Dave Stevens, Every Day - 3282

Dave Stevens made it through his first three-plus seasons in the Cubs organization as a starter. But that wasn't really where he wanted to be.

What Stevens wanted to do, he told The Los Angeles Times in July 1993, was be a reliever.

"Hopefully some day they'll put me in the bullpen--that's where I want to be," Stevens told The Times. "I like the idea of playing every day, and there has been some talk of me moving there. But I don't know what they want to do."

Soon after, Stevens made it to AAA Iowa, turning reliever. The next season, Stevens was a reliever in the majors, a place he'd be each season after that through 2000.

Stevens' pro career began in 1989, taken by the Cubs in the 20th round of the draft, out of La Habra High School in California.

With the Cubs, Stevens hit the field in 1990, at rookie Huntington, moving to short-season Geneva in 1991. He hit AA Charlotte in 1992, going 9-13 over 26 starts, with a 3.91 ERA.

Stevens then hit AA Orlando and AAA Iowa in 1993 before moving to the Twins for 1994 in a trade. It was with the Twins that Stevens first made the majors, getting called up in May to Minnesota.

Stevens picked up his first big league win in relief in early June, a four-out performance against the White Sox.

"I thought it was the worst thing that could happen to me when I got traded. It turned out maybe it was the best thing," Stevens told The Chicago Tribune after that win. "I hope I can prove them wrong."

Stevens ended up getting 24 outings for the Twins that year, with a 6.80 ERA. He returned to Minnesota for 56 outings in 1995, with a 5.07 ERA.

In 1996, Stevens got 49 outings, but should have had more. After giving up home runs in consecutive outings against the Indians that July, Stevens took out his frustrations on a Jacobs Field telephone box, according to The Associated Press. He was out hurt for more than three weeks.

"I punched the box with my right hand and broke my thumb," Stevens recalled to The AP in 1999. "It was the worst decision I've ever made."

Stevens got into 17 more games that year, but just 16 total in 1997. He returned partly to form in 1998, getting 31 outings in Chicago back with the Cubs.

He finished out his career with five outings in Cleveland in 1999 and two with Atlanta in 2000, ending his big league career after time in seven big league seasons.

Stevens is credited with two more seasons in the minors, in 2001 with the Braves and a season in independent ball in 2004.

• Los Angeles Times, July 5, 1993: Fyhrie's Elbow Gets a Hand From His Foot
• Chicago Tribune, June 12, 1994: Ex-Cubs Enjoying Minnesota
• Toledo Blade, Associated Press, March 15, 1999: Stevens trying to impress Tribe

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:1,240
Made the Majors: 694 - 56.0%-X
Never Made Majors: 546-44.0%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 298-X
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 177

Calvin Ford, Outfield Assist - 3298

With two outs in the ninth inning of this August 1990 contest, the visiting Huntington Cubs were up 2-1.

The Burlington Indian smacked a base hit. The runner on second turned past third, headed home.

Huntington would also end up winning by that same 2-1 score, thanks to outfielder Calvin Ford. Ford fielded the ball and fired it home, according to The Portsmouth Daily Times, cutting down the runner and winning the game for Huntington.

Ford was in his second professional season that year with Huntington. It was also his last, his career ending a few weeks after that game-ending outfield assist.

Ford's brief pro career began in 1989, taken by the Cubs in the sixth round of the draft, out of Ontario High School in California.

In high school, Ford was called his team's best hitter, according to The Los Angeles Times. He also was a decent starter, going 6-4 by late-May 1989.

With the Cubs, Ford started at rookie Wytheville in the Appalachian League. He got into 44 games, hitting three home runs and knocking in 19. But he also hit just .191.

For 1990, Ford stayed in the Appalachian League, moving with the club to rookie Huntington. He got into 55 games that year, doubling and scoring in a late-June rally.

But Ford hit just a single home run that year in 1990, with 10 RBIs. He also didn't improve on his 1989 average, hitting .184 on the year. It was his final year as a pro.

• Portsmouth Daily Times, Aug. 25, 1990: Cubs top Indians

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:1,239
Made the Majors: 693 - 55.9%
Never Made Majors: 546-44.1%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 297
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 177

Doug Strange, Some Perspective - 211

Originally published Aug. 25, 2010

Doug Strange had been highly thought of by none other than the Tigers manager himself, Sparky Anderson. But that was in spring 1988. His season in 1988 did nothing to live up to the expectations.

Strange didn't make the Tigers out of spring training and went on to hit just .201 at AAA Toledo. He even saw time back at AA at Glens Falls.

Back for 1989, Strange told The Toledo Blade he'd tried to get away from everything over the winter and refresh. Everything included part-time jobs and lifting weights.

"Luckily I was able to gain some perspective," Strange told The Blade. "I learned that the way to play this game is to play hard and everything else will take care of itself."

Strange made his major league debut later that year, in July. It was the first of nine major league seasons in which he'd see time. His playing days wouldn't end until 2000, when he began a front office career.

Strange was drafted by the Tigers in the seventh round of the 1985 draft. He made AA Glens Falls and AAA Toledo in 1987, then Detroit in 1989.

Strange's manager with Glens Falls in 1987, Tom Burgess, told The Blade he believed Strange was going to make it. "He's going to get there as quickly as he wants," Burgess told the paper. That July, Strange hit home runs in consecutive games.

