Interview Part 1: Steve Culkar, Focused On

Rochester's Frontier Field in 2009, home of the Rochester Red Wings. Steve Culkar played at Rochester's old Silver Stadium with the Red Wings in 1989. (G21D Photo)

Part 1: Focused On | Part 2: Best Part

Steve Culkar's Mount Prospect Post 525 American Legion team was playing for the regional championship and the college scouts were watching.

Culkar, though, wasn't watching them. He and his teammates focused on the game.

"No one, no one thought about the scouts, or anything like that," Culkar recalled to The Greatest 21 Days recently. "We were focused on winning."

Post 525 didn't end up wining the regional championship, but they did win the state of Illinois. And Culkar also caught the eye of a college scout, one for the University of Kentucky.

Shortly after, the Chicago-area native Culkar was a Wildcat.

"I loved it," Culkar said of his time at Kentucky, "It was the best experience of my life, fantastic."

Four years after that, degree in-hand, he was a pro.

Culkar spoke with The Greatest 21 Days recently about that career, his time playing the game growing up, playing under a "coach to men" at Kentucky and a professional career that took him to AAA and then ended with an injury and some hard feelings.

Culkar has since gone on to use that degree he earned at Kentucky, a degree he focused on getting, to a post-playing career in sports communications and marketing.

Oneonta's Damaschke Field in 2009. Steve Culkar played briefly with Oneonta NY-Penn League foe Newark in 1987. (G21D Photo)

Culkar grew up in the Chicago suburbs. He doesn't remember exactly when he first picked up a baseball.

"I just know that I was always outside with a baseball, with a bat, knocking on somebody's door, begging somebody to go play ball with me," Culkar said.

He'd beg for somebody to play catch with him, hit with him. They could even hit, he'd just field.

Culkar played catcher in little league. He thought he could hit. By the time college came around, though, he left that behind, sticking to pitching.

He did well enough in high school, playing on that American Legion team, well enough to go to Kentucky.

Through that whole time frame, the pros weren't really on his mind, he recalled.

"I never dreamt that I would make a living at it," Culkar said. "I just wanted to go out and play because I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the challenge of it. I enjoyed playing it. I enjoyed being outside."

If the pros came, that would take care of itself.

First, though, was college, and Kentucky.

Part of the reason he liked Kentucky, Culkar recalled, was just that it was warmer. In Kentucky, baseball could be played nearly year round. In Chicago, that wasn't the case.

But Kentucky also provided a high level of play, playing against outher Southeastern Conference teams. There as LSU, Georgia, Florida. "There were some very, very good baseball players that you faced day in and day out," Culkar recalled.

It was also at Kentucky that Culker met the man whom he counts as one of the biggest influences on his life, then-Kentucky head coach Keith Madison.

It was Madison, Culkar recalled, who was a coach to men first, and a coach to baseball players second.

Video of Steve Culkar on the mound with Kentucky. (Steve Culkar)

Madison, Culkar recalled, wasn't there just for baseball. He was there to help his players grow as people.

"He wanted you to be a better person and a better ball player," Culkar said, "in that order."

On the field, Culkar played well enough to get drafted after his junior year. The Pirates selected him in the 29th round.

For Culkar, though, there was no consideration of going pro. In fact, he had made his position known.

"They tried to entice me with more money," Culkar recalled. "But I wanted to come back to get my education."

"Getting to the big leagues isn't a guarentee," Culkar added. "But your education is. That was the most important thing to me."

He also wanted to grow as a player, to get better. That senior year, he recalled, he played even better. The result was a 14th-round selection by the Orioles.

Soon, he signed. Culkar recalled meeting with one of the scouts, signing papers then heading to a local travel agency. The scout put down a credit card and Culkar had his ticket to Miami, then-home to the Orioles' spring facilities.

Bowen Field in Bluefield, W.V. Steve Culkar played at Bowen with the rookie Bluefield Orioles briefly in 1987. (Vickie Biagini)

"Three days later, I'm down in Miami with everybody else and we started our professional careers," Culkar recalled. "It was just unbelievably exciting."

He then started his pro career.

Culkar played his first season between rookie Bluefield and short-season Newark. He got into 11 games between them, hampered by a bit of tendonitis.

The fields themselves, Culkar recalled, were awful. But he also realized that was how everybody else had started, on those same fields.

"That's the process you go through," Culkar recalled of his thinking. "Knowing that this is where Cal Ripken started, other people in the big leagues right now, they played on these same fields. If it was good enough for them, it's good enough for you."

Then, in his second season, Culkar made it all the way to AA.

Go to Part 2 Steve Culkar, Best Part

1990 Batavia Clippers player profiles, Phillies affiliate

Features on each member of the 1990 Batavia Clippers, short-season affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Players are as included in that year's team set.

