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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Brian Dour, Very Proud - 2009

Brian Dour spent nine seasons heading up the revived Triopia High Trojans baseball team, winning three regional championships in that span.

So, after the local school board unexpectedly decided to take the baseball program and his other coaching job in the basketball program in different directions, Dour looked back on his time with pride, he told The Springfield State Journal-Register.

"I'm very proud of what we accomplished in a short amount of time," Dour, also an elementary teacher, told The State Journal-Register. "The first couple of years were a learning experience for the kids and for me. We were able to build the program to a high standard."

Dour coached the Triopia baseball team having played the game previously himself, both in college and the pros. His professional career, though, was a brief one, playing just four seasons and never making the majors.

Dour's professional career began in 1989, taken by the Giants in the fifth round out of Bradley University in Illinois.

With the Giants, Dour played his first season between short-season Everett and single-A Clinton. Between them, he went 3-6 in 14 outings, 12 starts. He also posted a 2.86 ERA.

For 1990, he moved to high-A San Jose, going 6-6 in 24 starts, posting a 4.03 ERA. He also recorded a complete-game shutout.

For 1991, though, Dour's season was brief. He got just four outings, three starts. In 18.1 innings, he gave up just four earned runs. He then missed all of 1992 and returned for a brief 1993, what would be his final year as a pro. In 18 relief outings, Dour saved 10 and had an ERA of 1.52, ending his career.
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 977
Made the Majors: 625 - 64.0%
Never Made Majors: 352-36.0%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 277
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 166

Jeff Morris, Seen Much - 2028

Jeff Morris was trying something different in terms of baseball 1994, in some place markedly different, he told The Tucson Citizen.

"I've seen a lot of places, pitched and coached all over the country," Morris told The Citizen, "but I never dreamed I'd be going to Australia."

Morris was on his way that year to coach in the first incarnation of the Austrialian Baseball League. He was going there with experience helping the University of Arizona win the College World Series both as a player and as a coach, as well as time as both a player and coach in the pros.

After returning from Australia, Morris would continue in the game, serving as both a scout and a coach again with Arizona.

Morris' professional career began in 1980, taken by the Astros in the 15th round of the draft, out of Arizona.

With the Wildcats as a pitcher, Morris helped the team to the College World Series twice, in 1979 and 1980. In 1980, the team won it all.

With the Astros, Morris started in the rookie Gulf Coast League, also playing at single-A Daytona Beach. Between them, Morris went 8-2 in 12 starts, with a 1.24 ERA.

After a shortened 1981 season, Morris hit AA Columbus and then AAA Tucson in 1982, going 8-5, with a 3.71 ERA. Morris, though, returned for just one game in 1983, at Tucson, shoulder and knee surgeries conspiring to end his professional playing career.

Morris then returned to Arizona to finish his studies, and serve as a volunteer assistant baseball coach, seeing the Wildcats to the 1986 College World Series championship.

For 1987, Morris returned to the pros, joining the Giants as pitching coach at short-season Everett, moving to single-A Clinton for 1988 and 1989. By 1990, he was at San Jose.

After moving to the Mets as a minor league coach, Morris signed with the Orioles. By 1998, he was a Baltimore scout, returning to Tucson to look over the Arizona staff. To The Arizona Daily Wildcat, Morris, a former left-handed pitcher himself, sized up another young lefty in Arizona pitcher in James Johnson.

"He's got a leg up because he's left-handed," Morris told The Daily Wildcat. "The game is virtually starving for left-handed pitching and he's got three pretty good (pitches) there."

Soon, Morris was back at Arizona himself, serving as pitching coach into 2003. He has since served as a scout for the Reds. In April 2003, Morris talked up young Arizona hurler Richie Gardner.

"Nothing bothers him," Morris told The Citizen. "He can pitch at Stanford or go to Bank One Ballpark and pitch against the Yankees. It wouldn't matter. He is very poised."
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 976
Made the Majors: 625 - 64.0%
Never Made Majors: 351-36.0%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 277
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 166

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Don Brock took college line drive off thigh, saw 3 seasons

Don Brock 1990 San Jose Giants card
Don Brock remembered that April 1987 game well because it was his school's first win over an SEC opponent. But he also remembered it for something else, he told UpstateSpartans.com in 2010.

"I remember the game well for another reason," Brock told the site. "I took a line drive off my thigh in the second or third inning, which later began to bother me and was part of the reason I came out after five innings. (Chris) Hawkins came in and did a great job, and the offense supplied plenty of support."

Brock spent one more year at the school, then called USC Spartanburg, before turning pro. As a pro, Brock signed with the Giants. His professional career, though, was brief, just three seasons. He never made it above high-A.

Brock's pro career began with his selection in 1988 by the Giants in the 35th round of the draft out of USC Spartanburg.

At USC Spartanburg, Brock went 7-0 to start the 1987 season, picking up nine strikeouts in his seventh win. Brock was later inducted into the school's Hall of Fame, noted to still be in the record books in multiple categories in 2008.