Strange's off-season work before 1989 paid off. Called up in July, Strange stayed for 64 games. He spent 1990 in the Astros system, next seeing major league action in 1991, three games for the Cubs. His most major league time came in 1993, playing 145 games with the Rangers, hitting .256. He hit a two-out single in a May game to give the Rangers the win.

Arriving with the Mariners for 1995, Strange proved an important part of Seattle's run to the playoffs and past the Yankees. The Mariners got into the playoffs after a tie for the division. Helping them to that tie was a Strange home run Sept. 19 that tied a game in the ninth that the Mariners won in extras.

"I'd be lying to you if I said this didn't mean something special," Strange told The Associated Press after the game. Strange went on to take the walk that tied up Game 5 of the Division Series against the Yankees.

Strange returned to Seattle for 1996 then went on to Montreal for 1997. There, he played in 118 games and hit .257 with 12 home runs. His final major league season was 1998, with the Pirates. He hit just .173, then he underwent elbow surgery and lost most of 1999.

But he returned for 2000, attempting a comeback with the Braves. He told The Spartanburg Herald-Journal he needed to leave on his own terms. He spoke as a member of the AA Greenville Braves.

"I just don't want to leave the game hurt," Strange told The Herald-Journal. "I want to give myself a chance to get healthy and what, if anything, happens from that. If nothing happens, I'll know it is time."

Strange played in just 18 games for Greenville that year, ending his career.

• Toledo Blade, April 1, 1989: Strange learns last season's lesson
• Ellensburg Daily Record, Sept. 20, 1995: Griffey's 11th inning heroics lift M's
• Northwest Arkansas Times Daily, Oct. 9. 1995: Mariners give them a Yank, Part 2
• Spartanburg Herald-Journal, June 11, 2000: Strange back where he started

Chuck Kirk, Slammed Closed - 3277

The Daytona Cubs needed a reliable closer in May 1993 and Chuck Kirk appeared that he may be the guy, according to The Daytona Beach News-Journal.

He appeared to be that closer after picking up his third save, coming into and getting out of an eighth-inning jam, The News-Journal wrote.

"Kirk is Mr. Reliable out of our bullpen at this time," Daytona pitching coach Les Strode told The News-Journal. "He slammed it closed."

Kirk's time as the Daytona closer, though, ended up being brief. He got just one more save, for four total in 20 total outings on the season. That season ended up being Kirk's last.

Kirk's pro career began back in 1990, taken by the Cubs in the 31st round of the draft, out of Jacksonville University in Florida.

Kirk played at Jacksonville in 1989 and 1990, helping the team to the NCAA South Regional. He later returned to the school in 2011 for an alumni weekend.

With the Cubs, Kirk started at rookie Huntington, getting into 10 games there. He picked up one July save on seven pitches. That same month, he also picked up a ninth-inning win.

From Huntington, Kirk moved to short-season Geneva, getting 14 outings, seven starts there. Between the two levels,  Kirk posted a 3.33 ERA.

For 1991, Kirk played 38 games, 17 starts at single-A Peoria. He went 5-9, picking up four saves and a 3.60 ERA. One of those saves was a three-inning effort in May.

Kirk moved to high-A Winston-Salem for 1992, getting into 48 games there, 10 starts. He went 10-6, with two saves. His final year then came in 1993, with those 20 games at Daytona, ending his career.

• Daytona Beach News-Journal, May 10, 1993: Cubs edge Rangers, sweep home series

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:1,238
Made the Majors: 693 - 56.0%
Never Made Majors: 545-44.0%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 297
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 177

Ken Krahenbuhl, Serious Pitcher - 3278

Read the September 2013 Ken Krahenbuhl interview: Ken Krahenbuhl, Still Pitched

Starting his professional career in 1990, Ken Krahenbuhl knew what he had to do and he was going to set out and do it.

"I want to improve my pitching in every outing," Krahenbuhl was quoted as saying on his card back. "I want to help the team win."

What he presumably also wanted to do was to be looked at as a serious pitcher. Years later, as he extended his career in independent ball, that wasn't necessarily the case.

Krahenbuhl was the guy traded from one independent club to another in July 1998 for a player to be named, cash, and 10 pounds of catfish.

The player to be named and cash, though, were quickly forgotten. Krahenbuhl ended up being the guy traded for fish.

He also was the guy who responded by going out in his first game with his new team and throwing a perfect game.

Krahenbuhl's pro career began that year in 1990, taken by the Cubs in the 19th round of the draft, out of San Bernardino Valley College.

With the Cubs, Krahenbuhl was assigned to rookie Huntington. Krahenbuhl, though, isn't credited as pitching that year. His first credited time came in 1991, with single-A Peoria. At Peoria, Krahenbuhl went 7-8 over 23 starts, with a 3.96 ERA. He picked up one of those Peoria wins in a six-inning effort in May.

He returned to Peoria for 1992, getting time that year at high-A Winston-Salem. Between the two levels, he got 30 outings, 20 starts. He went 7-9, with a 3.45 ERA. It was his final season in the Cubs system.

For 1993, Krahenbuhl started his time in independent ball with the Northern League's Rochester Aces. He got six starts there and isn't credited as playing anywhere in 1994.

After two shortened seasons playing with Palm Springs and Tri-City in 1995 and 1996, Krahenbuhl's road to that trade began in 1997 at Greenville in Mississippi. He went 8-5 for Greenville before moving to Pacific in the Western League to start 1998.

