Chris Gill, Different Style - 2246

The 2010 version of MLB video game The Show had new options, including a new mode that made it look like a TV broadcast.

Sony senior producer Chris Gill explained to Kotaku.com that February that the new mode provided options for gamers.

"This gives the player an opportunity to play in a different style," Gill told the site. "It doesn't slow the game down, and it's how I play the game now."

Gill played the baseball video game, and helped produce it. Years earlier, he played the actual baseball game, playing in four seasons. He never made the majors.

Gill's involvement in the real baseball game began in 1989, signed by the Reds as an undrafted free agent.

Gill started at rookie Billings, hitting .291, with two home runs. He moved to single-A Charleston for 1990, his average dropping to .251.

He went 2 for 4 in an April 1990 contest, knocking in two. Around that time, the infielder also took a bad hop to his mouth, losing a tooth, he recalled years later to the site Baseball Cards Come to Life!

Gill returned to Charleston in 1991, hitting .232. After not being recorded as playing in 1992, he returned to the field for 44 more games in 1993. He played 42 of those games at high-A Winston-Salem, but hit just .161. It was his final year as a pro.

Gill stayed in the game, though. In 1997, he served as a Reds scout. He then went into another game, video games. He signed on with Sony, becoming a senior producer on MLB The Show.

In his job with Sony, Gill has even gotten to pick up the bat once in a while. The Los Angeles Times pictured him in 2009, noting that his baseball background allows him to don a motion-capture suit when animators need something quickly.

• Los Angeles Times, 2009: Chris Gill
• Kotaku.com, Feb. 21, 2010: What's On Deck For MLB 10 The Show
• Baseball Cards Come to Life!, Nov. 28, 2012: Chris Gill on baseball cards

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,502
Made the Majors: 747 - 49.7%
Never Made Majors: 755-50.3%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 325
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 193

Johnny Ray, Best Pitch - 2240

Speaking to a group of high school players at a pitching camp in 2010, Johnny Ray asked the young players what the best pitch in the game is, according to The Memphis Commercial Appeal.

After hearing different pitches called out, Ray gave the correct answer.

"No, strike one is the best pitch in baseball," Ray told them, according to The Commercial Appeal. "Get ahead (in the count) and make them work for it."

Ray spoke then as head baseball coach at Marshall Academy, near Memphis, in Mississippi. He also spoke with the experience of five seasons spent in the Cincinnati Reds organization. That experience saw Ray make AA, but not make it higher.

Ray's career in baseball began in 1989, signed by the Reds as an undrafted free agent out of Delta State University.

Ray played his first year in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He went 6-2, with a 2.72 ERA over 10 starts.

He moved to single-A Charleston in 1990 and started to win. He went 14-7 there in 1990, then 16-9 for Charleston in 1991.

Ray stayed in single-A for 1992, moving to Cedar Rapids and the Midwest League. He also helped the Cedar Rapids Reds to the Midwest League championship. In the championship game, he went the distance, while striking out 13.

Ray also first made AA Chattanooga in 1992. In 24 outings there, one start, Ray compiled an ERA of 3.63. He returned to Chattanooga for 1993. In 30 outings there, eight starts, Ray went 3-7, with a 6.82 ERA.

He picked up one of his wins in a July game, but shoulder surgery made that his final season as a pro.

Ray went on to be assistant coach at Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis, becoming head coach there in 2004, according to The Desoto Times. He also earned his state coaches association's JUCO Coach of the Year honors. He became head coach at Marshall Academy in 2008,  staying there through 2010.

In 2010, Ray was inducted into the Northwest Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame.

• South Reporter, June 5, 2008: Ray new coach at his alma mater
• Desoto Times, April 26, 2010: OB's Johnny Ray to be honored at Sports Hall of Fame Banquet
• Memphis Commercial Appeal, July 6, 2010: Ex-pros toss their lessons to young pitchers at camp

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,501
Made the Majors: 747 - 49.8%
Never Made Majors: 754-50.2%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 325
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 193

Eric Stone, Locked Down - 150

Originally published May 22, 2012

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jon Fuller, Building Confidence - 2244

Jon Fuller knows the importance building confidence is to a baseball player. He spent 12 years working to build his own confidence as a pro.

He's since moved on, working to build confidence of young players as a baseball instructor in his home state of Washington.

“So we always try to instill that, whether it's in individual workouts or we're working with teams," Fuller told The Kitsap Sun in 2011. "Confidence is a big part and believing you can get to that, whatever level you're at, you get to that next level."

Fuller's career in baseball began in 1988, taken by the Reds in the 38th round, out of Bellevue Community College in Washington.

Fuller started at rookie Billings, hitting .281 over 31 games. The catcher moved to single-A Greensboro for 1989, the first of four seasons Fuller spent at single-A.