With the Giants, Brock started at rookie Pocatello, getting 27 outings and posting a 4.50 ERA. For 1989, he moved to single-A San Jose, getting 31 outings there, three starts. He also posted a 2.62 ERA.

For 1990, Brock returned to San Jose. His season, though, was brief, just nine outings, one start. In 17.1 innings, he gave up 12 earned runs, ending his career.

Brock has gone on to stay involved in the game. He is currently listed as an assistant coach at West Oak High in Westminster, SC.
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 975
Made the Majors: 625 - 64.1%
Never Made Majors: 350-35.9%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 277
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 166

1990 Everett Giants player profiles, San Francisco affiliate


Features
on each member of the 1990 Everett Giants, short-season affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Players are as included in that year's team set.

Interview (1)
1 - Mate Borgogno, The Rest
Mate Borgogno realized his dream of playing as a pro. His career, though, was brief.

Everett Giants (33)
Lenny Ayers 1990 Everett Giants card1 - Jim Averill kept Everett Giants fans happy as The Walker
2 - Lenny Ayres played 3 seasons, later worked with kids at Y
3 - Mate Borgogno worked to get noticed by scouts, saw 2 seasons
4 - Dan Carlson made majors over four seasons, 23 appearances
5 - Eric Christopherson played 10 pro seasons, made AAA in five
6 - Brian Dakin, Career Level
Brian Dakin's sports playing career was a brief one; his sports reporting career has been much longer.
7 - Courtney Davis, Ample Opportunity
Courtney Davis struggled in 1991 and never recovered. He never made the majors.
8 - Scott Ebert, Too Fierce
Everett Giants 1990 checklist card
Scott Ebert was sometimes too fierce. He couldn't translate that to the pros. He played four seasons, but he never made the bigs.
9 - Dave Edwards, Proper Attention
Teenage injuries helped Dave Edwards get his World Series ring.
10 - Dan Flanagan, Two Scoreless
Dan Flanagan threw 13.1 scoreless for VCU in 1990. He went on to three pro seasons. He never made majors.
11 - Frank Gould, Third Win 
Frank Gould helped Pocatello to a 1989 win. He couldn't help himself to a long pro career. He played just three seasons.
12 - Shelby Hart, Inside-the-Park
Shelby Hart hit an inside-the-parker in high school. He went on to a pro career, but a brief one.
13 - Mike Helms, Missed It
Mike Helms played basketball at Oregon, then pro baseball with the Giants. His pro baseball career lasted just two seasons.
14 - James Huslig, Throw Strikes
James Huslig threw a college no-hitter. His opportunities to do so in the pros were few. He played a single season.
15 - Adam Hyzdu, Prepared Himself
Adam Hyzdu prepared himself for anything. He eventually played in seven major league seasons.
16 - John Jackson, Gut Feeling
John Jackson played both baseball and football. He made the NFL, but not the majors.
17 - Marcus Jensen, Break Through
Marcus Jensen tried to beat the defensive player label. He played in seven major league seasons
18 - Juan Lopez played then coached, made bigs as bullpen coach
19 - Deron McCue, Six Innings
Deron McCue wanted to see what his team had in 1990. He played and coached, but never made the majors.
20 - Kevin McGehee, Much Adrenalin
Kevin McGehee had much adrenalin in his major league debut. He ended up getting just four more major league appearances.
21 - Brian McLeod, Back In
Brian McLeod was effective in a June 1990 game at Everett, but wasn't effective enough in his career to make the majors.
22 - Mike Myers, Left-Handed Specialist
A smashed hand hurt Mike Myers' draft status. It didn't hurt his career.
23 - Kurt Peltzer, Talked About
Kurt Peltzer gave himself something to talk about in 1995 with a no-hitter. He never got the chance to in the bigs.
24 - Derek Reid, Outstanding Catch
Derek Reid had a good catch in college. He never got the chance for one in the bigs.
25 - Keith Ringgold, Unconventional Run
Keith Ringgold scored an unconventional run for Everett in 1990. His pro career was brief.
26 - Joe Rosselli, Definitely Nervous
Joe Rosselli was definitely nervous for his first major league start. He got nine total major league outings.
27 - Diego Segui, More Motion
Diego Segui fooled batters with his fork ball. He pitched in 15 major league seasons.
28 - Jason Sievers, Worked a Walk
Jason Sievers drew a walk, but it wasn't what his team needed. He went on to play five seasons as a pro, but he never made the bigs.
29 - Tony Spires, Triple Total
Tony Spires remains on his college conference's triple leader board. He played only two seasons as a pro.
30 - Dan Varnell, His Power
Dan Varnell helped his short-season team to 1990 a win with a home run. His career lasted just 39 games.
31 - Ricky Ward, Too Much
Ricky Ward speaks to hitters with experience. He played five seasons as a pro, but never made the bigs.
32 - Mark Yockey, Different Perspective
Mark Yockey helped Lewis-Clark State to NAIA World Series, he couldn't help himself to the majors.
33 - Jason Young, Stolen Bases
Jason Young helped his college team with stolen bases. He couldn't help himself as pro higher than high-A.