1990 Batavia Clippers (32)

1. Carlos Arroyo played, then turned Phillies minors coach
2. Al Baur made pros after last pledged tryout, saw two seasons
3. Steve Bieser made bigs in 9th season, then distracted Cone
4. Dave Cash played 12 ML seasons, later coached in minors
5. Ismael Cruz played two pro seasons, turned Latin scout
6. Elliott Gray, Good Week
7. Rob Hartwig, Went Back
8. Eric Hill, Good Team
9. Charlie Hurst, Spot Start
10. John Ingram, Chance Encounter
11. Jeff Jackson, Had Confidence
12. Tom Jones, Record Book
13. Erik Judson, At Everything
14. Stewart Lovdal, Picked Up
15. Steve McGovern, Pitching Strength
16. Mike Montgomery, Work Horse
17. Gary Morgan, Quick Hands
18. R.A. Neitzel, Rare Feat
19. Tom Nuneviller, Positive Attitude
20. Mike Owens, Some Turns
21. Steve Parris, Tougher Things
22. Porfirio Pena, Phillies Signee
23. Eulogio Perez, Scored Easily
24. Ryan Ridenour, Hardest Thing
25. Dave Ross, Crackling Slider
26. Sean Ryan, Good Eye
27. Jim Savage, Tie Breaker
28. Tony Scott, Switch Hitter
29. Willie Smith, This Headache
30. Gil Valencia, His Shot
31. Rich Walker, No Fuss
32. Mike Williams, Got Relaxed

Orsino Hill worked to play every day over 12 years, made AAA

Orsino Hill returned to AA in 1989 and he was glad to be back. That's because his playing time up at AAA Iowa had been inconsistent.

Consistent playing time, though, was what he needed, Hill told The Rock Hill Herald that July.

"It feels good to be back in Charlotte because I will get a chance to be an everyday player again," Hill told The Herald after helping Charlotte to a win. "I need to play every day to get my stroke and my rhythm right."

While Hill got his chance to get his stroke and rhythm right at Charlotte that year, Hill never got the chance to do so in the majors. In a career that spanned 12 seasons, Hill made it to AAA in eight of them, but never made it to the bigs.

Hill's career began in 1982, taken by the Reds in the first round of the January draft out of Los Angeles City College.

Hill played his first year at short-season Eugene, hitting .250 with seven home runs. His first home run gave Eugene its first win in June.

Hill moved to single-A Cedar Rapids in 1983, the single-A Tampa in 1984. He made AA for the first time in 1985 at Vermont. That May, a Hill home run led to an extra-inning win over Pittsfield.

Hill stayed with the Reds through 1987. He moved to the Expos to start 1988. Before that, though, Hill spent part of his off-season in Los Angeles, playing in a conditioning program with major leaguers, a program held on a bad field in the South-Central neighborhood, The Los Angeles Times wrote.

"The outfield's full of divots, and shadows make it hard to see," Hill told The Times of the conditions. "If you play well here, you can play well anywhere."

Hill played that year at AA Jacksonville and AAA Indianapolis with the Expos. He then moved mid-year to the Pirates, playing at AA Harrisburg.

Hill moved to the Cubs system for 1989, then to the White Sox system for 1990. He continued playing in the minors through 1993, playing for the Oakland and Angels systems.

In spring 1992 with Oakland, Hill hit a game-winning home run. But he spent the year at AAA Tacoma. In his last year, he played 59 games back at single-A Cedar Rapids with the Angels and just nine games back at AAA, at Vancouver.

Hill has since gone on to be a coach and a scout. He served as a coach at single-A Burlington in the Midwest League in 2000. He has since served as a scout with the Dodgers.

Among the players Hill has signed has been left-hander 2011 first-round pick Chris Reed. Reed has hit AA Chattanooga in 2012. Speaking to MLB.com after Reed's signing, Hill said he uses his experience as a hitter to evaluate pitching talent.

"I put all that aside, and I give it the eye test," Hill told MLB.com, referring to the normal metrics of evaluating pitchers like Reed. "And I always say, 'Would this guy give me trouble?' I'm not saying he would get me out, but I know for sure I wouldn't want to face him."

Originally published June 15, 2012

• Los Angeles Times, Feb. 3, 1988: They Bring the Big Leagues Back Home
• Rock Hill Herald, July 3, 1989: Knights provide early fireworks 
• MLB.com, Aug. 13, 2011: Dodgers sign top pick Reed

More: The 1990 Vancouver Canadians

Al Baur made pros after last pledged tryout, saw two seasons

Going into summer 1989, a 21-year-old Al Baur drove from his home in Philadelphia to a Phillies tryout in Delaware, The Philadelphia Daily News wrote.

"I told my father this was it," Baur told The Daily News just over a year later. "If I didn't make it, I was hanging it up. I knew my age was against me. Most clubs are looking for kids in their teens."

Baur did make it, getting signed and sent to rookie ball. He spoke to The Daily News in July 1990, having made it to single-A Spartanburg, up from short-season Batavia.

Baur, though, would never made it back home to Philadelphia, at least to play. That second season as a pro was also his last.

Baur's professional career began in 1989, sent by the Phillies to rookie Martinsville. Before that, Baur pitched for his high school team. He also got praise from his coach, according to The Daily News, the coach comparing Baur to another player, one who made the majors.