Fuller spent 1990 at Charleston, hitting .241. At Charleston, Fuller was one of the first players to catch converted pitcher Trevor Hoffman.

"I remember there was some talk that he wasn't going to hit past A-ball," Fuller told MLB.com in 2007. "But he always had a cannon for an arm in the infield."

Fuller spent 1991 and 1992 at single-A Cedar Rapids. He then made AA Chattanooga for 1993 and 1994. In late May 1994, Fuller picked up three hits and an RBI in a Chattanooga win. It was his final year in affiliated ball.

Fuller then moved into independent ball, playing 1995 with Sonoma County of the Western League. He hit .330 in 56 games. He stated with Sonoma County for 1996 and 1997, hitting .304 in 1997.

For 1998, Fuller signed with the Western League's Grays Harbor in his home state. Fuller and the rest of the team soon went on an extended road trip. The team played 62-straight road games.

That August, Fuller told The Associated Press about the hardships of such a road trip.

"My daughter keeps wondering where I'm at," Fuller told The AP. "She keeps saying, 'Are you going to be home in four days?' I just agree with her. She's only 4."

Fuller played one more season, with independent Chico, ending his career.

Fuller has since returned home to Washington State, founding the Gig Harbor Baseball and Sports Academy in 2005. He's also served as head coach of the Narrows Baseball Club, a program for players age 13 to 18.

• Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, Aug. 23, 1998: Minor League Baseball Team's Long and Winding Road Trip
• MLB.com, June 7, 2007: How Hoffman's career was saved
• Kitsap Sun, May 1, 2011: GH Baseball Academy Hones Skill and Confidence

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,500
Made the Majors: 747 - 49.8%
Never Made Majors: 753-50.2%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 325
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 193-X

1990 Burlington Braves player profiles, Atlanta Braves

Features on each member of the 1990 Burlington Braves, single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Players featured are as included in that year's team set. Click on the player's name to read more.

Interview (1)
1 - Walt Roy, Gung Ho
Walt Roy started packing his bags. He was a pro.

1990 Burlington Braves (31)

1 - Ozzie Apolinario helped fuel GCL win; Saw four pro seasons
2 - Tony Baldwin took opportunity of lifetime to 4 pro seasons
3 - Daryl Blanks played 3 pro seasons, later coached youth ball
4 - Pedro Borbon establish himself in bigs, returned from injury
5 - Tom Bruck amassed college record wins, saw two pro seasons
6 - Rod Byerly worked for performance team needed over 3 seasons
7 - Jeff Calderone played two seasons, later coached for Croatia
8 - Ramon Caraballo learned the language then saw 2 ML seasons
9 - Jeff Clark legged out single in GCL, saw high-A in 4 seasons
10 - Roberto DeLeon, Broken Finger
Roberto DeLeon made single-A playing baseball, broke his finger and ended his career playing basketball.
11 - Glen Gardner, Aggressive Hitter
Glen Gardner was a legend on the Rutgers field. He later returned to school as a coach and director. 
12 - Gil Garrido, Can't Wait
Gil Garrido got called and he was ready. He played in seven major league seasons, had a brief career as a coach.
13 - Tim Gillis, Got Two
Tim Gillis wanted at least one RBI. He got two, and won the game. Played five seasons, never made AAA.
14 - Scott Grove, Good Movement
Scott Grove got good movement on the ball. In six seasons, he never made the majors.
15 - Greg Harper, Two Runners
Caught two potential base stealers at single-A. Never made AA.
16 - Kevin Kelly, Costly Losses
Kevin Kelly picked up two losses for single-A Sumter in 1989. He played three seasons as a pro.
17 - Gene Lane, Good Health
Served as a trainer in both baseball and golf.
18 - Javy Lopez, Happiest Man
Javy Lopez was the 'happiest man' after a rookie home run. He hit 260 in his career with the Braves and Orioles.
19 - Dickey Marze, Pegged As
Dickey Marze played just two seasons as a pro. His son has bettered those numbers.
20 - Brent McCoy, Game MVP
Brent McCoy was the MVP of a rookie league game. He played four seasons as a pro, never made AA.