Lenny Ayres played 3 seasons, later worked with kids at Y

Lenny Ayres 1990 Everett Giants card
The Kennewick YMCA was taking registrations for that spring's baseball program in 2011, the draw being instruction from a former professional baseball player, Lenny Ayres.

"We start with the fundamentals and we work from there," Ayres said in announcing the program. "Giving the kids an avenue so if they want to go into that sport they have they can function in that sport."

Ayres had been functioning in that sport, and another, in one way or another for more than two decades. A two-sport star in high school, Ayres went on to a brief professional baseball career. More recently, Ayres has served as a youth coach in both baseball and football, and an instructor with his own business.

Ayres' professional career began in 1989, taken by the Giants in the 45th round, out of Kennewick High in Kennewick, Wash., and Lower Columbia Junior College.

At Kennewick High, Ayres also played quarterback on the football team. During the 1988 season, Ayres' coach praised the young QB, telling The Tri-City Herald a coach like him was lucky to have a quarterback like Ayres.

"It would be nice having a quarterback like Lenny Ayres every year," coach Ed Troxel told The Herald. "If a coach did, he would be in fat city."

On the baseball side, Ayres knocked in five over two July 1988 American Legion games. In 1989, he made an All-State baseball team.

With the Giants, Ayres started in 1990 at short-season Everett. In 22 relief outings, Ayres posted a 1.73 ERA, saving four. He returned to Everett in 1991, turning starter. In 16 starts, he went 8-5, with a 2.85 ERA.

Going into the 1991 campaign, Ayres was already pegged for the switch to starting.  In July, he threw a seven-inning complete-game. By the end of August, Ayres was the league-leader in victories, setting down 15-straight for his eighth win.

For 1992, though, Ayres moved to single-A Clinton. There, he got into 38 games, 10 starts. His ERA hit 5.38. It was his final year as a pro.

Ayres has since stayed in the games through youth sports. He's served as quarterbacks coach at Kennewick High, he offers baseball instruction through The Batters Box in Richland, Wash., and coaches youth baseball teams.

In 2009, he took a team of 13-year-old all-stars to the Babe Ruth World Series.

"We're hitting the ball as good, or better, than we've hit the ball," Ayres told The Herald as his team arrived at the 2009 tournament. "At this level, pitching becomes irrelevant. Nobody's throwing the ball by anybody right now.
 more here: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2009/08/23/690461/another-year-another-world-series.html#storylink

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 974
Made the Majors: 625 - 64.2%
Never Made Majors: 349-35.8%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 277
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 166

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Juan Lopez played then coached, made bigs as bullpen coach

Juan Lopez 1990 Everett Giants card
Reds hurler Bronson Arroyo was in danger of seeing a start pushed back in April 2009 due to numbness in his fingers, MLB.com wrote.

After a cortisone shot, and a game of catch with his bullpen coach Juan Lopez, though, Arroyo felt ready to pitch, MLB.com wrote, and his bullpen coach couldn't argue.

"Bronson threw really good," Lopez told MLB.com.

By that point, Lopez had nearly two decades of experience behind him, assessing and helping pitchers, both in the minors and in the majors. He also had six seasons before that as a player himself, though he never made the majors.

Lopez is continuing his run as a major league bullpen coach into 2013, continuing with the Reds.

Lopez' baseball career began back in 1983, signed by the Indians out of his native Puerto Rico.

Lopez played three seasons in the Cleveland system, never making it above single-A. He then played two seasons with the Astros, making it to AAA Tucson. His final playing time came with the Giants system in 1989, Lopez never making the bigs.

By 1990, Lopez was a coach, teaching hitting at short-season Everett. Lopez continued coaching and managing in the minors through 1996.

In 1997, Lopez made the majors for the first time, serving as the Giants' bullpen catcher. He stayed in that job for two seasons. From 1999 to 2002, Lopez moved up to Giants' bullpen coach.

He moved to the same position with the Cubs in 2003, getting to return with the team to Puerto Rico that September for a series with the Expos.

"If you're from Puerto Rico and you're in the big leagues, all Puerto Rico is happy for you," Lopez told MLB.com on the occasion of his return. "Most of my friends, when I was a player, they'd love the chance to see me play."

Lopez stayed with the Cubs for four seasons. He then spent a season with the Mets in the Gulf Coast League before moving back to the bigs as bullpen coach with the Reds in 2008.

