Jose Peguero returned to baseball, then played decade total, missed bigs

Jose Peguero took time off from baseball after 1990, but he could still play, and he could still run.

After three seasons off, Peguero returned to the game in 1994. In 1996, he set a Northern League record with 11 triples on the season. He also stole 21.

By the time Peguero's career was over, he could count time in a total of 10 professional seasons. Peguero, though, never saw time in the majors.

Peguero's professional career began in 1985, signed by the Athletics as an undrafted free agent, out of his native Dominican Republic. Peguero is also known by his middle name, Jeremias Peguero.

With the Athletics, Peguero started at short-season Medford, largely playing shortstop. He hit .283 on the year, stealing seven bases.

Peguero played 1986 and 1987 at single-A Modesto. He hit .271 his first year there, his average dropping to .227 his second. His stolen bases, though, increased his second year in Modesto, from 10 to 31. He also had six triples.

Peguero moved up to AA Huntsville for 1988. He hit just .219 over 108 games. His 1989 ended up being brief, just seven games played with the Brewers at single-A Beloit.

Peguero then turned to the independent Salinas Spurs of the California League, but his average didn't improve. He hit just .175 over 45 games, ending the first part of his career.

Seemingly out of baseball, Peguero then moved to New Jersey and got a job at a post office, according to The Los Angeles Times. He didn't return to the game until 1994, playing well enough at a tryout for the independent San Bernardino Spirit that he won a spot on the roster.

With the Spirit in 1994, the 29-year-old Peguero got into 129 games. He hit .289, with 25 home runs and 11 stolen bases.

He returned for spring 1995 and replacement ball, playing with the Angels. He then got his first and only look at AAA, with 17 games in Vancouver. He played the rest of the year at independent Palm Springs of the Western League.

Peguero then got those 11 triples in 1996, playing for Sioux City of the Northern League. In 84 games for the Explorers, he hit .366. Peguero's career finally ended after the next season, with 43 games between independent Madison and Thunder Bay.

• Los Angeles Times, March 8, 1995: Right-Hander Leftwich Will Be Sidelined Two to Three Months
• OurSportsCentral, Aug. 17, 2004: Northern League news and notes

More: The 1990 Salinas Spurs

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,379
Made the Majors: 729 - 52.9%
Never Made Majors: 650-47.0%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 319
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 186-X