At Pacific, he ended up going 4-5 over 11 starts, with an ERA of 3.51 ERA. Krahenbuhl later explained what happened next to The New York Daily News. Though he pitched well, the team was a loser. Krahenbuhl decided on his own to return to Greenville.

Pacific could trade him or not, but he was staying in Greenville, Krahenbuhl told The Daily News. They traded him, then he learned about the trade's details

"They (Pacific) were going to embarrass me for leaving," Krahenbuhl told The Daily News. "I really felt insulted. Really wanted to shove it in their faces. It was on my mind, believe me, when I went out there. I didn't want to be known as the guy who was traded for fish. I wanted to show 'em."

Krahenbuhl went out and showed his real worth, throwing that perfect game.

Krahenbuhl ended up playing the rest of that year with Greenville and then the next. His 1999 season, 13 outings, ended up being his last as a pro.

A few weeks after the trade, Krahenbuhl spoke with The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal about his hopes as a professional. He wasn't really hoping to get back in affiliated ball. He just really wanted to play and win.

"I just want to pitch on a good independent team. I just want to win a championship," Krahenbuhl told The Avalanche-Journal. ''That's all I really want. ... If I can make some money in independent ball and I can play on a championship caliber team, that's all that's important to me."

Read the September 2013 Ken Krahenbuhl interview: Ken Krahenbuhl, Still Pitched

• Albany Herald, Associated Press, July 29, 1998: Minor leaguer dealt for mess of fish
• New York Daily News, July 30, 1998: This fish story has happy ending
• Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Aug. 26, 1998: Krahenbuhl always smiles about catfish

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:1,237
Made the Majors: 693 - 56.0%
Never Made Majors: 544-44.0%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 297
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 177

Orlando Mercado, Grand Slam - 548

Read the June 2014 interview: Orlando Mercado, Hardly Slowed

Originally published April 23, 2012

Orlando Mercado got off to a slow start at AAA Spokane in 1981. After hitting 11 home runs the year before, by mid-June, he hadn't hit any, The Spokane Spokesman-Review wrote.

After a talk from a new batting coach, though, Mercado went out and hit home runs on consecutive nights, The Spokesman-Review wrote.

"He talked to me and said I hit the ball well, but I was hitting it to people," Mercado told The Spokane Spokesman-Review. "So he told me to pull my shoulder a little bit when I swing."

Mercado went on to hit just two other home runs that year. The next year, though, he hit 17 - 16 at AAA and one in the majors.

That one home run in the majors, coming Sept. 19, turned out to be Mercado's first major league hit. It was also a grand slam. It was the first time in modern major league history that a player's first big league hit came on a grand slam.

Mercado went on to a career that saw eight seasons in the majors, 253 games. By the time it was over, Mercado's major league home run total stood at seven. Mercado has since gone on to a long coaching career that continues into 2012.

Mercado's career began in 1978, signed by the Mariners as an amateur free agent out of Puerto Rico. He played that first year at short-season Bellingham. He made AA Lynn in 1980, then AAA Spokane in 1981.

He returned to AAA for 1982, at Salt Lake City. Then, in September, Mercado made the majors in Seattle. Mercado got into nine games, with 17 at bats. He got two hits, one of them that grand slam.

The catcher Mercado got into 66 more games with the Mariners in 1983. He got one more home run, but hit just .197.

After going through the Rangers and the Tigers' systems, by late 1987, Mercado was with the Dodgers, playing at AAA Albuquerque.

In September, Mercado returned to the majors, even though his Albuquerque team was in the playoffs. Mercado told The Los Angeles Times he was just hoping for a ring.

"I've been in baseball 10 years and I've never got a ring. I wanted to play on a championship team," Mercado told The Times. "But I'm here, and I've waited for the chance. Maybe I'll play a little and they'll find out what I can do."

In seven games for the Dodgers, Mercado got five at bats, three hits. By 1988, Mercado was with the Athletics. He got into 16 games, part of that time spent as a fill-in for Terry Steinbach. In a May game, Mercado dropped a relay to the plate, allowing a run to score. Later, though, he hit another big league home run.

Mercado got into 19 games with the Twins in 1989, then 50 final major league games in 1990 with the Mets and the Expos. In June 1990, then 28, Mercado knew his role, as the younger Todd Hundley got moved up to the majors over him.

"I'm playing everyday and that's all I wanted to do," Mercado told The Newport News Daily Press. "The last couple of days I've been swinging the bat better. I'm happy here."

Mercado continued playing in the minors into 1994. He has since gone on to his long post-playing career, serving as a hitting coach in the minors and, by 2004, bullpen coach for the Angels. For 2012, Mercado is continuing in the Angels system, as minor league catching coordinator.

Read the June 2014 interview: Orlando Mercado, Hardly Slowed

• Spokane Spokesman-Review, June 28, 1981: Tom's timely tips telling Tribe's tale
• Los Angeles Times, Sept. 9, 1987: Stubbs Breathes New Life Into Dead Wood in Dodgers' 5-3 Win
• Anchorage Daily News, McClatchy News Service, May 9, 1988: A's stretch streak to 13 straight, Part 2
• Newport News Daily Press, June 3, 1990: Tidewater Tides Report

Morris Craig, Specific Goals - 3287

Morris Craig had specific goals going into his first professional season in 1990, according to his card back.

Those goals addressed both that first profession season - and his sixth.

"My goal this season is to hit four home runs, steal 15 bases and help my team win games," Craig was quoted as saying on his card back. "I plan to be in the majors in 1995."