21 - Matt Murray, Just Incredible
Matt Murray came back after elbow surgery to make the majors for a total of six outings.
22 - Dave Reis, Bailed Out
Dave Reis got bailed out in rookie league game. He pitched three seasons as a pro.
23 - Paulo Reis hustled, scrapped over four pro seasons
24 - Darren Ritter, Didn't Relinquish
Darren Ritter got an early lead in rookie league game, held it. Played five seasons, never made AAA.
25 - Walter Roy, Rookie Roommate
Walter Roy helped his teammate and roommate Javy Lopez. Played just two seasons as pro.
26 - Jim Saul, Every Opportunity
Jim Saul knew his players came first. He had to give them chance to succeed or fail.
27 - Randy Simmons, One Night
Randy Simmons hit 13 home runs at single-A in 1989. Two of them came in one night.
28 - Steve Swail, Signed As
Steve Swail later signed free agents. Earlier, he was a free agent himself. Played six seasons, never made the bigs.
29 - Tony Valle, Hard Thrower
Tony Valle was a hard thrower, but he couldn't translate that to long career. Played two seasons.
30 - Eddie Watt, Played There
Eddie Watt almost quit before he made the bigs. Once he got there, he stayed for a decade.
31 - Phillip Wellman, Baseball Field
Phillip Wellman has spent three decades in the game. He gained notoriety for a single night as manager.

Greg Walker, Warm Ups - 712

Originally published April 21, 2010

Warming up before a game against the Angels Greg Walker caught the ball, but his attention was instantly drawn elsewhere.

There was something wrong with his hip. Quickly, his right leg was numb.

His first reaction that day, July 30, 1988, was that he'd had a heart attack. What it was, was a seizure the threatened his life, the first of two.

"A lot worse things happen to people," Walker told reporters a month after the incident, according to a wire account. "I feel lucky to be here."

It was the most serious of a series of problems for the White Sox everyday first basemen. He had broke his wrist in 1986, underwent surgeries in 1989 and 1990, according to The Los Angeles Times, and he'd had a bad shoulder since high school.

Then there were the seizures, determined to be caused by a viral infection, according to media accounts, an infection that was controlled through medication.

"I've had a lot of things go wrong," Walker told The Times in 1991. "I've had a lot of things go right, too."

Walker was originally taken by the Phillies in the 20th round of the 1977 draft. He was picked up by Chicago two years later. He made AA Glens Falls in 1981 and AAA Edmonton and then the majors in 1982.

By 1983, he was in Chicago to stay. The everyday first baseman hit 24 home runs in each of 1984 and 1985. He hit another 27 in 1987, batting .256. In 1988, Walker's production slowed, hitting eight home runs and hitting just .247.

The seizures kept him out until 1989. With the surgery, he played in only 77 games and hit .210. Two early games with Chicago in 1990 and the White Sox gave him his release, though he would return later in a different capacity.

Picked up by Baltimore, Walker went to AAA Rochester. Called back up to Baltimore in June, Walker played his final major league game July 1. He spoke to The Times in 1991 as he tried to make the Angels squad, an attempt that was ultimately unsuccessful.

Returning to the White Sox organization in 2002 as hitting coach for AAA Charlotte, Walker became the big club's hitting coach the next year. He has since moved to the Braves, continuing as Atlanta hitting coach for 2014.

• Palm Beach Post, Associated Press, Aug. 11, 1988: White Sox's Walker will come back
• Deseret News, wire account, Sept. 1, 1988: Walker may return to White Sox lineup
• Los Angeles Times, March 7, 1991: Fresh Chance, Fresh Outlook
• Chicago Sun Times, Oct. 28, 2009: Inside the White Sox

Tom Bruck amassed college record wins, saw two pro seasons

Tom Bruck had a successful season for the Temple Owls in 1989, counted among the team's pitching leaders.

He earned that talk by recording 10 wins on the season, still tied for most in a season in school history, according to Temple's 2013 Media Guide.

Bruck also sat down 8.92 batters per nine innings of work, striking out 93 in 94.1 innings of work. He posted a team-best 2.48 ERA and won conference Player of the Week honors twice.

Out of that season, Bruck signed with the Braves as an undrafted free agent. Bruck, though, couldn't go from that season to a long career. He played just two seasons, never making AA.

Bruck went to Temple out of Kingston High School in Kingston, NY. In June 1987, Bruck played for Kingston's entry in the Hudson Valley Rookie League, going six innings in a game and getting the win.

Bruck's pro career began that year in 1989, playing between the rookie Gulf Coast League and single-A Sumter. With the GCL Braves, Bruck struck out six in an August complete game win. Between the two levels, Bruck got into 14 games, starting six. His ERA came in at 2.59.

Bruck moved to single-A Burlington for 1990. He also started full-time. In 19 outings, 18 starts, Bruck went 9-6, with a 4.15 ERA. He picked up one of his wins in an April game, giving up three runs in six innings. Bruck didn't return for a third season.

• Temple University Baseball: 2013 Media Guide

More: The 1990 Burlington Braves

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,499
Made the Majors: 747 - 49.8%
Never Made Majors: 752-50.2%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 325
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 192

Roberto DeLeon, Broken Finger - 2351

Sumter Braves manager Ned Yost called on Roberto DeLeon this night in June 1989, but he didn't get much improvement.

Called in for starter Scott Grove, DeLeon went 1.1 innings, giving up three earned, according to The Sumter Item.