In 2011, his son Jack Lopez signed with the Royals, the same son that The San Francisco Chronicle recorded a decade earlier doing imitations of the same Giants pitchers his father worked with. The son recalled to The Orlando Sentinel after his signing that he'd been around pro players since he was 4 or 5 years old

"Since I have been a little boy," Lopez told The Orlando Sentinel, "it has been my dream to sign a professional contract and make my way to the major leagues."
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 973
Made the Majors: 625 - 64.2%-X
Never Made Majors: 348-35.8%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 277
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 166

James Huslig, Throw Strikes - 3122

James Huslig wanted this game bad, he told The Oklahoman of Oklahoma City. What he also wanted, as he realized he was close, was a no hitter.

The University of Oklahoma right-hander got both.

"I didn't even realize I had one until the bottom of the sixth inning," Huslig told The Oklahoman after the May 1989 seven-inning affair. "I knew I couldn't let it affect me. I still had to throw strikes on the corners and not get stupid and throw it down the middle to just get out of the inning."

From his time at Oklahoma, Huslig moved on to the pros. His pro career, though, was brief, just 14 outings, 13 starts in a single season.

Huslig started that brief pro career in 1990, taken by the Giants in the 23rd round, out of Oklahoma. Huslig chose the Sooners after first being drafted by the Orioles in 1986 out of Shawnee Mission East High in Kansas.

While at Oklahoma, Huslig also played summer collegiate ball. In summer 1987, he played with the Nevada Griffons. With Nevada, Huslig went seven innings in an 11-4 win, doing well enough to catch the eye of his manager, Sam Riggleman.

"If there were any surprises," Riggleman told The Nevada Daily Mail, "I'd have to say (James) Huslig was exceptional. He's a gamer."

The next year, with Oklahoma, Huslig is credited with earning first-team All-Big 8 honors. In 1989, he won second-team honors.

With the Giants, he started at short-season Everett, getting two outings there, one start. He gave up four earned runs over eight innings, including three runs in a June outing

Moving to single-A Clinton, Huslig got 12 starts, posting an ERA of 2.55. Huslig, though, didn't return for a second season, his pro career ending with just those 14 total appearances.
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 972
Made the Majors: 624 - 64.2%
Never Made Majors: 348-35.8%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 277
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 166

Monday, January 28, 2013

Deron McCue, Six Innings - PC3145

It was the first game of the year and Everett started off slow, giving up five runs. Manager Deron McCue, though, didn't panic, The Seattle Times wrote.

For his patience, McCue was rewarded with a 9-5 Everett victory.

"It's rookie ball," McCue told The Times. "I just wanted to throw them out there and see what they've got. We just had one bad inning. I knew we had six innings still to play."

McCue was in his second year as a manager in the Giants system, after a professional playing career that lasted six seasons, but never saw the majors.

McCue's professional career began in 1983, taken by the Giants in the 12th round of the draft, out of Hutchinson Community College in Kansas.

McCue started at rookie Great Falls, hitting .216 over 55 games. He moved to single-A Clinton for 1984, then single-A Fresno in 1985. At Fresno, his average jumped to .316.

For 1986, McCue hit AA Shreveport and even got a game at AAA Phoenix. On the year, he hit .265.

McCue played two more seasons, 1987 at Shreveport and 1988 between Shreveport and Phoenix. In 28 games at Phoenix that final season, McCue hit .200.

By 1989, McCue was managing with the Giants at rookie Pocatello, taking his team to a 29-38 record. For 1990, he moved to short-season Everett, going 35-41 His team picked up one of those wins in an early-August, by a 7-2 score. Most of the runs in the victory came through small ball.

"You get eight or nine singles and scored four or five runs, that's fine," McCue told The Eugene Register-Guard afterward. "You're not going to win with the long ball every time."

McCue's stint in the minors, though, ended the next year, in 1991, serving as hitting coach at single-A Clinton.

In recent years, McCue has gotten back into the game in his hometown, serving as head coach for the collegiate league Hutchinson Monarchs.

"It is exciting," McCue told The Hutchinson News in 2012. "It's my hometown, and I played here as a Bronc in the '80s. I know how important baseball is here, and this is an opportunity for me to get back into it. I love baseball, and this is my hometown."
1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 971
Made the Majors: 624 - 64.3%
Never Made Majors: 347-35.7%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 277
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 166

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Scott Ebert, Too Fierce - 3118

Scott Ebert's high school coach called Ebert a fierce competitor, about as fierce as he'd ever coached, according to The Oklahoman of Oklahoma City.

"Sometimes," Edmond coach Wendell Simmons told The Oklahoman in April 1988, "he's too fierce. He's so intense that it gets him in trouble. When he sees 20 or 30 scouts in the stands he wants to show them he's the best so sometimes he overthrows. But he's a gamer."

Whatever Ebert did in front of those scouts, it was enough for him to become a second rounder. Ebert, though, never could do enough to fulfill that promise. He played just four seasons as a pro, never making it above high-A.

Ebert's professional career began that June, taken by the Giants, Ebert soon signing directly out of Edmond High School in Oklahoma.

Going into the draft, though, whether Ebert would sign or go to college was an open question, according to The Oklahoman. He had already committed to the University of Texas. Ebert, though, signed, his eye on the majors, and a payday, as a pro.