While Craig went out and had a good first pro season, helping his team to victories, and is last recorded as playing in 1998, he ended up not meeting any of his other goals. His last affiliated season came just two seasons later, his career ending never making it to AA.

Craig's career began that season in 1990, signed by the Cubs as an undrafted free agent out of his home state of Alabama. Craig is also referred to by the shorter Mo Craig.

With the Cubs, Craig played his first season at rookie Huntington, getting into 48 games and hitting .310. He helped his team to a July win, singling and scoring late. He singled and scored again in an August game and hit a lead-off home run in another game that month.

As for his predictions for that season, Craig picked up just that single home run and stole eight bases.

For 1991, Craig split time between short-season Geneva and single-A Peoria. Between them, he got into just 36 games, hitting .181.

He came back for 1992, playing again between the two levels. This time, though, he got into a total of 90 games, hitting .252. In one June Peoria win, Craig knocked in four runs, getting just 10 other RBIs on the year.

That 1992 season ended up being Craig's final season in the Cubs system and in affiliated ball. He is credited as coming back in 1997 to play for independent Tupelo, and again for a brief stint in 1998, ending his career.

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:1,236
Made the Majors: 693 - 56.1%
Never Made Majors: 543-43.9%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 297
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 177

Nelson Ramirez, Positive Outlook - 3280

Nelson Ramirez had a positive outlook going into his first professional season, according to his 1990 ProCards card back.

He also believed there was more to his opportunity than his ability to pitch.

"I give thanks to God for the chance to play in Huntington," Ramirez was quoted as saying. "I played three years in my native Dominican Republic. I want to reach the majors."

For Ramirez, though, he would never reach the majors, or even get out of that first season as a pro. His entire pro career consisted of just three appearances at rookie Huntington, all in relief.

Ramirez' professional career began and ended that year in 1990, signed by the Cubs as an undrafted free agent out of his native Dominican Republic. It was the year Ramirez would turn 19.

On his card back, he credited a pitcher by the name of Gabil Rodriguez with influencing him. Ramirez liked to learn from Rodriguez' style of pitching. Exactly who Ramirez was referring to, or whether that pitcher made the pros in the U.S. is unclear.

Whatever his influences were, on the field for Huntington, they weren't enough.

Ramirez got into three games for Huntington, 5.2 total innings of work. In that span, he gave up six earned runs, including a home run. He also struck out seven and walked four. His ERA in those outings, though, neared 10, at 9.53. He's not credited as playing again.

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:1,235
Made the Majors: 693 - 56.1%
Never Made Majors: 542-43.9%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 297
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 177

Pedro Sanchez, Grand Slam - 207

Originally published Nov. 19, 2011

The Orlando Twins were one out from forcing an 11th inning in an August 1989 contest against Columbus.

But, standing between the O-Twins and that third out was Columbus Mudcat Pedro Sanchez.

With the bases loaded and the score tied at five, Sanchez launched a walk-off grand slam to give Columbus a 9-5 victory, The Orlando Sentinel wrote.

It was one of seven home runs Sanchez hit that year for the AA Mudcats, part of a season where he hit .268.

Sanchez, though, never got the opportunity to hit a home run, much less a walk-off, in the majors. He reached AAA, but never reached the majors.

Sanchez' career began in 1985, signed by the Astros as a free agent out of his native Dominican Republic.

Sanchez played that first year in the Gulf Coast League, hitting .249 in 50 games. From there, Sanchez moved to short-season Auburn in 1986, hitting .241 in 72 games.

Sanchez hit single-A in 1987 and 1988, at Asheville and Osceola, hitting .269 and .247 respectively. In 1988, Sanchez helped send Osceola to the Florida State League championship game, scoring the series-winning run on an error.

He made AA Columbus in 1989. In April, he helped Columbus to a win against Charlotte with a run-scoring single. That same night, he got three other hits, going 4-for-4, The Rock Hill Herald wrote.

Sanchez knocked in 54 runs for Columbus in 1989. He moved to AAA Tucson for 1990, what would be his final season. That year, he got into 73 games for the Toros, But Sanchez hit just .183, with no home runs, ending his career short of the majors.

• Rock Hill Herald, April 20, 1989: Columbus shaves Knights in 10th
• Orlando Sentinel, Aug. 19, 1989: 10-inning Grand Slam Sinks Twins

Cesar Montero, Admired Most - 3289

Asked what player was his sports idol, Cesar Montero responded Juan Samuel, according to his 1990 ProCards card back.

He chose Samuel as the player he admired most, he explained, because he like Samuel's style of playing the game.

Samuel that year was in his eighth season with time in the majors, part of a career that would see 16 major league campaigns.

Montero was starting his first professional season in 1990, playing rookie ball. That season would also be Montero's last, ultimately credited with fewer individual professional games than Samuel had major league seasons.

Montero's professional career began and ended that year in 1990. It began as the Cubs signed him as an undrafted free agent out of his native Dominican Republic, the same country from which Samuel hailed.

Going into that season, Montero, just 17 when the season began, was quoted on his card back as talking about his past, as well as looking toward the future.

"I feel ready to come to Huntington and play professional baseball," Montero was quoted as saying. "I began playing baseball while growing up in the Dominican Republic. My goal is to play in Wrigley Field."

With rookie Huntington that year, though, the infielder Montero was credited with appearances in only 14 games, 18 plate appearances.

In those 18 plate appearances, Montero picked up five hits, two of them doubles. He also walked twice and struck out six times. Those ended up being his only professional at bats. The teenager did not return for a second season.

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:1,234
Made the Majors: 693 - 56.2%
Never Made Majors: 541-43.8%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 297
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 177

Ed Larregui, Running Hard - 3300

Trying to break himself out of high-A in 1994, Ed Larregui seemed to be doing a good job of it.

By the end of June, he was hitting .297 at high-A Daytona, according to The Orlando Sentinel. He'd also knocked in 48. 

''This is me,'' Larregui told The Sentinel in early July. ''I'm running hard and hustling. This is what they've wanted from me. I've proved that. I got in my mind I'd have to look good, concentrate on hitting and moving the runner over.''

By the end of the year, Larregui was in AA Orlando. Orlando, though, would be as high as Larregui would get. In a career that spanned eight seasons, Larregui never made the majors.

Larregui's career began in 1989, taken by the Cubs in the seventh round, out of Villa Fontana High School in his native Puerto Rico. Larregui is also known by his full first name, Edgardo Larregui.

With the Cubs, Larregui hit the field first in 1990, the 17-year-old playing at rookie Huntington. He hit .186 there, with two home runs.

He moved to short-season Geneva for 1991, improving his average to .248. For 1992, he was at single-A Peoria with a .287 average.

For 1993, Larregui made high-A Daytona. His batting averaged then dropped back to .237. After playing 1994 between Daytona and AA Orlando, Larregui returned to Orlando for 1995. He hit .300 that year, with 11 home runs.

In a June 1995 game, Larregui knocked in three runs, one of them the game-winner. He also got praise from his manager, Bruce Kimm, according to The Sentinel.

"He's been one of our most consistent players all year,'' Kimm told The Sentinel. ''Ed is . . . definitely on his way up the hill."

For Larregui, though, it ended up being his final full season in the Cubs organization. He played 17 games back at Orlando in 1996 before moving to the White Sox and AA Birmingham. He played one more season in independent ball, at Aberdeen in the Prairie League, ending his career short of the bigs.

• Orlando Sentinel, July 3, 1994: Larregui's Hustle Speaks For Itself
• Orlando Sentinel, July 16, 1995: Larregui Gets Extra Punch From Leg Kick

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:1,233
Made the Majors: 693 - 56.2%
Never Made Majors: 540-43.8%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 297
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 177

Jeff Innis, Regular Basis - 539

Originally published March 12, 2012

Jeff Innis wasn't sure if he wanted to continue. But, after being sent down to AAA Salt Lake City in spring 1994, it was Innis' wife convinced him to continue, The Deseret News wrote.

He went down, hoping a new knuckleball would get him back, The News wrote.

"I'm going to use this time to make myself a better pitcher," Innis told The News that April. "I'm sure Salt Lake is a very nice place and all, but I hope I'm not there very long."

By that point, Innis had played in seven major league seasons, all with the Mets. He wouldn't get an eighth. Innis' career did end the following season, after 13 seasons as a pro.

Innis' career began in 1983, taken by the Mets in the 13th round, out of the University of Illinois.

Innis started at short-season Little Falls, moving to AA Jackson in 1984. He made AAA Tidewater to start 1987. He made Flushing in May 1987.

In his debut, Innis struck out three in relief. But he also gave up the game-winning home run in the 10th to the Giants' Jeffrey Leonard.

"I was nervous because of pitching for the first time in the majors," Innis told The Associated Press after the loss, "but I still thought I threw him a good pitch. It sank well and he went after it and got it. Give him credit."

Innis got into 17 games for the Mets that year, including his only start. He gave up nine earned runs in 25.2 innings of work. Innis returned for 12 more outings in 1988, giving up four earned runs in 19 innings. In 1989, he got into 29 games, with a 3.18 ERA.

While he spent time in the majors for three-straight seasons, it also came with time back at AAA Tidewater. Innis started 1990 with the Mets, but found himself back at Tidewater by the end of April.

"With the big leagues, I've been disillusioned a little bit," Innis told The Newport News Daily Press with the Tides. "I thought I've always pitched well in the big leagues but I just can't seem to convince anyone with the Mets that I can pitch in the big leagues on a regular basis."

Innis finally started convincing in 1991. After 18 total games with the Mets in 1990, Innis got into 69 total games in 1991. He also posted a 2.66 ERA.

Going in to 1991, Innis could feel that he might get his chance.

"My goal in the past has been to just stay here as long as I could, to spend one less day with the minor leaguers," Innis told The New York Times that March. "I was afraid to think I was even going to make the team, much less help it. Now, I'm ready to say it and to do it."

Innis continued to convince in 1992, with a career high 76 appearances. He did it with a 2.86 ERA. In 1993, what would be his final year in the majors, Innis got into 67 games, with a 4.11 ERA.

Innis signed with the Twins for 1994, but never saw Minnesota. By the end of the year, Innis was with the Padres at AAA Las Vegas. He finished out his playing career in 1995, with the Phillies at AAA Scranton.

• Lewiston Morning Tribune, Associated Press, May 17, 1987: Leonard's home run dumps struggling Mets
• Newport News Daily Press, April 30, 1990: Innis Puts Aside Disappointment In Tides' 2-1 Victory
• New York Times, March 18, 1991: Innis Finally Feels at Home in Clubhouse
• Deseret News, April 5, 1994: Innis hopes to have more fun in Salt Lake

Jason Sehorn, Tremendous Athleticism - 3302

Read the August 2013 Jason Sehorn interview: Jason Sehorn, Let's Go

Like many of his teammates that year at rookie Huntington, Jason Sehorn looked forward to the bigs.