"DeLeon was getting the pitches up just like Grove," Yost told The Item. "Our relievers just haven't been doing the job lately."

DeLeon was in his first season as a pro that year for Sumter, and he ended up finishing the year with a respectable ERA of 3.22.

DeLeon, though, only saw time in two more seasons. His second season ended with an off-the-field injury suffered playing basketball with teammate and future major leaguer Javy Lopez. DeLeon got into only three more games after that.

DeLeon's career began in 1989, signed by the Braves as an undrafted free agent out of his native Dominican Republic.

With the Braves, DeLeon tried to focus on the game and he tried to do it despite a language barrier. He told The Item in August of the difficulty in simply ordering food.

"I felt weird because it was my first order in America," DeLeon told The Item. "I ordered a Big Mac, but it was hard to know what it was. I knew I ordered a hamburger, but I didn't know what was in it."

On the field, DeLeon went 2-4 over 34 outings, seven starts. In one late August game, DeLeon went six innings and didn't give up a run. He got a no-decision for his efforts.

DeLeon moved to single-A Burlington for 1990. In 26 relief outings, he picked up three wins, one save and an ERA of 2.45.

But, as Lopez told in his book "Behind the Plate," it was an injury that ended DeLeon's season. They were playing basketball and Lopez got a rebound. DeLeon tried for it, too, but Lopez, ball in-hand, swung his arms. The result was a DeLeon broken finger.

After they told Burlington manager Jim Saul a different story about how it happened, DeLeon went to the hospital.

"The bone was out of the skin. They had to perform surgery," Lopez wrote. "He never really could pitch again. I feel awful about that."

DeLeon returned to the mound for 1991, but it was a brief return. In three outings, 5.1 innings, at high-A Durham, he gave up three earned. They were the last outings of his career.

• Sumter Item, June 28, 1989: Pirates' explosion sinks Braves
• Sumter Item, Aug. 5, 1989: Latin players must overcome language barrier
• Behind the Plate, Javy Lopez with Gary Caruso, 2012: Chapter 3

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,498
Made the Majors: 747 - 49.9%
Never Made Majors: 751-50.1%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 325
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 192

(Texas) Mike Smith, Next Time Out - 702

Originally published Jan. 4, 2011

Texas Mike Smith made his major league debut for Baltimore in late June 1989 and it was a long debut. It was long, not in the number of outs he got, those numbered just four. It was long because of the number of runs he gave up: eight.

Orioles Manager Frank Robinson told The Associated Press after the game he felt bad about leaving Smith out there as long as he did. But he had to. His bullpen was already depleted.

"I feel bad about that," Robinson told The AP. "I hope he does better next time out."

Smith did a little better his next time out. He went four innings against the same Tigers he faced in his debut. This time, however, Smith only gave up two hits and no runs. He also got the win.

Smith went on to pitch in 13 games for the Orioles in 1989, pitching well in all but three outings. Smith would return to Baltimore for two more games in 1990, concluding his brief major league career.

Smith's professional career, however, would be far from over. Smith later hit the independent circuits, being credited with his final game as a player in 2006.

Taken in the fifth round of the 1984 draft by the Reds, Smith began his career with Cincinnati in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He first made AA Vermont in 1987, returning to AA for 1988. The second year, at Chattanooga, Smith went 9-10 with a 3.20 ERA. One of his losses came in a June 26 game at Charlotte.

He moved to the Orioles system for 1989, selected in the rule 5 draft. It was that next spring where Smith got his nickname, Texas.

The nickname came more out of necessity than anything. A native of San Antonio, Smith became one of two in Orioles camp with the same name: Michael Anthony Smith. The other Michael Anthony Smith, with a longer major league record, became Mississippi Mike Smith, for his state of origin.

The two Mike Smiths also played together at Rochester, often being put in the same room. "Saved a lot of trouble," Mississippi Mike Smith told The Pittsburgh Press in August 1989. "At least all of the phone calls went to the same room."

Texas Mike started the year at AAA Rochester after the Reds didn't reclaim him. He made Baltimore, in time for that disastrous debut June 30.

But, like Robinson had hoped, Smith came back in his second appearance and got his first win. He got his second win July 16 coming in in the 11th and facing two batters. On July 26, he struck out Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett. In his 13 outings for the Orioles that year, Smith finished with an ERA of 7.65.

In two September 1990 games, amounting to three innings, Smith gave up four earned runs, ending his major league career. His affiliated career ended, except for three games, after the next season, with the Brewers system at AA El Paso.

Those last affiliated games came four years later in 1995, at Cincinnati's AA team at Chattanooga. That spring, according to USA Today, Smith agreed to be a replacement player for the Reds.