"From the little I've seen of Baur so far, I'd say he's as good as George Riley," coach John Pendino told The Daily News in 1986. Riley was a Southern grad who then played for the Expos. "He throws strikes, he's around the knees, he has a nice motion . . . I'd like to see him become a little tougher."

Baur was then a senior in high school. A few years later, he was with the Phillies, playing at Martinsville. There, the pitcher got into 19 games in relief, posting a 4.24 ERA.

That July, the month after he made it through that tryout, Baur told The Daily News playing as a pro was just a thrill.

"This is what I always wanted to do: play professional ball," Baur told The Daily News.

For 1990, Baur moved to short-season Batavia, getting 13 relief outings there. He posted a 2.28 ERA there and moved up to single-A Spartanburg. At Spartanburg, Baur got into 12 games, giving up eight earned runs in 26 innings of work, for a 2.77 ERA. But it was Baur's final season as a pro.

Baur has gone on to have a son of his own, and watch that son also play the game. In 2013, the younger Baur, Albert Baur, was playing at Newberry College in South Carolina, and summer ball in the Northwoods League, according to The South Philly Review.

"I've played most of my life," Albert Baur told The Review, "because I see the game as so much fun."

• Philadelphia Daily News, April 8, 1986: Southern Sets Out To Topple 'A' Teams
• Philadelphia Daily News, July 19, 1990: Martinsville: A While New Ballgame 
• Philadelphia Daily News, July 27, 1990: Baur's Dream: Return To South Philly
• South Philly Review, May 2, 2013: Baur powers Newberry College baseball

More: The 1990 Batavia Clippers

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,198
Made the Majors: 680 - 56.8%
Never Made Majors: 518-43.2%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 293
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 174

Mike Montgomery, Work Horse - 3064

East Tennessee State starter Mike Montgomery was a work horse for his team in the late-1980s.

From 1987 to 1990, Montgomery started 38 games for the team. It's a total that remains tied for fifth all-time at East Tennessee State, according to the school's media guide.

In 1990, he was also effective. giving up 8.92 hits per nine innings of work, according to the media guide. That mark is also still fifth best in school history.

From that start, Montgomery turned pro. But the hurler couldn't stick. His professional career lasted just a single season, 21 outings.

Montgomery signed with the Phillies in June 1990, taken by the team in the 37th round, out of East Tennessee State. He went to East Tennessee out of Carroll County High School in Hillsville, Va.

At East Tennessee State, during that 1990 season, Montgomery was credited with holding an early lead at Virginia Tech, picking up the win.

With the Phillies, Montgomery went to short-season Batavia. There, Montgomery turned reliever. He got into 21 games, starting just three.

n 45.1 innings of work, Montgomery gave up 28 earned runs, for an ERA of 5.56. It was Montgomery's only season as a pro.

• East Tennessee State University, 2011: Media Guide

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,197
Made the Majors: 680 - 56.8%
Never Made Majors: 517-43.2%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 293
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 174

Bob Skinner, Much Pride - 219

Originally published March 24, 2012
Previous Phillies manager Gene Mauch was fired for benching a star player. Now, just one year later, that same player, Richie Allen, had the latest Phillies manager on the way out, The Associated Press wrote.

The latest manager, Bob Skinner, resigned that August, feeling team executives were undermining him when it came to Allen, The AP wrote.

"But I have too much pride," Skinner told The AP. "I'm a winner, and I want to be with a winner, and you can't win this way."

Skinner was in just his third season as a manager and third season after retiring as a player, having played in 12 seasons in the majors.

His post-playing career as a manager and coach, though, would continue for another two decades. He would even later serve as a scout.

Skinner's managerial career began in 1967, with the Phillies' AAA team in San Diego. He returned for 1968, moving up to the top job in Philadelphia mid-year. Skinner went 48-59 his first partial season with the Phillies and 44-64 his second.

By 1970, Skinner was back in San Diego, this time serving as hitting coach for the major league Padres. He stayed there through 1973.

By 1974, Skinner was back with the team that first signed him, the Pirates. It was also the one on which Skinner helped to a World Series win in 1960.

Skinner returned to the Padres by 1977, then is credit as serving as hitting coach for the Angels in 1978. In 1979, Skinner served as hitting coach on the team as it returned to the World Series.

Coming off a Game 5 win in the 1979 World Series, Skinner worked with his players, making sure they were ready for Game 6. Skinner, though, noted to UPI he didn't have to do much.

"These guys know what they have to do," Skinner told UPI. "They knew what they had to do yesterday."

Pirates hitters came through with four runs apiece in games 6 and 7, taking the series.

Skinner was still with the Pirates in 1985. In April, Skinner was talking clutch hitting to The Pittsburgh Press. Skinner dismissed any talk that there weren't real clutch hitters.

"You're darn right there are clutch hitters, guys who have a way of getting the hit or driving in runs when a team needs them most," Skinner told The Press.

By 1986, he was hitting coach for the Braves. By 1989, Skinner was back in the minors, managing at AAA Tucson. He stayed at Tucson for four seasons.