"My goals are similar to everyone else's," Sehorn is quoted as saying on his card back. "I want to make it to the big leagues and to graduate from college."

Sehorn did make it to the big leagues, and he became a star. It's just, he didn't make it to the bigs in baseball.

Sehorn made it in football, after returning to college. He then spent a decade in the game on defense, at cornerback. Nine of those seasons he played with the New York Giants and one with the Rams.

With the Giants, Sehorn was known for spectacular defense, coming back from injuries and one legendary play on the Giants' run to the 2001 Super Bowl.

That legendary play was an improbable interception that Sehorn ran back for an Eagles-deflating touchdown that helped send New York to the 2001 NFC championship game.

Sehorn's professional baseball career began and ended in 1990, signed by the Cubs as a free agent out of his native California.

With the Cubs, Sehorn played at rookie Huntington, hitting a paltry .184 over 49 games, with a single home run. He scored the winning run in an early July game and knocked in a run in an August game.

Sehorn signed with the Cubs after a summer of American Legion ball. He hit well enough for the Cubs to give him $40,000, according to Sports Illustrated. After that year at Huntington though, Sehorn went in a different direction.

Sehorn moved to the football field, playing receiver at Shasta Community College, then transferring to college football powerhouse USC moving to defense. He learned quickly now to snag interceptions and pick up fumbles, Sports Illustrated wrote.

"Defense is the hardest thing in the world," Sehorn told SI. "If you drop the ball as a receiver, you still have two more plays. When a defensive back makes a mistake, that's seven points on the board. The worst part is I have to run backward as fast as my opponent is running forward—and he knows where he's going."

Sehorn played well enough at USC to get the notice of the pros, enough to become a high draft pick. Sehorn was selected by the Giants in 1994 in the second round, 59th overall.

Sehorn made it into eight games for the Giants that year and 14 the next. In 1996 and 1997, he played in all 16 games. He also recorded five interceptions in 1996 and six in 1997.

''If you just watch Jason or you're around Jason, he doesn't show a great amount of what you might feel would make him step on the field and be a very intense player,'' Giants head coach Jim Fassel told The New York Times in November 1997. ''But when the ball is snapped, boy, he goes a hundred miles per hour. I mean, he really, really plays hard."

Going into the next season, Sehorn tore his ACL, missing the entire season. But he came back for 10 games in 1999 before breaking his leg. Then it was 14 games in 2000.

In January 2001, as his Giants prepared to play in the Super Bowl against the Ravens, Sehorn looked back on that injury with The St. Petersburg Times.

"Going through difficult rehab, coming back from serious medical problems," Sehorn told The SP Times, "makes me appreciate even more being healthy and playing Super Bowl XXXV."

Helping the team get to Super Bowl XXXV was Sehorn. In the divisional matchup against Philadelphia, with 1:40 to go in the first half, Sehorn got his hands on pass, tipped it up and caught it, according to an Associated Press account. He then got up and ran the ball back for a momentum-stopping touchdown.

"I have never seen an interception as good as that one," Fassel told The AP after the 20-10 Giants win. "That was tremendous athleticism in making the play, but our defense was strong. I have seen our defense play well at times, but I don't think I've seen our defense take over a game like that."

Sehorn went on to play in three more seasons, two with the Giants and one with the Rams.

He has since moved on to other ventures and just being a dad to three daughters, he told The New York Daily News in 2010. At that point, he and his family had moved to the Charlotte area, from California.

"I didn't have a dad so I know my kids are going to have a father," Sehorn told The Daily News. "They're going to see their dad. He's going to be around. It's just going to be different for them, and I owe that to the fact I was able to play football for 10 years. As much as I can harp on the way the game is going now in the NFL, it's allowed me a great lifestyle to have the freedoms to do these things."

Read the August 2013 Jason Sehorn interview: Jason Sehorn, Let's Go 

• Sports Illustrated, Aug. 30, 1993: Jason Sehorn
• New York Times, Nov. 19, 1997: Sehorn's Quiet Intensity Makes Believer of Fassel
• CBSNews.com, Associated Press, Jan. 8, 2001: Giants Stand Tall Against Eagles
• St. Petersburg Times, Jan. 26, 2001: After a painful time, life is 'going really well' for Sehorn
• New York Daily News, Dec. 4, 2010: Former Giants defensive back Jason Sehorn has a message for the NFL: Let them play!

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:1,232
Made the Majors: 693 - 56.3%
Never Made Majors: 539-43.7%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 297
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 177

Scott Gardner, Hopes Were - 3274

By 1990, Scott Gardner had been playing baseball for a dozen years, starting as a kid.

His hopes were, he told team officials for his 1990 ProCards card back, was to be playing for a lot longer.

"I started playing baseball at age 7," Gardner said, according to his card back. "Every year I made the All-Star team. I want to achieve major league status. Also, get married and have kids."

Gardner was going into his first season as a pro that year at rookie Huntington. He went on to play in six more professional seasons. He never made the majors, but the pitcher did have a hand in a no-hitter.

Gardner's pro career began as he was taken that June by the Cubs in the 14th round, out of Imperial Valley College in California.