Smith went on to play parts of 10 seasons in the independent leagues, at places like Abilene, Ozark and Alexandria. He pitched three complete games for Coastal Bend in 2004, one of those coming in a May game, he threw another one in June.

In July 2005 with Fort Worth, Smith won pitcher of the week honors with a seven-inning shutout. By then, Smith was in his eighth season in the league, becoming the all-time leader in wins with 79 and strikeouts with 1,082, according to Our Sports Central.

In 2006, Smith served as manager of the Laredo Broncos in United League Baseball. He finished the season at Alexandria as pitching coach and player. His games with Alexandria in 2006 were the final credited contests of his career.

• Albany Herald, Associated Press, July 1, 1989: Orioles Balloon on Verge of Deflating?
• Milwaukee Sentinel, Associated Press, July 4, 1989: Orioles pummel Tigers
• Pittsburgh Press, Aug. 4, 1989: Mississippi Mike makes his mark
• OurSportsCentral.com, July 18, 2005: Central League names players of the week

Dave Reis played in three pro seasons, two at single-A Burlington; Didn't make it higher

Dave Reis didn't pitch well this August 1988 night for the rookie Pulaski Braves, but his team pulled out the win, according to The Pulaski Southwest Times.

Reis went five innings for Pulaski, giving up five runs. Four of those runs were earned. He also gave up four hits, struck out one and walked two, The Southwest Times wrote.

It was a late Pulaski surge that bailed Reis and the Braves out, Pulaski winning going away.

Reis was in his first season as a pro that year. He only got two more. He also never made AA.

Reis' career began that year in 1988, signed by the Braves as an undrafted free agent out of Stanford University.

With the Braves, Reis started at Pulaski. He got 13 outings, 12 of them starts. He went 2-5, ending with a 4.97 ERA.

Reis moved to single-A Burlington in 1989. He also moved to the bullpen. In 34 total outings, he got eight starts. He went 7-5, with a 3.32 ERA. He also saved one.

For 1990, Reis returned to Burlington, but took on a new role. He turned closer. In 44 total relief outings, Reis picked up 17 saves, with a won-loss record of 5-7. His ERA came in at a steady 3.38, but it was his final year as a pro.

• Pulaski Southwest Times, Aug. 7, 1988: Braves on warpath, rally in bottom of 8th

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,497
Made the Majors: 747 - 49.9%
Never Made Majors: 750-50.1%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 325
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 192

Darren Ritter, Didn't Relinquish - 2348

Given a lead in this June 1989 game, Darren Ritter did his best not to relinquish it.

Pitching for the rookie Pulaski Braves, Ritter gave up just one hit over the first five innings, taking the Braves to a 6-3 victory, according to The Pulaski Southwest Times.

Ritter was in his first season as a pro that year with Pulaski. He went on to play in four more, but he never saw time above AA.

Ritter's career began that year, taken by the Braves in the 19th round of the draft, out of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

At UMBC, Ritter struck out better than seven batters per nine innings. In 1989, he struck out 62.

With the Braves, Ritter started at rookie Pulaski. he went 6-5, with a 3.62 ERA over 13 starts. He moved to single-A Burlington in 1990, where he went 6-10 in 25 starts.

Ritter played 1991 between single-A Macon and high-A Durham. He also played the season as a reliever. In 40 total relief outings, his ERA came in at 2.75. He also saved three games. In one April game for Macon, Ritter went 1.1 innings, giving up two hits and an unearned run.

Ritter returned to Durham for 1992, but he was back to starting. He went 10-8 over 26 starts. His ERA was 3.48.

Ritter's final season came in 1993, promoted to AA Greenville. In 35 outings, three starts, Ritter went 4-6, picked up three saves and had an ERA of 6.06. It was his final season as a pro.

• Pulaski Southwest Times, June 25, 1989: P-Brave pitchers throttle Phils, 6-3

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,496
Made the Majors: 747 - 49.9%
Never Made Majors: 749-50.1%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 325
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 192

Rob Woodward, Did Return - 703

Originally published July 9, 2011
Tom Seaver became a member of the Boston Red Sox in June 1986 and somebody had to go. That somebody was Rob Woodward.

It was a move that saw Seaver, the future Hall of Famer, catch up with the young pitcher he displaced.

"Best of luck," Seaver told Woodward, according to The Providence Journal. "You'll be back."

Only a few days later, Woodward did return, continuing his second major league season. He ended up getting nine appearances that season. He ended up playing parts of four major league seasons, all with the Red Sox.

Woodward's career began in 1981, taken by the Red Sox in the third round of the draft out of Lebanon High School in Lebanon, N.H. Woodward played that year at short-season Elmira, going 4-3 with a 3.39 ERA. He made single-A Winter Haven in 1982, then AA New Britain in 1984.