In 1991, Skinner's Toros won the Pacific Coast League championship. Years later, Skinner recalled that team, the occasion being Tucson losing its AAA team.

"It was a great year, there were a lot of things going on," Skinner told The Tucson Citizen in August 2008. "It was a fun year. . . . It's sad to see them go. There were a lot of good fans. It's a shame and I feel bad."

The Citizen wrote that Skinner that year was still in baseball at the age of 76, serving as a scout for the Astros. Skinner's son Joel Skinner has followed his father into a long baseball career. He most recently served as a bench coach for the Athletics in 2011.
For a feature on Skinner's playing career, go to Bob Skinner, Play Whenever

• Waycross Journal-Herald, Associated Press, Aug. 8, 1969: Bob Skinner Quits As Phils Manager
• Meriden Morning Record and Journal, UPI, Oct. 16, 1979: Tanner absent
• Pittsburgh Press, April 13, 1985: Frobel gets hits in clutch
• Tucson Citizen, Aug. 30, 2008: End of an era: 'Winders wind down

Porfirio Pena, Phillies Signee - 3068

The Philadelphia Inquirer described that March 1990 scene: Seven Phillies signees, all from the Dominican Republic, listened to their Spanish-speaking coach Rolando Dearmas.

Among the seven was catcher Porfirio Pena, according to The Inquirer.

"The kids that seem to advance through the minors the fastest are the kids that pick up English the fastest," Dearmas told The Inquirer of the players, generally. "The smarter players are the ones who get ahead."

Pena was an 18-year-old kid from Bani, D.R. Regardless of his smarts, or ability to pick up English, Pena was only able to play professionally for two seasons.

Pena's career began that season, signed by the Phillies out of his native Dominican Republic.

With the Phillies that season, Pena played 29 games between rookie Martinsville and short-season Batavia. At Martinsville, Pena hit .161 over 14 games. At Batavia, he didn't hit much better, just .170, over 15 games.

For 1991, Pena returned to both Martinsville and Batavia. He got nine games at Martinsville, hitting .152. At Batavia ,he got into 23 games, hitting .194.

That 1991 season was Pena's last as a pro. In 61 total games, Pena's career batting average ended up just .173.

• Philadelphia Inquirer, March 25, 1990: Hungry Players

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,196
Made the Majors: 680 - 56.9%
Never Made Majors: 516-43.1%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 293
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 174

Sean Ryan, Good Eye - 3076

Starting his second season as a pro in 1991, Sean Ryan made the jump from short-season Batavia to AA Reading, The Reading Eagle wrote that May.

The difference was visible in his surroundings, and his batting average. In 14 games, The Eagle wrote, Ryan was hitting just .234.

"The thing that helps," Ryan's manager Don McCormack told The Eagle, "is Sean's ability to take bad pitches and to swing at good pitches. He has a very good eye for someone as inexperienced as he is."

Ryan went on to hit .246 that season and .268 the next, also at Reading. He ultimately made AAA Scranton in his fourth pro season, but that was as high as Ryan got. He never took his good eye to the majors.

Ryan's professional career began in 1990, taken by the Phillies in the 38th round of the draft, out of Rutgers.

Ryan started with the Phillies at Batavia. There, he hit .273, with 16 home runs and knocked in 15.

He then made that jump to Reading for 1991, his home run total dropping off to just eight on the season. He did knock in 70 runs, three in one April game against London.

Ryan also hit one of those 1991 home runs in a June game, a two-run shot to win the contest.

"It was a low, inside fastball," Ryan told The Eagle of that home run. "I knew it was hit on a line-drive, so I just started running hard as soon as I hit it."

Ryan return to Reading for 1992, hitting .268 and seven home runs. For 1993, he made AAA Scranton. There, though, he hit just .221 and got into just 66 games, ending his career in the Phillies organization.

Ryan, though, continued playing for two more seasons, at independent Thunder Bay in 1994 and at independent Nashua in 1995, ending his career.

Ryan has since settled in the Charlotte area, watching his son Ryder Ryan take up the game his father once played, according to The Charlotte Observer. Ryder Ryan was a freshman at North Mecklenburg High in April 2011 and contributing to his school's squad.

"My dad has been a huge part of my game ever since I played T-ball," Ryder Ryan, then 15, told The Observer in April 2011. "I've learned almost everything I know from him. I continue to learn new things as I keep playing the game."

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/04/27/2242603/only-a-freshman-viking-makes-an.html#storylink=cpy

• Reading Eagle, May 2, 1991: Sean Ryan adjusting to big leap
• Reading Eagle, June 19, 1991: Ryan's homer sparks R-Phils
• Charlotte Observer, April 27, 2011: Only a freshman, Viking makes an impact on I-Meck

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,195
Made the Majors: 680 - 56.9%
Never Made Majors: 515-43.1%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 293
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 174

Ryan Bowen earned reputation as hard-luck majors pitcher

Originally published Jan. 5, 2012

Ryan Bowan's major league debut in 1991 appeared to start off well, holding the Cardinals hitless for five innings.