With Huntington, Gardner got into 13 games, four starts, posting a 1.87 ERA. He went 3-2, with two saves. Early in the year, Gardner suffered a shoulder injury. He came back with a five-inning, no-run performance. He also picked up a late-August win, going six innings.

For 1991, Gardner returned to Huntington, also getting time at single-A Peoria. He got only 10 starts on the year. In 1992, he played exclusively at short-season Genevia, getting another 10 outings.

In 1993, Gardner got a full year in, 39 outings back at Peoria. He went 5-6, with a 5.40 ERA in 30 relief appearances, nine starts. It was that April that Gardner had a hand in his no-hitter, combining with another hurler for a 7-inning variety.

Gardner isn't credited as playing in 1994, but he returned in 1995 with the Tigers at single-A Fayetteville and high-A Lakeland. Between them, he had a 2.15 ERA. With Fayetteville, Gardner picked up four saves, including one in late April.

Gardner played in two more seasons, both in the Brewers system. In his final season, 1997, Gardner got 29 outings at AA El Paso and one at AAA Tucson, ending his career.

Gardner has since moved to Indiana, working in finance in the automotive industry, according to his LinkedIn profile.

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:1,231
Made the Majors: 693 - 56.3%
Never Made Majors: 538-43.7%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 297
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 177

John Cumberland, Comfortable Night - 561

Originally published April 7, 2010
The weather wasn't the best that night, but John Cumberland didn't care.

Called on in the third inning of a 5-5 game, Cumberland finished out the game, giving up one unearned run on four hits in 6.1 innings. The Yankees won 11-6, for Cumberland's first major league win.

"I thought it was a comfortable night to pitch," Cumberland said after the April 23, 1970, game in an Associated Press account. The Portland, Me., native wasn't phased by the weather. "I played in an inch of snow in Maine. We had to shovel the snow off the field to play."

In parts of six major league seasons, Cumberland went 15-16 in both starting and relief work. It was also a career that saw the future pitching coach upend a future Hall of Famer.

In one June 22, 1971 outing, with the Giants, Cumberland went toe-to-toe with Ferguson Jenkins, going 8.2 innings and coming out on top of a 2-0 score.

He played his final pro game in 1974 with the Angels. It was in 1985 that he took the pitching coach job with the AAA Tidewater Tides, a position he would hold through 1990.

Cumberland made it back to the majors in 1995, as pitching coach for the Red Sox. Kevin Kennedy took a liking to him in spring training, installing Cumberland as pitching coach in March.

During the brief regular spring training, Cumberland watched the ace of his staff Roger Clemens give up a home run on the first pitch. "That's OK," Cumberland told The Providence Journal, "It doesn't bother me. I'm sure it didn't bother him."

Clemens struggled early that season. "Nobody goes out there all the time with his best stuff," Cumberland told The AP after Clemens was pulled from a July start. "He's going to be just fine."

Cumberland would be pulled himself a couple days later, put on a leave of absence, with Al Nipper taking over the duties.

Cumberland returned to the Red Sox system for 1996, serving as AAA Pawtucket pitching coach through 1998, then back to Boston as the Red Sox bullpen coach from 1999-2001.

In 2002, Cumberland started the year in the same job, but with the Royals' AAA club in Omaha. Mid-season, it was Cumberland who took Nipper's job, as he was named Kansas City's pitching coach. Cumberland saw the Royals off to a 9-0 start in 2003, as Cumberland stressed throwing first-pitch strikes.

But, by 2004, Cumberland was out again.

"It was a very tough decision," Royals Manager Tony Pena told MLB.com. "It was an executive decision. It had nothing to do with the way John Cumberland worked. He worked very hard.

"He is a great man. I cannot ask him to do any more than he did," Pena added to MLB.com. "Sometimes executives have to make decisions and you have to respect those decisions."

• New London Day, Associated Press, April 24, 1970: Cumberland Gets First Victory with Yankees
• Lewiston Sun Journal, Providence Journal, April 13, 1995: Clemens shaping up
• MLB.com, June 30, 2004: Notes: Cumberland dismissed

Rolando Fernandez, Teaching Starts - 3297

Finding a good player in Latin America, Rolando Fernandez told ESPN.com in 2008, involves more than just spotting a player. There's much work after that.

"There's a concept that the players play a lot of baseball in the Dominican before they sign," Fernandez told ESPN.com. "But they don't play a lot of organized baseball, so once you sign them and get them in the complex, that's when the teaching starts."

Fernandez spoke to ESPN.com as the Rockies' director of international operations, a job he continues in 2013. Fernandez is continuing a career as a scout and coach that has lasted for nearly two decades.

Fernandez went on to that career after a career as a player in the Cubs system. That playing career, though, lasted just three seasons, Fernandez never seeing AA.

A native of Puerto Rico, Fernandez' career in baseball began in 1990, taken by the Cubs in the 45th round of the draft, out of New Mexico State University.

With the Cubs, Fernandez started at rookie Huntington, hitting .252 over 47 games. He hit four home runs, one of them a two-run shot in mid-August.

Fernandez moved to single-A Peoria for 1991, hitting .281 in 108 games. His final season as a player came in 1992, with 72 games at high-A Winston-Salem. He hit just .202, ending his playing career.

By 1994, Fernandez was with the Rockies, as a coach in rookie ball. Fernandez soon turned scout, named in 2000 as the team's director of Latin American operations.