"I really liked Texas,," Ebert told The Oklahoman after signing, "but they don't pay the kind of money the Giants do."

With the Giants, Ebert started at rookie Pocatello, going 1-4 in 12 starts, posting a 4.75 ERA. He was wild in one July start, walking six and throwing two wild pitches.

Ebert moved to short-season Everett for 1989, going 4-9 in 14 starts, then returned there for 1990. In between, Ebert told The Oklahoman about his problems to that point, his control and injuries.

"I'm having enough problems getting my fastball over, "Ebert told The Oklahoman that April. "I've struggled some because of a sore shoulder. I really haven't been 100 percent since I signed, but I'm close this spring."

Ebert, though, couldn't break through. He got five starts at Everett, then 10 at single-A Clinton. It was his last year in the Giants organization. He came back for one more attempt in 1991, playing with the Mariners back in rookie ball, ending his career.
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 970
Made the Majors: 624 - 64.3%
Never Made Majors: 346-35.7%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 277
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 166

Ricky Ward, Too Much - 3136

Giants draft pick Matt Duffy was having troubles at short-season Salem-Keizer in July 2012, so he turned to his hitting coach, Ricky Ward.

"I haven't been hitting with runners in scoring position lately," Duffy told MiLB.com after knocking in six in one contest. "The hitting coach [Ward] said I was trying to do too much and that I was focusing on the results rather than hitting something hard."

Ward spoke to Duffy with the experience that comes as a former professional player himself, and now a longtime coach. He spent five seasons as a pro player. He's spent much of the last decade as a minors hitting coach.

Ward's playing career began after his selection by the Giants in the 10th round of the 1989 draft, out of Chemeketa Community College. He didn't sign, though, until late, not until after signaling he was instead moving on to Arizona State.

Ward, sometimes referred to as Rick Ward, played his first season as a pro in 1990, at short-season Everett. In 39 games, he hit .262, knocking in 22.

For 1991, Ward moved to single-A Clinton, hitting .278 on the year and hitting 11 home runs. Three of those home runs came in the same game, July 4, each home run representing a $5,000 donation in a nationwide effort by Coca-Cola for a Star Spangled Banner Monument in Washington.

Ward moved to high-A San Jose in 1992, then got his first extended look at AA Shreveport in 1993. He moved to the Twins system for 1994, spending time at AA Nashville, but it was his last year as a pro player, a knee injury leading to its end.

His playing career over, Ward went back to school, earning his degree from Portland State in 2000. By 2002, Ward was coaching in his hometown, at the University of Portland. He moved to Western Oregon University, before finding a home at Salem-Keizer in 2005. Ward has returned to serve as hitting coach there each year since.
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 969
Made the Majors: 624 - 64.4%
Never Made Majors: 345-35.6%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 277
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 166

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Adam Hyzdu, Prepared Himself - 3140

Adam Hyzdu missed out on the Pirates 2003 Opening Day roster, but it wasn't long before he got the call, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review wrote.

Hyzdu learned of his return to the majors as he was pulled out of a AAA contest mid-game, The Tribune-Review wrote.

"You just know different things are going to happen," Hyzdu told The Tribune-Review after his return, "and you have to prepare yourself for anything."

Hyzdu prepared himself for his first trip to the majors for a decade, finally getting his first call in 2000, his 11th season as a pro. Once he got that first call, though, he went on to a major league career that spanned seven seasons, not playing his final big league game until 2006.

Hyzdu's career began in 1990, taken by the Giants in the first round of the draft, out of Xavier University.

Hyzdu started at short-season Everett, the outfielder hitting .245 in 69 games. He also hit six home runs, his second helping Everett to a 10-6 July win.

From there, though, Hyzdu climbed slowly. He made high-A San Jose in 1992, then AA Shreveport in 1993. For 1994, Hyzdu arrived with the Reds in a trade. He also got his first brief look at AAA.

Hyzdu didn't make AAA full time until 1997, with the Red Sox at Pawtucket. He then didn't make the majors until 2000, as a September call-up to Pittsburgh.

In 12 games for the Pirates that year, Hyzdu picked up seven hits in 18 at bats, with one home run. For 2001, Hyzdu returned for another 51 games, hitting .208 with six home runs. Two of those home runs came in the same July game.

Hyzdu stayed with the Pirates through 2003, getting into 59 games in 2002 and 51 in 2003. He moved to the Red Sox for 2004, in time for the team's championship run, though he didn't play in the playoffs. He then moved to the Padres in 2005.

In one May 2005 game, Hyzdu went 1 for 4. That 1, though, was a double that cleared the bases.

"Doubles are good," Hyzdu told The San Diego Union-Tribune after that game. "With men on base, they're even better. I know that's profound stuff and cutting edge."

Hyzdu got into his final two major league games in 2006, with the Rangers. In all, over his seven seasons with time in the majors, Hyzdu got into 221 games, hitting .229.

Hyzdu played one more season in Japan, with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, ending his career.

In 2012, to The Altoona Mirror, Hyzdu pointed to his 2004 time with the Red Sox as his favorite baseball memory.

"I wasn't on the roster," Hyzdu told The Mirror, "but I was [with the team] for the playoffs. The Yankee thing was amazing, I mean, truly amazing [coming back from down 3-0 in the ALCS]. And then to go to the World Series and win it and be a part of the parade, it was just incredible."
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 968
Made the Majors: 624 - 64.5%-X
Never Made Majors: 344-35.5%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 277
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 166

Jason Sievers, Worked a Walk - 3131

The bases were loaded and the Everett Giants were down by two. Coming up was Jason Sievers.

Sievers got on base, working a walk and pushing in a run. But it wasn't enough for the Giants, the team ultimately falling to Spokane in this August 1992 contest by a score of 3-2.

Sievers was in his third professional season that year with the short-season Giants. He ended up getting two more. Sievers, though, would never make the majors, or even to AA.

Sievers' career began in 1990, taken by the Giants in the 17th round of the draft, out of Lees Summit High School in Missouri.

Out of Lees Summit, Sievers spent his first stint with short-season Everett. The catcher got into 17 games that year, hitting just .160.

For 1991, Sievers moved back to rookie ball, the Arizona League. In 29 games there, he hit .247.

Sievers returned to Everett for his second stint in 1992. The stint, though, was as brief one, playing just 19 games on the year with another sub-.200 average.

Sievers' 1993 campaign was better, but it was again in rookie ball. With independent Butte, Sievers hit .310 over 36 games.

For 1994, Sievers moved to single-A Clinton, getting into 12 games, then to high-A High Desert, getting 42 games there. Between them, though, he hit just .141. It was his final year as a pro.
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 967
Made the Majors: 623 - 64.4%
Never Made Majors: 344-35.6%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 277
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 166

Friday, January 25, 2013

Mate Borgogno worked to get noticed by scouts, saw 2 seasons

Mate Borgogno 1990 Everett Giants cardA Southern California-native, Mate Borgogno started his collegiate career far from home, in Nebraska, with the idea being Borgogno starting, The Los Angeles Times wrote.

Borgogno played a year, and did well, but he soon returned to California and Cal State Fullerton. The reasoning was simple, Borgogno told The Times in May 1990.

"Scouts don't see you play every day in the Midwest," Borgogno told The Times, "and I'm the kind of guy you need to see every day, because I'm not a big, strong, first-round type."

The scouts did get a look at Borgogno, enough for him to get selected in the next month's draft. For Borgogno, though, those looks didn't result in a long professional career. His career lasted just two seasons, never making it above single-A.

Borgogno's pro career began that year, taken by the Giants in the 18th round of the draft out of Fullerton.

Borgogno went to Nebraska and Fullerton out of Nogales High in California. As a 17-year-old there, Borgogno earned mention among the top 25 high school players in the country by Collegiate Baseball magazine, The Times wrote.

Read the December 2014 interview: Mate Borgogno, The Rest

"Mate is your typical ballplayer. His life revolves around the game," Borgogno's Nogales coach John Romano told The Times in 1987, talking up the young infielder. "And because he's so talented, he does come across as cocky, but it's not intentional. It's a little out of shyness. He's a nice person."

With the Giants, Borgogno started at short-season Everett, getting into 31 games there, hitting just .198. He also got 10 games up at single-A Clinton, getting three hits in 25 at bats.

Borgogno returned to Clinton for 1991, hitting .226 in 36 games. Those games were his last games as a pro. His pro time was also marked by misspellings of his name, spelled Matt Borgogno and Mate Borgono.

Borgogno went on to stay in baseball, becoming a coach in high school at La Habra High in California. Along the way, Borgogno's teams won four league championships. He stayed on there until 2008, leaving to spend more time with his family.

During his time as coach, it was Borgogno who was talking up his own players. One such player, Kyle Ballard, Borgogno credited with helping the team go 65-25, the team winning two of those league titles, according to The Times.

"That's just a huge turnaround," Borgogno told The Times. "I would say a large portion of it is attributable to him."

Read the December 2014 interview: Mate Borgogno, The Rest
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 966
Made the Majors: 623 - 64.5%
Never Made Majors: 343-35.5%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 277
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 166

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Mike Helms, Missed It - 3134

Mike Helms' University of Oregon team was about to do battle with rival Washington State and his coach had one last message to relate, he told The Eugene Register-Guard.

"He just told me to go out and play strong, and play with confidence," Helms told The Register-Guard.

Helms, though, wasn't going out to play a baseball game, he was going out to play a basketball game. At that point, as a sophomore, Helms hadn't seen a baseball field since high school.

And he wouldn't see one again, not until the Giants had faith enough to draft Helms in 1990. Helms' professional baseball career, though, was brief. Helms saw time in just two seasons.

Helms professional baseball career began that year in 1990, taken by the Giants in the 27th round of the draft, out of Oregon.

The guard came out of Oregon having not played organized baseball since high school in California. But the pros kept their eye on him, and Helms kept his eye on them. By May 1990, Helms told The Register-Guard he intended to change games again and become a pro baseball player.

"I've missed it a lot," Helms told The Register-Guard.

Helms had been picked by the Rangers twice already, once out of high school and once the next year. But this time, after his junior year, Helms accepted the pro offer and signed.

With the Giants, Helms started at short-season Everett. Whether it was his time away from the game or some other reason, Helms didn't hit. In nine games there, he hit just .118.

Moving to independent Bend, Helms didn't hit much better. He hit .169 over 23 contests. In late July, though, he did help Bend to a victory with a single.

Helms returned for 1991, but it was a brief return. Sent to the rookie Arizona League, Helms got into just one game. He went 1 for 3, ending his career.
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 965
Made the Majors: 623 - 64.6%
Never Made Majors: 342-35.4%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 277
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 166

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Dan Flanagan, Two Scoreless - 3120

Dan Flanagan came on in the eighth inning for Virginia Commonwealth University. If he stayed on, and held the lead, Flanagan was in line for his first save of the 1990 college campaign.

Flanagan did stay on, pitching two scoreless innings. The scoreless outing also marked his sixth-straight where he didn't give up a run, 13.1 innings in all, according to The Newport News Daily Press.

Flanagan went on to get more saves, as a pro. Flanagan, though, wouldn't get them for long, his professional career lasting just three seasons, never making it to AA.

Flanagan's professional career began that June, taken by the Giants in the 21st round of the draft out of VCU.

With VCU, Flanagan posted a 2.62 ERA over his four-year career at the school, still the school's third best career mark.

With the Giants, Flanagan began at short-season Everett, getting into four games there and picking up two saves, before moving on to single-A Clinton. At Clinton, Flanagan got into 25 contests, picking up three saves there.

For 1991, Flanagan returned to Clinton, getting into 44 games that year. He posted a 2.09 ERA on the campaign, earning three saves.

Flanagan made high-A San Jose in 1992. But it would be his final year as a pro. In 57 outings, he went 5-5, picking up 16 saves. His ERA ended at 3.04, putting his three-season ERA at 2.61. But Flanagan wouldn't return for a fourth campaign.

Flanagan has since returned to Virginia, currently listed as a director with a business consulting firm.
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 964
Made the Majors: 623 - 64.6%
Never Made Majors: 341-35.4%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 277
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 166

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Mark Yockey, Different Perspective - 3128

When Lewis-Clark State won the 1989 NAIA World Series, Mark Yockey was on the bench, in the background, The Seattle Times wrote.

When they won the 1990 championship, Yockey was right in the middle of things, starting the series' first game.

"I looked over in the dugout, and I looked where I would have been sitting the year before," Yockey told The Times, recalling the previous season. "It was a different perspective from the mound than from the dugout."

From the 1990 NAIA World Series, Yockey packed up to turn pro. Yockey, though, would never get to stand on a mound in the majors, playing five seasons, only making it to AA.

Yockey's professional career began that year, taken by the Giants in the 15th round of the draft, out of Lewis-Clark. Yockey was taken by the Giants as he earned NAIA All-American honors that year.

With the Giants, Yockey started in familiar territory, at Everett. He grew up in Woodinville, WA, just south of Everett. He told The Times later in June that he was looking forward to pitching.

"Things haven't come easy for me. I've worked on it to be a competitive pitcher," Yockey told The Times. "I've just got to approach every game trying not to make mistakes. That just means concentrating that much more."

With Everett, Yockey ended up going 5-2 in 23 outings, one start. The lefty also posted an ERA of 3.86.

For 1991, Yockey moved to single-A Clinton, getting into 36 games, starting two. He made AA Shreveport for 1992, staying there for 1993. He posted a 4.14 ERA his first year there, a 2.13 ERA his second.

Yockey moved to the Marlins system for 1994, but it turned out to be his final year as a pro. He played 18 games at AA Portland, posting an ERA of 7.71, ending his career short of the majors.
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 963
Made the Majors: 623 - 64.7%
Never Made Majors: 340-35.3%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 277
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 166

Monday, January 21, 2013

Dan Carlson made majors over four seasons, 23 appearances

Dan Carlson 1990 Everett Giants card
Dan Carlson was in the majors, but the right-hander wasn't getting much work, The San Francisco Examiner wrote.

Carlson, though, wasn't so sure just being there was the best thing for his career, he told The Examiner in 1997.

"I really would rather pitch," Carlson told The Examiner that June. "The major leagues are great. I want to pitch in the major leagues. But it doesn't do me any good if I sit on the bench, then pitch badly because I haven't done any work. It doesn't do me any good and it doesn't do the team any good."

Carlson debuted with the Giants that year June 10. He didn't get another outing for more than two weeks. Carlson ended up getting four more outings through the end of July.