But he also gave up two runs, on a balk and a sacrifice fly. He then went on to lose the no-hitter in the sixth, Bowen ultimately giving up six runs, The Associated Press wrote.

"That's the way they do it in the majors," Bowen told The AP. "That's why they make millions of dollars."

Bowen went on to pitch in five major league seasons, earning a reputation as a hard-luck pitcher. That reputation was no more so apparent than as Bowen pitched as a member of the inaugural starting rotation of the Florida Marlins.

Bowen's career began in 1986, taken by the Astros in the first round of the draft out of Hanford High School in Hanford, Ca.

Bowen started at single-A Asheville, going 12-5, with a 4.04 ERA. Bowen made AA Columbus in 1989, then AAA Tucson in 1990. He made major league Houston that July in 1991.

With the Astros in 1991, Bowen started 13 games, going 6-4, with a 5.15 ERA. In September, Bowen threw seven innings of shutout ball, before being lifted after a double in the eighth. He went on to get a no decision in the Astros loss.

Bowen returned to the Astros for 1992, starting nine games. But he also went without a win, going 0-7, with a 10.96 ERA. The performance was enough for the Astros to leave him unprotected in that November's expansion draft and enough for the Marlins to select him.

With the Marlins, Bowen earned a spot in the first Marlins rotation. He went 8-12 on the season, with a 4.42 ERA. In May, Bowen threw the team's first complete-game shutout, taking down the Cardinals. It ended up being the only complete-game shutout of his career.

"It feels good to finish something you started," Bowen told The South Florida Sun-Sentinel afterward. "I'm not talking about a complete game. It's the opportunity to go and get asked to finish what you started, to have them say 'Bo, go out and get the last out,' after the way the team fought hard all night."

Days earlier, Bowen had gone eight innings, giving up just one first-inning run. He also took the loss, 1-0.

At one point that year, though, he picked up only one win in 10-straight starts. That stretch was something he told The Sun-Sentinel in July he wasn't too concerned about.

"If you harp on wins and losses you'll drive yourself crazy," Bowen told The Sun-Sentinel after finally getting another win in July. "I'd rather harp on pitching well."

Bowen, though, returned for just eight starts in 1994, going 1-5. In seven of those starts, into early May, Bowen failed to get a win. His only win came in August.

Going into 1995, Bowen tried to overcome an injury suffered playing basketball in the off-season. The injury required reconstructive knee surgery. Bowen didn't return to the majors until September, getting four final outings and picking up two wins to no losses.

Bowen played two more seasons in the minors, and a third in independent ball, ending his career without returning to the majors.

• Bonham Daily Favorite, Associated Press, July 23, 1991: St. Louis birds bury Astros
• South Florida Sun-Sentinel, May 16, 1993: Bowen's Work Is, At Last, Complete
• South Florida Sun-Sentinel, July 20, 1993: Marlins Top Rockies 3-1

More: The 1990 Tucson Toros

Jeff Jackson, Had Confidence - 3080

After being taken by the Phillies fourth overall in June 1989, The Philadelphia Daily News wrote, Jeff Jackson had all the confidence in the world.

By late July, though, things weren't working out as Jackson had hoped, according to The Philadelphia Daily News. At rookie Martinsville, the top pick Jackson was hitting just .180.

"Just keep working, things will turn around," Jackson told The Daily News, confident he could do just that. "I figure I've hit rock bottom; I've got nowhere to go but up. That's what I keep telling myself."

For Jackson, though, he was never able to turn it around. He eventually played nine seasons as a pro, none above AA.

Jackson's pro career began that year in 1989, taken by the Phillies as a 17-year-old, out of Simeon High School in Chicago.

In selecting Jackson fourth overall, the Phillies showed their confidence in him. After his selection, Jackson expressed his confidence to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

"It may sound cocky," Jackson told The Inquirer, "but I don't really feel pressure. When I play baseball, I just go out and play hard, play my game, have fun. I'm confident in my ability to compete, so the other stuff really shouldn't matter."

Sent to rookie Martinsville, Jackson eventually hit .227 over 48 games. For 1990, he played at short-season Batavia. The results, though, were the same. He hit just .198 over 63 games.

By the start of 1993, Jackson had played in four minor league seasons, none with a season average above .227. In 36 games at AA Reading in 1992, he hit just .185.

"I can't blame anyone but myself for my troubles," Jackson told The Inquirer in February 1993. "I had been a high school superstar, and I went from there to really struggling my first year of pro ball. That took a lot out of me. I couldn't cope."

Jackson played that season back at Reading, then part of the next. Then he was done with the Phillies. He ended up playing three more seasons, mostly in independent ball, ending his career.

• Philadelphia Inquirer, June 7, 1989: Draft Pick's Talent Isn't The Question
• Philadelphia Daily News, July 26, 1990: Jackson Hasn't Been A Hit
• Philadelphia Inquirer, Feb. 25, 1993: For Jackson, Time To Prove He Belongs In The Big Leagues

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,194
Made the Majors: 680 - 57.0%
Never Made Majors: 514-43.0%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 293
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 174

Ismael Cruz played two pro seasons, turned Latin scout

The Mets signed 16-year-old Venezuelan Wilmer Flores in 2007 and talking up the signing to MLB.com was Ismael Cruz.