It was in spring 1984 that Woodward made his first spring training. Speaking to The Patriot Ledger News Service, Woodward told of his first spring training pitch like it was a first major league pitch.

"I couldn't wait to throw it," Woodward told the news service March 12. "I found out I'd see a little action today, and I was nervous in anticipation."

At New Britain that year, Woodward went 10-12, with a 3.96 ERA. He split 1985 between New Britain and AAA Pawtucket. He also hit Boston.

Woodward made the big club as a September call-up. In five appearances, Woodward went 1-0, with a 1.69 ERA. His first start came Sept. 29. That was his win.

"He had command of his repertoire," Red Sox manager John McNamara told the news service after Woodward's win. "He battled hitters very well. It was an excellent showing."

Going into 1986, Woodward was looking to continue is success of the previous September. He also spoke in February of his debut Sept. 6. It came at 1:42 a.m., after a rain delay.

"Sure, I was excited," Woodward told The Associated Press. "It was a strange hour. The weather was miserable. We were losing. But, heck, I didn't care. It was the major leagues, a dream come true."

Woodward got into nine games, six of them starts, for the Red Sox in 1986. He went 2-3, with a 5.30 ERA. Woodward played the rest of the season at Pawtucket, posting a scoreless innings streak at one point of 27.2 innings.

His numbers were similar in 1987, if a little worse. In the same number of outings and starts, Woodward went 1-1, with a 7.05 ERA. Woodward had looked for a regular role with the Red Sox in 1987. Going into the year he told The AP he felt more confident.

"I feel sharper and I have more confidence this year," Woodward told The AP in March. "If you haven't got the confidence in what you're throwing, you're gonna get hurt."

Woodward's time left in the majors, though, was limited. After 1987, it was down to a single game.

The 1987 season over, Woodward began to lose weight. He also suffered blurred vision, The Hartford Courant wrote. The diagnosis was juvenile diabetes.

By May, he was pitching normally. But he didn't get back to Boston until September then, for only that single, last game. He pitched 2/3 of an inning Sept. 26 and gave up an eared run.

In spring training 1989, the starter-turned-reliever had the best ERA of the spring, 0.00, The AP wrote. But he was sent back to Pawtucket, where he would spend the year.

"I've just tried to work hard and show people what I can do," Woodward told The AP in late March. "I just have to be ready when an opportunity comes."

The opportunity didn't come again. Woodward signed with Baltimore for 1990, playing that year and the next at AAA Rochester. His career ended, without getting back to the majors.

• Lewiston Daily Sun, Patriot Ledger News Service, March 13, 1984: Sox Camp Looking Brighter
• Nashua Telegraph, Patriot Ledger News Service, Sept. 30, 1985: Woodward wins 1st start
• Lewiston Daily Sun, Associated Press, Feb. 28, 1986: Woodward hopes dream continues
• Miami News, Providence Journal, July 1, 1986: Season's greetings, from the Red Sox
• Lewiston Daily Sun, Associated Press, March 13, 1987: Schiraldi saves one for Red Sox
• Schenectady Gazette, Hartford Courant, May 19, 1988: Woodward Adjusting, Both on Field and Off
• Meriden Record-Journal, Associated Press, March 27, 1989: Back to the farm

Eddie Watt, Played There - 2367

Early arm problems slowed Eddie Watt's trip through the minors. They even got him thinking about quitting, he told The Associated Press in 1966.

Once he got beyond them, though, he excelled. And he did it in the bigs.

"It's tough to jump to any conclusions," Watt told The AP that August. "A half year is a long way from being successful, but in my own mind I think I can play here."

Watt ended up playing there for a decade. Watt spent eight of his 10 seasons with the Orioles, helping his team to the World Series four times as one of the club's top relievers.

Once his playing career was over, Watt then went on to a career as a coach and manager in the minors. In that career, he worked to help other players on to play in the bigs.

Watt's career in baseball began in 1961, signed by the Orioles as an amateur free agent out of the University of Northern Iowa. He went to Northern Iowa out of Iowa City High School.

Watt's time in the minors focused on starting. His first year came in 1962 at Class D Appleton. He went 11-11 over 22 starts, with a 2.19 ERA. In 23 1964 starts between single-A Aberdeen and AA Elmira, Watt went 17-2.

He then made Baltimore out of spring training 1966 and didn't look back. He got 43 outings, 13 starts in 1966, going 9-7, with a 3.83 ERA. He never started a game again. He also didn't have a final ERA over 3 again until 1970.

In 1969, Watt got into 56 games for the Orioles, saving 16 of them and ending with an ERA of 1.65. He also got his first World Series time that year. He gave up one earned run in three innings, but got the loss in the deciding Game 5.

Watt turned in a 53-outing, 3.25-ERA performance in 1970. But in Game 4 of the World Series, Watt blew a save, leading to the Orioles only loss of the series.