In 2009, The Denver Post listed off Fernandez' scouting resume: Signing and helping develop Ubaldo Jimenez, Franklin Morales, Jhoulys Chacin and others.

"He's known in the Dominican as one of the best guys out there, somebody you can trust," Jimenez told The Post. "He doesn't do it just for the money; he does it because he loves baseball."

• ESPN.com, March 11, 2008: Latin American arms elevating the Rockies
• Denver Post, May 3, 2009: Rockies stay on high road in Latin scouting

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:1,230
Made the Majors: 693 - 56.3%
Never Made Majors: 537-43.7%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 297
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 177

J.P. Postiff, Major Plans - 3292

J.P. Postiff was a late-round draft pick in 1990, but he still had faith in his ability, according to the quote on his 1990 ProCards card back.

"I've played at Allan Hancock College and at Fresno State," Postiff is quoted as saying on his card back. "I plan to make it to the majors in a couple of years and I want to finish my degree in criminal law."

Postiff spoke that year as he started his first professional season at rookie Huntington. A couple of years later, he was still in single-A. The year after that was his last year as a pro, Postiff never making his goal of the majors.

Postiff's career began that year in 1990, taken by the Cubs in the 33rd round, out of Fresno State. Postiff is also credited as James Postiff and J.R. Postiff.

With the Cubs, Postiff started at rookie Huntington, hitting .246 over 56 games. He also hit three home runs and stole 10 bases.

For 1991, Postiff split time between high-A Winston-Salem and single-A Peoria, getting just 67 games between them. At Winston-Salem, Postiff hit just .190 over 53 games.

Postiff spent 1992 full-time at Peoria, getting into 92 games, hitting .204. In a late-May game, though, he went 3 for 4, helping Peoria to a win. It was his final season in the Cubs' system.

Postiff is credited with one more season, spent back in rookie ball with independent Pocatello. He hit .277, but it was his final year as a pro.

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:1,229
Made the Majors: 693 - 56.4%
Never Made Majors: 536-43.6%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 297
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 177

Louie Meadows, Into Place - 215

Originally published Oct. 5, 2012

Louie Meadows told The Orlando Sentinel in spring 1989 he knew what he was competing for. He was competing for a backup spot in the Astros outfield.

But it was a major league spot.

"I don't mind that," Meadows told The Sentinel early that March. "You have to start somewhere. If I can get into that role, other things will start falling into place."

By that point, Meadows had already seen time in two major league seasons, six games in 1986 and 35 in 1988. He would make the Astros in 1989, getting into another 31 games.

Overall, though, Meadows' major league career never really fell into place, at least as a regular. He got into another 30 major league games in 1990, marking the extent of his big league career.

Meadows' career began in 1982, taken by the Astros in the second round of the draft, out of North Carolina State University.

Meadows started at single-A Asheville, hitting .316 in 66 games. He made AA Columbus in his third season, then AAA Tucson in his fifth.

In July 1986, Meadows first made Houston. He got into six games for the Astros, six at bats. He picked up two hits.

After a season back at Tucson in 1987, Meadows returned to Houston for those 35 games in 1988. He got eight hits in 42 at bats, for a .190 average. He got his first major league start in late June.

"This is a very important time for me," Meadows told The Associated Press after his call back. "It's exciting just to be here again, especially when you know you belong here."

Meadows could never quite show he belonged, at least at the plate. Coming back for 1989, Meadows got another 51 at bats, picking up nine hits for a .176 average. One of his June hits, though, resulted in two runs.

Meadows played 15 games for the Astros in 1990, then 15 more for the Phillies later. Between them, he got three hits in 28 at bats, ending his big league career. His playing career then ended the next year, with one last season at AAA.

• Wilmington Star-News, Associated Press, July 3, 1988: Meadows gets back to majors
• Orlando Sentinel, March 3, 1989: Making Astros Annual Battle For Meadows

Tim Moore, Shot Given - 3290

It took Tim Moore a little while, but he finally decided to sign.

The high schooler from California wanted to go pro, finally signing late that August in 1989, The Los Angeles Times wrote.

"I just didn't feel I was ready for college," Moore told The Times. "I kind of wanted to give this a shot."

Moore hit the field for the Cubs the next summer, at rookie Huntington. He eventually hit the field in three professional seasons, never making it above single-A.

Moore's career began that year in 1989, taken by the Cubs in the 12th round of the draft, out of La Habra High School in Whittier, Ca.

At La Habra, Moore played football and basketball, along with baseball, according to The Times. He hit .530 and passed on USC and UC Irvine. In one March 1989 game, Moore went 3 for 4, with three stolen bases.

With the Cubs, Moore started in 1990 at rookie Huntington. To team officials, for his ProCards card back, Moore spoke of his hopes.

"My goal is to play as much as possible as long as possible," Moore is quoted as saying on his card back. "I'd like to make it to the big leagues or be a success at whatever I do."

With Huntington, Moore hit .281 in 54 games. He also got four games at high-A Winston-Salem. He hit a three-run home run in a late-July game at Huntington, one of two he hit on the year.

Moore played 1991 between single-A Peoria and short-season Geneva, hitting just .194 between them. He then returned to Peoria for 1992, hitting .242, ending his career.

• Los Angeles Times, Aug. 22, 1989: La Habra's Moore Signs With Cubs

1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:1,228
Made the Majors: 693 - 56.4%
Never Made Majors: 535-43.6%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 297
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 177