Carlson was in his second season with time in the majors that year, he would get time in two more.

Carlson's career began in 1989, taken by the Giants in the 33rd round, out of Mount Hood Community College in Oregon.

Carlson started with the Giants at short-season Everett, going 2-6 in 17 outings, 11 starts. He made AA Shreveport in 1992, going 15-9 in 27 starts. In 1993, he got his first look at AAA, at Phoenix.

Carlson returned to Phoenix full time for 1994, then again in 1995 and 1996. Then, in September 1996, Carlson debuted in San Francisco. In five outings with the big club, Carlson gave up three earned runs in 10 innings of work. He also picked up a win.

In 1997, Carlson returned for those six outings in June and July. He gave up 13 earned runs in 15.1 innings of work.

For 1998, Carlson moved to the Devil Rays, taken as the 28th pick in the expansion draft. That spring, Carlson was just looking to get back to the majors, however the team wanted to use him.

"I've been a starter all my career in the minors but the little I've played in the big leagues, they used me in relief," Carlson told The Lakeland Ledger. "It doesn't matter to me what I do. I just want to make the club."

Carlson did make the team, as a reliever. He ended up getting 10 outings through mid-May, giving up 15 earned runs in 17.2 innings. He then played the rest of the year at AAA Durham.

Carlson then played in just one more major league campaign, in 1999, two outings with the Diamondbacks. Carlson continued playing in the minors, and briefly in Japan, for two more years, his last in 2001.

Carlson has since gone on to a long career as a coach in the minors. In 2002, he coached with the Pioneer League's Missoula Osprey. For 2013, Carlson is returning to AA Mobile, his third season with the club.

At Mobile for parts of 2011 and 2012, Carlson watched over Diamondbacks prospect Tyler Skaggs.

"He had a great mind for the game and for his stuff," Carlson told The Arizona Republic of Skaggs' 2011 campaign. "He would evaluate himself each game, each inning, sometimes realizing it was time to bury a fastball in or time to use his changeup. Everybody knows he has a great curveball but those other two pitches are good as well."

Skaggs debuted in Arizona in August 2012.
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 962
Made the Majors: 623 - 64.8%-X
Never Made Majors: 339-35.2%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 277
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 166

Sunday, January 20, 2013

John Jackson, Gut Feeling - 3141

In his sixth season as a professional baseball player, The Hartford Courant asked John Jackson the all-important question.

The question: What if he never made the majors?

"Then you gambled and lost," Jackson told The Courant. "It was a gut feeling I had at the time. I'm having fun. That has a lot to do with it. I play for fun, not for the money or the fame. . . . You have to want to play the game."

The "gut feeling" Jackson had was to choose baseball over football. For his first three years as a pro, Jackson played both, baseball in the minors and football in the National Football League with the Phoenix Cardinals. Since, though, he had played baseball exclusively.

Jackson's gamble never did pay off. He never made the major leagues.

Jackson's pro careers began in 1990, taken by the San Francisco Giants in the sixth round of the baseball draft out of USC. He was also signed that year by the Phoenix Cardinals, having played wide receiver in college.

With the football Trojans, Jackson won All-Pac 10 honors in 1989 and best offensive player honors for that year's Notre Dame game, according to the USC media guide. In 1988, he caught the game-winning pass in the Stanford game, sealing a 24-20 USC win.

With the Trojan baseball team, Jackson won second team Academic All-American honors in 1990. He was also All-Pac 10 in both 1989 and 1990, according to the baseball media guide.

With the Giants, Jackson started at short-season Everett. In 23 games, he hit .304. In June, he told The Seattle Times he was ready to play.

"I'm not here to be in the lap of luxury," Jackson told The Times. "I'm here to learn how to play major-league baseball."

By the end of July, though, Jackson was ready to learn how to play NFL football in Phoenix. With the move came an offer from the Giants to let him play baseball on his off days, with the Giants' AAA team, which happened to be in Phoenix, according to The Los Angeles Times. Jackson, though, declined. With the Cardinals, Jackson got into nine games, recording one fumble recovery.

For 1991, Jackson moved to single-A San Jose, but played just 14 games there. He played more games, 16, that fall with the Cardinals. He served as a kick returner and caught eight passes.

In 1992, Jackson moved to the Angels and up to AA Midland, getting into 40 games, hitting .291. With the Cardinals, Jackson got into six games, recording his only pro touchdown reception. It was his last year with the Cardinals.

Focusing on baseball in 1993, Jackson got his first full season of work. He also hit .309 between Midland and AAA Vancouver. Over the next two seasons, Jackson hit .293 and .288. But he never hit well enough to get called up to the major leagues. He played his last pro baseball game in 1995.

His baseball career over, Jackson returned to football one last time, in 1996 with the Bears. He's credited with serving on returns in five games, ending his professional career.
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 961
Made the Majors: 622 - 64.7%
Never Made Majors: 339-35.3%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 277
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 166