Despite continuing to pitch well over the next three seasons, Watt ended up being regularly booed in Baltimore, according to The AP.

Watt played his final two seasons with the Phillies and the Cubs. Over his 10 seasons, he got into 411 games, saved 80 games and had a career ERA of 2.91.

In spring 1974, Watt told The AP about his satisfaction at being a reliever.

"I never want to start the rest of my pitching life," Watt told The AP. "I'm happy in the bullpen. It's the only place I pitch. I'm physically and emotionally made up for relieving."

Watt started his coaching career by 1978, managing high-A Reno. He moved to AA Amarillo in 1980. In 1990, he served as pitching coach at single-A Burlington. He's last recorded as working as pitching coach in 1999 in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He never made the majors as a coach.

In 1982, as a minor league coach for the Phillies, Watt told The Bend Bulletin his intentions.

"I want to stay in baseball and I've wanted to stay in baseball since I signed my first contract in 1961," Watt told The Bulletin. "I like working with the young people when you can watch them advance week-by-week, as players, as professionals, as human beings."

• Miami News, Associated Press, Aug. 23, 1966: Eddie Watt Convinces His Critics
• Lawrence Journal-World, Associated Press, May 8, 1972: Watt No Hero To Birds' Fans
• Reading Eagle, Associated Press, March 24, 1974: Watt Awaits New Life As Phils' Reliever
• Bend Bulletin, July 1, 1982: A bit of history

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,495
Made the Majors: 747 - 50.0%
Never Made Majors: 748-50.0%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 325
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 192

Gil Garrido, Can't Wait - 2366

Gil Garrido first made the majors in his fifth pro season. He didn't get another to his ninth. By the time his career was over, Garrido had seen time in six major league seasons.

In spring 1972, Garrido told The Palm Beach Post about his efforts to get there, and stay there.

"When they call you, you've got to be ready," Garrido told The Post. "You've got to take advantage when you get the chance. I work in every position to stay in shape. When you come in off the bench, you've got to do the job. You can't wait for tomorrow."

Garrido spoke to The Post as he prepared for the 1972 season, and his sixth season in the bigs. He played just one more season as a pro. Later, he had a brief career as a coach and scout.

Garrido's career began in 1960, signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent out of his native Panama.

With the Giants, Garrido started at Class-D Artesia and Class-C Fresno. In 1961, he made AAA Tacoma. He nit .247 that year and the next. He played at Tacoma almost exclusively through 1965.

Garrido got his first look at the majors in 1964, 14 games in San Francisco. He picked up two hits in 25 at bats.

Garrido moved to the Braves in a 1966 trade. He then returned to the majors in 1968, getting 18 games with Atlanta. In 1969, Garrido got into 82 games.

In 1970, he got into 101 games. He also hit .264, with one home run and 19 RBI. He hit that home run in a May game, a two-run shot.

"I hit it pretty good but I wasn't sure it was out," Garrido told The Associated Press. "When I got to the dugout, everybody was laughing. They told me they were going to faint."

That home run ended up being his only home run in the majors.

Garrido returned to the Braves for 79 games in 1971, hitting .216. He then played one more season in 1972, with 40 final games and a .267 average.

Garrido's career then ended in 1973, with a season at AAA Richmond. Years later, he served as a coach for the single-A Burlington Braves in 1990, but never made the bigs as a coach. He has also been credited as being a scout.

• Gadsden Times, Associated Press, May 27, 1970: Gil Garrido Rips First Big Homer
• Palm Beach Post, March 9, 1972: Patience Pays Off for Atlanta's Gil Garrido

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,494
Made the Majors: 747 - 50.0%
Never Made Majors: 747-50.0%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 325
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 192

Jose Ramos, Big Positive - 146

Originally published Dec. 13, 2010

The Omaha Royals had the tying run on in the ninth inning of a late May 1990 game. Coming in to face a hot Royals hitter was Toledo left hander Jose Ramos, The Toledo Blade wrote.

Ramos soon induced a ground out, ending the game and getting his first save at AAA, The Blade wrote.

"That was a big positive," Mud Hens Manager Tom Gamboa told The Blade afterward of Ramos' performance. "That had to help (Ramos') confidence, too."

Ramos made AAA Toledo in 1990, in his fourth season as a professional. He would play two more seasons, but never make it higher.

Ramos originally signed with the Tigers for 1987, out of his native Venezuela. He split his first season between short-season Batavia and single-A Fayetteville.

In 19 appearances at Batavia, Ramos posted a 2.95 ERA, four wins and two saves. At Fayetteville, his ERA increased to 4.05.

Ramos returned to Fayetteville for 1988, going 5-5 in 46 relief appearances. He also had an ERA of 3.74. In one May appearance, Ramos didn't do what he set out to do. He came in and quickly gave up a three-run home run, The Sumter Item wrote.

Ramos played 1989 at AA London, getting 33 relief appearances and getting an ERA of 4.36. The next spring, Ramos found himself in camp with the Tigers. He also won his promotion to AAA Toledo. In 31 appearances for the Mud Hens, Ramos posted an ERA of 4.22. He also had just that one save.

In two more seasons, Ramos never got back to Toledo. He split 1991 between AA London and high-A Lakeland. He returned to London for 1992, playing 16 games, his final credited games as a professional.

• Sumter Item, May 19, 1988: Braves extend winning streak to 4 with sweep
• Toledo Blade, June 1, 1990: Aldred baffles Omaha, Lideman provides punch in Hens' win

Brent McCoy, Game MVP - 2358

Brent McCoy was described as the MVP of the game.

In one of the first games of the year, the Pulaski Brave reached base four times, scored twice and scored three times, all in a Pulaski win, according to the Pulaski Southwest Times.

McCoy was starting his second professional season that year, his second at Pulski. He went on to play in two more, but he never made AA.

McCoy's career began in 1988, taken by the Braves in the 51st round, out of Howard University.

At Howard, McCoy shined in a February 1988 contest against North Carolina A&T. He drove in three runs in the 10-0 Howard win.

With the Braves, McCoy started at rookie Pulaski. In 21 games, he hit .283. He then returned there for 1989 and 63 games. He hit .316 that second year, while stealing 17.

McCoy moved to single-A Burlington in 1990, keeping his average above .300. He ended with a .304 average, five home runs and 71 RBI. He also had another 17 stolen bases.

For 1991, McCoy arrived at high-A Durham. He hit .247 over 92 games. He also knocked in just 27, while stealing only six bases. It was his final year as a pro.

McCoy later returned to his native North Carolina, where an autograph collector caught up with him in 2013.

• Pulaski Southwest Times, June 25, 1989: P-Braves

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,493
Made the Majors: 747 - 50.0%
Never Made Majors: 746-50.0%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 325
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 192

Jim Saul, Every Opportunity - 2365

Jim Saul spent much of his career in the low minors, both as a player and as a manager.

In 1997, as he started another year as manager of the short-season Eugene Emeralds, Saul explained to The Eugene Register-Guard his philosophy as manager.

"As a manager at this level, the players always come first," Saul told The Register-Guard. "You give 'em every opportunity to do it or not to do it."

Saul also brought with him the experience that comes with decades in the game. By the time he was done, the number of decades in baseball behind Saul numbered five.

Saul's long career began in 1959, signed by the Cardinals out of his native Virginia.

Saul the player started at Class-D Wytheville and Daytona Beach. He also played briefly at AA Tulsa. He then moved to Class-D Keokuk for 1960 and made it to AAA for 50 games in 1961.

Saul continued as a player through 1972. He ended up getting time in 14 professional seasons, more than 1,000 individual games. Along the way, he was traded for major leaguer Bob Skinner.

In 11 of those seasons, Saul saw time at AAA. But he never saw time in the majors.

By 1973, Saul was a minor league manager, leading single-A Salinas. He stayed there for two seasons. He then made it up to the majors, going directly to Chicago as bullpen coach. Saul had played three of his seasons in the Cubs system.

Saul stayed in Chicago for two seasons. He also later returned to the majors in in 1979, as an assistant coach for the Athletics. Otherwise, Saul returned to the minors.

In 1986, Saul became manager at AA Albany-Colonie. By then, Albany-Colonie was his eighth stop as a manager, according to The Schenectady Gazette.

As he started his stint at Albany, Saul told The Gazette his job was about instruction.

"Any time during the baseball season, a manager has got to put a player in a pressure situation and let him handle it," Saul told The Gazette. "I've got to let them prove that they can handle it because in the majors, it's asked of you every day."

By 1989, Saul was back in single-A, leading the Burlington Braves. In 1991, he moved back to rookie ball and the Gulf Coast League. He stayed at rookie or short-season until his last recorded season, 2009.

In 2008, as he served as hitting coach at rookie Bluefield, Saul told MiLB.com why he was still in the game, then in his 49th season.

"I still enjoy it. I love working with kids and helping them get a little bit better," Saul told MiLB.com. "I just love the game because it's challenging, it keeps me young and alert and health-wise, I think it's good for me."

• Schenectady Gazette, Feb. 13, 1986: Monbouquette Returns to Area as Yank
• Eugene Register-Guard, June 11, 1997: Saul's low-key style returns to Eugene, Part 2
• MiLB.com, July 10, 2008: Saul savors moments on the field

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,492
Made the Majors: 747 - 50.1%-X
Never Made Majors: 745-49.9%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 325
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 192