"Flores is the biggest international signing this year, and we are very excited at the opportunity to have him in our organization," Cruz told MLB.com. "Many teams were bidding higher for him, and he chose to come to the Mets ahead of the others for the opportunity to play in our organization."

Cruz touted Flores as the team's director of international operations, part of a long career in various scouting positions, searching for talent around Latin America and elsewhere.

Cruz' scouting career came after a playing career, though one not nearly as successful as Flores'. Flores started 2013 as a 21-year-old knocking on the door of the majors. Cruz' playing career lasted just two seasons, never getting above low-A.

Cruz' career in baseball began in 1989, taken by the Phillies in the 21st round, out of Eckerd College in Florida.

With the Phillies, Cruz started at rookie Martinsville. He hit .271 over 43 games, knocking in 16.

For 1990, Cruz moved to short-season Batavia, hitting .252 there over 45 games, with 12 RBI. But that second season was also the last for the 20-year-old.

Soon after, Cruz started his new career, as a scout. He scouted for the Pirates and Reds and also served as an agent, according to SportsNet.ca. From 2002 to 2005, Cruz served as director of Latin American operations for the Expos/Nationals.

Cruz then moved to to the Mets. In late-2011, Cruz moved to the Blue Jays as Toronto's director of Latin American operations.

In December 2011, Cruz spoke to reporters about the impending bidding war for Cuban sensation Yoennis Cespedes.

"He might be the best to come out of Cuba," Cruz told reporters. "The question for everyone is how much you want to pay for that, and that is up to each team to decide.

• MLB.com, Aug. 8, 2007: Notes: Beltran's return to present issue
• SportsNet.ca, Dec. 1, 2011: Jays lose director of Latin operations to ChiSox
• Seattle Times, wire services, Dec. 28, 2011: Cuban player has allure

More: The 1990 Batavia Clippers

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,193
Made the Majors: 680 - 57.0%
Never Made Majors: 513-43.0%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 293
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 174

Gary Cooper, To Win - 213

Originally published Aug. 6, 2012

Inducted into the Brigham Young University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003, Gary Cooper told the school paper he took it as an opportunity to look back on his career.

"As an athlete, you go out to win the game," Cooper told The Universe of BYU. "This has been a great way for me to reflect on my playing days. It's a great honor for me and my family."

Cooper's career at BYU spanned from 1983 to 1986 and included a five stolen base game, The Universe wrote. His professional career that followed spanned a decade and included one brief stint in the majors.

Cooper's professional career began in 1986, taken by the Astros in the seventh round out of BYU.

Cooper started with the Astros at short-season Auburn, hitting .313 in 76 games. He moved to single-A Osceola for 1987, hitting .279 over 123 games.

Cooper first made AA in 1988 at Columbus, hitting .270. In July, Cooper picked up three hits in a game, including a three-run home run in a Columbus win.

Cooper hit AAA Tucson for 1989. He spent the year there, with a .271 average, but didn't make Houston.

Houston had to wait for two more seasons. In 1990, Cooper is only recorded as playing in 62 games, between AA Columbus and single-A Osceola. He also appears to have spent brief time at Tucson again, but did not play a game.

Cooper returned to Tucson full time for 1991, making the AAA All-Star Game. Cooper also became the National League team's MVP after hitting the game-winning, two-run double.

"I didn't really get extended, but I hit it to the short part of the park," Cooper told The Associated Press after the game. "That ball went to the right part."

That September, Cooper made it to Houston, debuting Sept. 15. Through the end of the season, Cooper got into nine games for the Astros, getting four hits in 16 at bats.

Cooper also picked up two RBIs, one in an Oct. 2 win over San Francisco, the other on a double in his final game of the year, Oct. 6. Cooper also got that final RBI in his final major league game.

Cooper played four more seasons, all in the minors. He also played them for four separate organizations, never making it back to the majors. He played his final season in 1995, at AA for the Tigers, ending his career.

• Harlan Daily Enterprise, Associated Press, July 11, 1991: National League wins Triple A All-Star Game
• Brigham Young University Universe, Sept. 18, 2003: BYU Hall of Fame welcomes new members

Brooklyn: Mystery of the 1988 Score Paul Kilgus

So, my wife and I went to Brooklyn to see the Brooklyn Cyclones and, as my wife points out, to see some friends of ours. I recently detailed the ballpark trip, but I left this detail for its own post.

This detail forms The Mystery of the 1988 Score Paul Kilgus.

The mystery begins the morning after the game, as my wife and I went to pack up for our return home. We stayed at the friends' place, the place of my wife's friend Sara from roller derby and her husband Jon.

Being Brooklyn, everyone parks on the street, if they have a car at all. Our friends, being from Upstate NY, still had their car and they park it on the street, as we parked ours.

