. (G21D Photo)

And here's how it looked during the soccer game. Note in the place where the Expos sign was, was now a soccer jersey. The Quebec sign to the far right, though, was unchanged.

What still had an Expos flavor, if not the actual Expos logo, were the concession stands. With no real tenant since the team left, those have remained unchanged. Even the Impact had no reason to change those.

This was the last game at Olympic Stadium before they moved into their new soccer-specific stadium.

The Bienvenue Grill at Olympic Stadium in 2012. (G21D Photo)

This is the Bienvenue Grill, note the color styling on "Grill" and the pinstripes. We picked up some mais souffle and Coca-Cola Diete.

The Montreal Hot Dog stand at Olympic Stadium. (G21D Photo)

If the other concession stand didn't say Expos, this one almost did. It actually has a baseball right there to the left of the marquee.

That's about it for Expos references.

Except for this one.

This is the only Expos logo or direct reference I spotted in the stadium.

And it was on this guy. One of the soccer hooligans.

Olympic Stadium 
2012: Expos Search | 2014: Expos Found 
2014: Honoring 1994 | 2014: Expos Speak 

 Some other photos from Olympic Stadium 2012:

The Montreal Impact playing the New York Red Bulls. (G21D Photo)

Soccer Zambonis (G21D Photo)

Olympic Stadium's horrible seating. (G21D Photo)

What used to be prime seats. (G21D Photo)

Olympic Stadium's troubled roof. (G21D Photo)

An empty Olympic Stadium concourse. (G21D Photo)

Olympic Stadium. The Red Bulls won 2-1. (G21D Photo)

Olympic Stadium from across the St. Lawrence River. (G21D Photo)

Jim Beauchamp knew hard work made bigs, as player, and coach

Mark Lemke thought he and his teammates got their manager in instructional league Jim Beauchamp upset one day in 1986, Lemke told The Associated Press years later.

But, to a team that include the young Lemke, David Justice and Ron Gant, Beauchamp looked toward the future, rather than that day's workouts.

"He got us together and told us if we work hard, one day this group will be riding down Peachtree Street in a ticker-tape parade," Lemke told The AP in October 1991. "Myself, I was thinking 'Where is Peachtree Street?'"

The occasion was that group of Braves entering the World Series against the Twins. That group included the Braves' first-year bench coach Beauchamp.

And, while that group didn't quite get that parade down Atlanta's Peachtree Street that year, Beauchamp and the Braves did get there as world champions four years later.

By 1991, Beauchamp was a good 16 years into his career as manager in the minors and coach in the majors. He was also more than three decades into his overall career in baseball, having spent 15 seasons previously as a player, 10 of those seasons with time in the majors.

And Beauchamp would continue in the game, staying with the Braves in one capacity or another until his passing in 2007, at the age of 68.

Beauchamp's managerial career began in 1975, the year after he played his last game as a player. He started at AA Columbus in the Astros system, an organization he twice played for. By 1976, he was helming AAA Memphis.

Beauchamp stayed managing at AAA through 1984, moving to the Reds system in 1980 and the Blue Jays in 1982. Beauchamp joined the Blue Jays system the same year his son Kash Beauchamp did, the Blue Jays selecting the younger Beauchamp in the January 1982 draft.

In 1985, Jim Beauchamp joined the Braves system, the organization he would be with for the rest of his career. He managed AA Greenville that year, moving up to AAA Richmond in 1988, stewarding the Braves' young prospects to the majors.

In June 1990, Beauchamp watched over a young Steve Avery, liking what he saw.

"He's got it written all over him," Beauchamp told The New York Times Regional Newspapers of Avery. "He's a superstar, you know, just the way he carries himself, handles himself on the field. There's just not enough good things you can say about him."

Beauchamp moved up to Atlanta in 1991 as bench coach, staying in that capacity through 1998, including the championship year of 1995.

He then moved on to Braves minor league outfielder instructor, then supervisor of minor league field operations.

In December 2007, Beauchamp passed away after a battle with acute myelogenous leukemia.

"As a son, my fondest memory of him was how much he told us he loved us," son Kash Beauchamp told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution after his father's passing. "As tough as he was as a competitor and a baseball man, he had a very soft side when it came to being a father."

This covers Jim Beauchamp's managerial and coaching career. For his playing career, go to Jim Beauchamp, Can't Expect 

• Florence Times Daily, New York Times Regional Newspapers, June 13, 1990: Braves' Avery ready to prove himself
• Spartanburg Herald-Journal, Associated Press, Oct. 25, 1991: Beauchamp predicted World Series in 1986
• USA Today, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Dec. 28, 2007: Former Atlanta coach Jim Beauchamp dies at 68

More: The 1990 Richmond Braves

1990 CMC Tally
Cards Featured: 775/880 - 88.1%
Players/Coaches Featured: 786
Made the Majors: 536 - 68%-X
Never Made the Majors:250-32%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 239
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 145

Jim Beauchamp, Can't Expect - Playing Days

This features Jim Beauchamp's playing career. For the feature on his coaching days, go to Jim Beauchamp, Hard Work

It was perhaps the best two-game span of Jim Beauchamp's career. On Aug. 21., 1972, the Mets hitter knocked in three on two home runs against the Astros. The next night, he knocked in four, hitting another home run.

In both games, Beauchamp knocked in the game-winners.

"I can't expect things to go on like this," Beauchamp told The Associated Press after the second contest. "But at least I'm contributing for a change."

Beauchamp was contributing in his ninth season with time in the majors, his 14th as a pro. He would go on contributing in the game, as a manager and a coach, contributing almost until his passing in 2007 - after nearly five decades in baseball.

Beauchamp's career in baseball began in 1958, signed by the Cardinals as an amateur free agent out of Grove High School in Oklahoma.

Beauchamp started at single-A York in 1958, then moved to AA Tulsa in 1959. He made AAA San Juan and Charleston in 1961. In September 1963, Beauchamp debuted with the Cardinals.

In four games with St. Louis, Beauchamp got three at bats and no hits. For 1964, he arrived with Houston in a three-player deal. He got into 23 games for the Colt .45s, getting nine hits for a .164 average. He also hit two home runs.

In an exhibition game in the new Astrodome in April 1965, Beauchamp knocked in six runs, three on a home run. During the season, Beauchamp got into 24 games for the renamed Astros, hitting .189. By May, he arrived with the Braves in another trade. He got into just four more games that year with the Braves.

He spent 1966 completely at AAA Richmond, returning to the majors with the Braves in 1967 for just four more game. His big league time, though, increased. By 1970, Beauchamp got into 75 total games between the Astros and the Cardinals.

In 1971, he returned to St. Louis and got into 77 games. In 1972, when he got those three home runs in two nights, Beauchamp got into 56 other contests, hitting .242, with five total home runs.

The night he hit his two home runs, Beauchamp hit his first ball almost to the wall for an out.

"I thought, 'Here we go again. That'll be my best shot of the night," Beauchamp told The AP. "I had a good cut at a fastball on that one. I'm known primarily as a fastball hitter, so I decided to look for breaking pitches after that."

Beauchamp played in one more big league season, 50 games in 1973 with the Mets, ending with time in 10. He then played one more season in the minors with the Cardinals, ending his playing career.

He then went on to his long post-playing career as a manager and coach in the minors, and making it back to the majors as a coach for the Braves.

For the feature on his coaching days, go to Jim Beauchamp, Hard Work

• Reading Eagle, Associated Press, April 11, 1965: Dome's Glare Causes Havoc In Houston
• Hendersonville Times-News, Associated Press, Aug. 22, 1972: Atlanta Halts Steve Carlton's 15 Game Win Streak
  
• Eugene Register-Guard, Associated Press, Aug. 22, 1972: Briles settles for one-hit sparkler

Terry Wells, Fresh Start - 415

Terry Wells made it to AAA Tucson in 1989, his fourth season in the minors. But his success there was limited - five losses as a reliever and an ERA approaching 6 in a half season of work.

So, in spring 1990, the Astros chose to trade Wells to the Dodgers for Franklin Stubbs. Wells, according to The Houston Chronicle, welcomed the move.

"This is a good deal for me, to get a fresh start," Wells told The Chronicle. "This means somebody wants me. Nothing against the Astros, but I hope our paths cross again real soon."

With the Dodgers that year, Wells did get a fresh start. He also made the majors. But his time in the bigs was brief. Turned starter, Wells began five games. He went 1-2, marking the extent of his big league career.

Wells began with the Astros, taken in the eighth round of the 1985 draft, out of the University of Illinois. 

He played his first year at short-season Auburn, moving to single-A Asheville in 1986. He made AA Columbus in 1988, getting his first extended look at relief. In 37 outings there, he posted a 4.57 ERA.

Wells continued relieving in 1989, splitting time between Columbus and AAA Tucson. Then he was traded.

With the Dodgers, Wells began the year at AAA Albuquerque, returning to a starting role. It was as a starter that Wells made Los Angeles, the team hoping he could fill the fifth slot in the rotation, The Los Angeles Times wrote.

He debuted July 3 against the Cubs. He went deep into the game, completing six innings. But he also gave up four earned runs and got the no-decision.

"I battled," Wells told The Times after his debut. "I didn't have good stuff--I only had one pitch today, my fastball. I don't feel too bad about it, I made some mistakes but I'm looking forward to the next time out there."

After a four-inning outing, where he gave up another four earned runs against the Pirates, Dodgers pitching coach Ron Perranoski told The Times there were no guarantees for Wells.

"I can't say what our plans are for him, and I can't say he's our fifth guy," Perranoski told The Times. "He's only been here two games. But this is his shot, it's what he makes of it."

Wells then went on to pick up his first, and what would be only, win July 16 against the Cardinals.He went 6.1 innings, giving up just one earned run. Wells got just two more starts, failing to make it out of the third in either of them.

Wells played out the year at Albuquerque and returned there for 1991. He then played in just two more seasons, in the Indians and the Rockies systems, ending his career at AAA.

• Houston Chronicle, April 2, 1990: Astros get Stubbs for minor leaguer
• Los Angeles Times, July 4, 1990: Dodgers Rally - Really, 7-6
• Los Angeles Times, July 9, 1990: Wells Behind Early, Stays There in Loss

1990 CMC Tally
Cards Featured: 774/880 - 88.0%
Players/Coaches Featured: 785
Made the Majors: 535 - 68%-X
Never Made the Majors:250-32%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 239
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 145

Wes Chamberlain had fun, played hard in 6 ML seasons

About the only criticism that Phillies general manager Lee Thomas could level at newly acquired outfielder Wes Chamberlain was that the game came too easy for him, The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote.

The criticism, such as it was, Chamberlain still said it wasn't true.

"I've never heard that directed toward me," Chamberlain told The Inquirer after his major league debut. "I've heard that cliché, that (naturally gifted players) kind of do everything laid-back. But that's not me. I go out and have fun and play hard."

Chamberlain went on to play in 18 games for the Phillies that year and in six total seasons in the majors. Even after playing his last major league game, Chamberlain kept playing.

By the time his playing days were done, Chamberlain played hard and had fun in 17 total seasons, including a season in Japan, finally ending in 2004.

Chamberlain's career began in 1987, taken by the Pirates in the fourth round of the draft, out of Jackson State University.

Chamberlain started at short-season Watertown, making AA Harrisburg in 1989 and then AAA Buffalo in 1990. He then made Philadelphia after the trade, hitting .283 in 46 at bats. He also hit two home runs, his second Sept. 28 at Montreal.

In 1991, Chamberlain became a Philadelphia regular, getting into 101 games, hitting .240, with 13 home runs. At one point, Chamberlain hit three two-run home runs in two nights.

"Tell you what," Phillies manager Jim Fregosi told The Inquirer of the third home run in that string. "Wes hit that ball at the end of his bat. That goes to show you how strong he is."

Chamberlain played 76 games with the Phillies in 1992 and 96 games in 1993. By July 1994, Chamberlain was on his way to the Red Sox, sent there in a trade.

"It was nice," Chamberlain told The Inquirer about his time as a Phillie. "I don't have anything negative to say about the Phillies. I might even be back with them one day. You never know in this game."

Chamberlain, though, only played in one more major league season. He got 19 games with the Red Sox in 1995. He played the rest of the year at AAA.

By 1996, Chamberlain was in Japan, playing a season for Chiba Lotte. In 1997, Chamberlain was back stateside, in the minors. In 1998, Chamberlain played his first time in independent ball, where he played each season through the end of his career in 2004.

• Philadelphia Inquirer, Sept. 1, 1990: Chamberlain Lands His 1st At-bat
• Philadelphia Inquirer, Sept. 29, 1990: Phillies Hold On To Edge Expos, 5-4
• Philadelphia Inquirer, Aug. 2, 1991: Phils' Wes Chamberlain Does It Again
• Philadelphia Inquirer, June 1, 1994: Phils Gain A Pitcher In A Trade

More: The 1990 Buffalo Bisons

1990 CMC Tally
Cards Featured: 773/880 - 87.8%
Players/Coaches Featured: 784
Made the Majors: 534 - 68%-X
Never Made the Majors:250-32%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 239-X
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 145   

Neil Allen found majors success as closer, later as starter

Neil Allen finally found success in 1986, something he hadn't seen in some time, The Associated Press wrote.

By that July, the former New York Mets closer was 6-1 and hurling as a starter.

"I made my name in the bullpen, but my whole career was going downhill," Allen told The AP. "The way things were going, if the White Sox hadn't come along, I might have been on Long Island right now cutting grass."

Allen stayed on a major league mound, and away from cutting grass, into 1989. But he still isn't cutting grass. Allen has gone on to a post-playing coaching career. For 2012, he's serving as pitching coach for AAA Durham.

Allen's career began back in 1976, taken by the Mets in the 11th round of the draft out of Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City.

Allen made AAA Tidewater in his third season and Flushing in his fourth. With the Mets in 1979, Allen got into 50 total games, starting five of them. He went 6-10, with eight saves.

Allen came back in 1980 to pick up 22 total saves for the Mets in 59 outings, both would be career highs. In July, he was named National League Player of the Week. After a brief slump that May, Allen came back and pitched three shutout innings, for his sixth save.

"He had better than average Neil Allen stuff," Mets catcher John Stearns told The AP after that game, "which is better than average big league stuff."

Allen saved 18 games for the Mets in 1981, then 19 more in 1982. By 1983, Allen took his first attempt at starting. After starting four games with the Mets, Allen went to the Cardinals in the Keith Hernandez trade. He then started 18 games for the Cardinals, going 10-6.

By 1984, he was relieving again. And, after Bruce Sutter's departure for 1985, the Cardinals looked to him to close again, Sports Illustrated wrote. And it didn't go well. He only saved two games and, by July, was a Yankee.

After playing out that season in The Bronx, Allen moved to the White Sox for his chance at starting again. He went 7-2 overall in 1986, with a 3.82 ERA. In 1987, though, he started 0-7 and was back with the Yankees by September.


In late may 1988, Allen put his starting skills to use in a spot start, forced in due to injury, The AP wrote. Allen went the full nine innings, shutting out the Athletics on three hits.

"They told me I was going to be the long relief man," Allen told The AP after that game. "They didn't tell me I'd have to start the game, too."

Allen finished out his major league career in 1989 with three final games with the Indians. His playing career ended the next year at AAA Nashville, with the Reds.

By 1998, Allen was a coach in the minors, with the Blue Jays at St. Catharines. By 2000, he was in the Yankees system as a coach at single-A Greensboro. In 2005, he moved all the way up to The Bronx, for a season as Yankees' bullpen coach.

Allen has since moved to the Rays system and is now in his second year as pitching coach at AAA Durham.

• Waycross Journal-Herald, Associated Press, May 17, 1980: Mets Stop Braves
• Miami News, Associated Press, July 14, 1986: Grass is greener, and it's taller
• Youngstown Vindicator, Associated Press, June 1, 1988: Neil Allen is brilliant in relief for Yankees

More: The 1990 Nashville Sounds

1990 CMC Tally
Cards Featured: 772/880 - 87.7%
Players/Coaches Featured: 783
Made the Majors: 533 - 68%-X
Never Made the Majors:250-32%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 238-X
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 145 

Dave Hansen, Locked In - 419

Dave Hansen tried to explain pinch hitting in 2012 as not exactly an art form, but a mindset, according to The Riverside Press-Enterprise.

"If you're going to have any success," Hansen told The Press-Enterprise, "you have to get a quality at-bat each time. You have to get locked in in one at-bat, not over four at-bats."

Hansen could talk. He still held the record for Dodgers pinch hits, The Press-Enterprise wrote. The other reason he could talk: Hansen is the Dodgers' hitting coach for 2012.

Hansen became a coach after a playing career that spanned two decades, and included time in 15 major league seasons and one in Japan.

Hansen's career began in 1986, taken by the Dodgers in the second round of the draft, out of Rowland High School in California.

He spent his first year at rookie Great Falls, then made AA San Antonio in 1989, then AAA Albuquerque in 1990. In September 1990, he debuted with the Dodgers in Los Angeles, getting into five games.

Hansen got his first extended time in the majors in 1991, with 53 games and 56 at bats. He hit .268, with one home run. That home run came in a hot July game, on a pinch hit.

"I didn't think I hit it high enough to be a home run," Hansen told The Associated Press. "I really didn't think about it being my first homer until I got back to the dugout. It was like a sauna out there."

Hansen returned in 1992 for another 132 games. He also had a home, at third base. But Hansen hit just .214. By 1993, he was back to pinch hitting.

He played third just 18 times in 1993, but got into 84 total games. By the end of September, he had the Dodger record for pinch hits in a season, breaking a record set the previous year.

"I grew up in California. The Dodgers were my team," Hansen told The AP. "To be in the record books of an organization that has such a long history, I'll treasure that for a long time, whether it's broken soon or not."

Hansen played with the Dodgers 11 of his 15 big league seasons. His first stint with the team lasted through 1996, when he moved to the Cubs for 1997. After a year in Japan with Hanshin, Hansen returned to the Dodgers for 1999. Hansen split his final three seasons between the Padres and the Mariners.

With the Dodgers, Hansen still owns the team record for most pinch hits in a season, 18, and career, 110, according to his Dodger profile. He rejoined the Dodgers in 2011, as hitting coach, after time as minor league hitting coordinator with the Diamondbacks.

• Hudson Valley Morning News, Associated Press, July 21, 1991: Dodgers won't melt in the heat
• Portsmouth Daily Times, Associated Press, Sept. 21, 1993: Ready for the worst 
• Riverside Press-Enterprise, April 2, 2012: Kennedy opts for Dodger blue

1990 CMC Tally
Cards Featured: 771/880 - 87.6%
Players/Coaches Featured: 782
Made the Majors: 532 - 68%-X
Never Made the Majors:250-32%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 237-X
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 145

Eric Stone, Locked Down - 388

The Tigers started slowly in spring 1990. But, in late March, they finally picked up a win. Locking it down with two innings of work, picking up the save, was reliever Eric Stone.

"I'll be truthful. I didn't want to lose that game," Tigers manager Sparky Anderson told The Associated Press afterward. "We haven't been too familiar with the 'W' column lately."

While Stone helped his manager and the Tigers in that spring game, Stone never was able to help the Tigers or any other team in the majors. Stone played in seven seasons as a professional, but he never made the majors.

Stone's career began in 1988, taken by the Tigers in the sixth round of the draft, out of the University of Texas. At one point that year with Texas, Stone was 15-1. He also claimed the school record for strikeouts in one game, 19.

With the Tigers, Stone started at single-A Fayetteville. He went 0-5 in seven starts. Returning to single-A Lakeland in 1989, Stone went 5-9 in 25 starts. He also had an ERA of 3.56.

For 1990, Stone made the jump to AAA Toledo, getting into 36 games, but starting just seven. He picked up four saves and an ERA of 3.95. One of his relief outings came in June, with two scoreless innings in a Toledo win.

Stone moved back to AA London to start 1991. He got six starts there, then moved to the Indians system, moving backwards still, to single-A Columbus. Between them, he got just 15 starts.

Stone spent 1992 at high-A Kinston. He got 25 relief appearances, with a 4.05 ERA. His affiliated career then ended in 1993 with 13 relief outings at AA Canton-Akron.

Stone's career then finally ended in 1995, in the independent Texas-Louisiana League. He started 20 games there, for both Abilene and Corpus Christi, ending his career short of the majors.

• Ludington Daily News, Associated Press, March 28, 1990: Tigers notch 1st spring win

1990 CMC Tally
Cards Featured: 770/880 - 87.5%
Players/Coaches Featured: 781
Made the Majors: 531 - 68%
Never Made the Majors:250-32%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 236
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 145