So that morning, Jon goes out to move their car as parking was barred later that day, and he comes back in and casually mentions something he found on his windshield, under a wiper.

It was a baseball card. And he left it in the car.

Neither Sara, nor Jon are baseball people. I think Jon said he had had cards as a kid, but they were long gone. He saw it and just assumed I had put it there.

But I hadn't. Intrigued, I asked him to go out and retrieve it. He did and I recognized it immediately: It was a 1988 Score card, and the player on it was Paul Kilgus.

So, get this: Not only was it a baseball card, but one from 1988 and one of a player I've featured here.

Kilgus was actually one of the earlier players featured here, his post going up in June 2010. Kilgus was a member of the 1990 Syracuse Chiefs. By that point, Kilgus already had experience in three major league seasons, including the previous year with my favorite team growing up, the Cubs.

So, the question was, where did this card come from?

I have no idea.

With none of the four of us taking credit for it, that means somebody just randomly stuck a card on a windshield in Brooklyn and that card just happened to find its way to probably the only guy in the borough who would fully appreciate such a card, and the player on it.

How crazy is that?

Anyway, read more about Paul Kilgus' career, his feature from June 2000: Paul Kilgus, Throw Strikes

Ryan Ridenour, Hardest Thing - 3069

His first professional season complete, Ryan Ridenour spoke to his hometown Bend Bulletin about life in the minors and his hopes for the future.

His life in the minors, Ridenour told The Bulletin, included sitting on the bench, waiting his turn. His future seemed to depend on getting through that present.

"I think that's the hardest thing to deal with - the mental part," Ridenour told The Bulletin. "You have to keep yourself positive and it's hard to do at times."

As it turned out, Ridenour's future from that point wouldn't involve baseball. That season in the low minors with the Phillies turned out to be his only season as a pro.

Ridenour signed with the Phillies that year as a 30th round pick out of Oregon Institute of Technology. He went there out of Bend High School in Bend, Ore.

In Bend, Ridenour helped his summer league team to the 1987 a tournament title, going 3 for 3 in the semifinals and then knocking in six in the championship game.

At Bend High Schol, Ridenour helped his team to the conference playoffs that spring. To The Bulletin in April, Ridenour talked about being a catcher.

"I love it," Ridenour told The Bulletin. "You're always in the middle of the action, always in control."

From there, Ridenour went to college, then turned pro. With the Phillies in 1990, Ridenour played at short-season Batavia. He got into 32 games, hitting .235, with one home run. His first season ended up being his last season as a pro, Ridenour not getting into a game in 1991.

• Bend Bulletin, April 23, 1987: Brian & Ryan Show gets rave reviews
• Bend Bulletin, Sept. 27, 1990: Ridenour found frustration ridin' the bench in Batavia

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,192
Made the Majors: 680 - 57.1%
Never Made Majors: 512-42.9%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 293
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 174

Pete Dalena, Almost Over - 494

Originally published Sept. 10, 2010

It was the top of the ninth, the Indians were down 5-2. Cleveland needed a rally this day, July 17, 1989, and Pete Dalena, put in as a pinch-hitter, did his best to get one started.

With Jeff Reardon on the mound and one out, and on a no-ball, one-strike count, Dalena hit one to right field for a double.

The rally, however, was almost over before it began. Reardon set down the next two batters, locking down the Minnesota win.

Dalena's career was also almost over before it began. This was his sixth major league at-bat, his first major league hit. Dalena got one more at bat and his major league career was over.

Dalena was originally signed by the Yankees, drafted in the 27th round of the 1982 draft out of Fresno State. The Yankees selected him after gaining All American honors in 1981 as a designated hitter.

The infielder played that year at single-A, hitting .285 with 10 home runs. Dalena made AA Nashville in 1983 and then AAA Columbus briefly for 1984. He made AAA for good in 1985.

Dalena hit .305 with nine home runs that first year in 1985. In 1986, he hit .260 with 12 home runs. Two of those 1986 home runs came in one July game against Richmond. He also made the All-Star team that year.

Dalena stayed with the Yankees system at AAA through 1988, but he never got the call-up to the Bronx. Granted free agency, Dalena signed for 1989 with the Indians, finally getting his call to the bigs in July.

His first game came July 7, his last two weeks later.

One more year at AAA with the White Sox and the Twins systems and Dalena's playing days were done.

More recently, Dalena serves as the head baseball coach at San Joaquin Memorial in his hometown of Fresno. His team moved on in 2006 sectionals, with the help of a Dalena-called suicide squeeze, according to The Bakersfield Californian.

Dalena told The Californian he called for the squeeze after seeing the opposing pitcher. After the squeeze, Dalena's hitters woke up, winning 15-6

"I figured we were in for a barnburner when I saw the stuff he had warming up," Dalena told The Californian. "That was the best display of hitting I've seen against that type of pitcher. I'm glad we hit the way we did. That team never stopped playing."

• Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, July 22, 1986: Braves fall to Clippers, drop from league lead
• Bakersfield Californian, May 26, 2006: West falls short of section title

Stewart Lovdal, Picked Up - 3062

Called into the game in the game mid-inning in the sixth, Stewart Lovdal's job was to stop the Hamilton rally.

What he did, was go on to pitch the next 2.2 innings in this August 1990 game, without giving up a hit. He also held on long enough for Batavia to come back for the win, Lovdal picking up the "W," according to a box score on CharliesBallparks.com.

That win was one of two Lovdal picked up that year for short-season Batavia. It was also one of just four he picked up during his brief two-season pro career as that season with Batavia was his last as a pro.

Lovdal's career began in 1989, signed by the Phillies as an undrafted free agent out of his native Cincinnati.

With the Phillies, Lovdal started at rookie Martinsville, getting into 22 games in relief. In those 22 games, Lovdal notched two wins and three losses. He also posted a 5.57 ERA.

For 1990, Lovdal moved to short-season Batavia. In 19 outings there, three starts, Lovdal went 2-4, with a 3.59 ERA. His professional career would end after that, his second season.

What Lovdal has done since isn't exactly clear, however, a profile on NASAMidwest.com suggests he's gone into real estate, with a hobby of racing.

That Stewart Lovdal is listed as from Cincinnati and with other interests that include baseball, going to Reds games. His occupation is listed as a landlord. With the National Auto Sport Association, No. 40 Lovdal is listed as having driven at Putnam Park and at Watkins Glen.

• CharliesBallparks.com: Bavavia vs. Hamilton
• NASAMidwest.com: Stewart Lovdal

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,191
Made the Majors: 680 - 57.1%
Never Made Majors: 511-42.9%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 293
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 174

Brooklyn Cyclones and MCU Park

MCU Park in Brooklyn. Note the moon on the right and the unique hoops around the lights. (G21D Photo)

My wife and I got down to Brooklyn to see the Cyclones, MCU Park and Coney Island with some friends who just moved to Brooklyn.

Our friends aren't baseball people at all, so I suggested we introduce them to their new hometown team, the Cyclones. It didn't hurt that my wife and I had yet to see MCU Park.

Actually, my wife had to keep reminding me that the purpose of the trip was to see our friends, not the Cyclones. But I figure the trip had a dual purpose, and both those purposes were achieved.

And our friends seemed to enjoy themselves. Helping that along was a good game between the Cyclones and the Aberdeen Ironbirds. Down by four in the ninth, the Cyclones came back to tie. Aberdeen then came back with the game-winner in the 10th.

The Cyclones' stadium is one of those cool stadiums that is integrated into its location. The park is located on Surf Avenue, the main drag of Coney Island. And the ballpark views incorporate Coney Island.

MCU Park and the Parachute Jump. (G21D Photo)

Down the right field line is the jewel of Coney Island, the old Steeplechase Park Parachute Jump, the "Eiffel Tower of Brooklyn."

Beyond the left field wall is the amusement parks, with rides and rollercoasters visible throughout the game. Down the left field line is Surf Avenue, and the famous Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs.

We were actually hoping to stop into Nathan's before the game, but we were there on the day of the Mermaid Parade and basically everywhere was packed with long lines. Too many people for us. I did get a Nathan's at the game.

Also, way over the right field wall, visible from higher parts of the park, is the ocean.

The old Brooklyn Dodgers on the second-level facade. (G21D Photo)

The Cyclones also honor the old Brooklyn team, the Dodgers. On the second-deck facade are the names and numbers of Brooklyn greats Duke Snyder, Gil Hodges, Carl Erskine, Don Newcombe and Jackie Robinson. The 1955 Dodgers World Series championship is up there, too.

All of this was possible after intense off-season cleanup and repairs to the park after last fall's Hurricane Sandy. MiLB.com has a good rundown of what happened and what had to happen for the park to be back in playing shape for the new season.

But, the cool thing is, if I didn't know the park had been damaged, I wouldn't have suspected anything had been wrong. The place looked great.

The MCU Park scoreboard with a real roller coaster to the right. Delivering to the plate is Aberdeen pitcher Sebastian Vader. (G21D Photo)

To bring it back to the blog here, the Cyclones obviously weren't in the 1990 ProCards set, but the franchise was. The Cyclones are the former St. Catharines Blue Jays, moving to Queens in 2000 and then to Coney Island in 2001.

With the move to Brooklyn, the franchise became a Met farm team. I have yet to feature the 1990 St. Catharines team, but that set included future Met Carlos Delgado.

Also, of course, there was a player featured in the 1990 ProCards and CMC sets in attendance. That was Aberdeen manager Matt Merullo, featured with his Birmingham Barons teammates recently.

With that, here are some more pictures from our trip to MCU Park:

The parachute jump lit up. (G21D Photo)

On the seat isles. (G21D Photo)

Note the moon near the flag and the unique hoop around the MCU lights. (G21D Photo)

The moon behind the lights. (G21D Photo)

A video montage of our visit. Note the bouncing ride in the background, the SuperFan, who was cool in that he knew when to rally and when to get out of the way, the game-tying ninth-inning hit and fireworks: