Matt Witkowski helped his short-season team in playoff run; Played eight seasons, made AAA

A trip to the league championship series was on the line. Matt Witkowski just needed to score.

Tied at one in the tenth, Witkowski was put in to pinch run. A bad hop on the poor Boise field and Witkowski came around to score.

"That's the breaks," Spokane second baseman Scott Bigham told The Spokesman-Review. "Anything can happen on this field."

What happened to Witkowski was he got to play in eight seasons as a pro. He made AAA in two seasons. He never made the majors.

Witkowski's career began that year in 1988, taken by the Padres in the ninth round of the draft out of Deer Valley High School in Arizona.

He played much of his first season in the rookie Arizona League, getting up to Spokane at the end. He moved to single-A Charleston for 1989. He hit .283 there, with 26 stolen bases. He tried to stretch a single into a double, but got thrown out on a bad bounce.

Witkowski played at single-A Waterloo for 1990. He hit .253 in 128 games. He had 55 RBI, two of them on a June single against Cedar Rapids.

He made high-A High Desert in 1991, then AA Wichita in 1992. At Wichita, Witkowski hit .271. He also got five games at AAA Las Vegas.

Witkowski played all of 1993 back at Las Vegas. He hit .283, but he didn't get a look at San Diego. He also returned to Wichita for 1994. At Wichita, Witkowski achieved the rare feat of playing all nine positions in one game.

Witkowski played only one more season as a pro. He got 17 games with the Giants in 1995 at AA Shreveport, ending his career.

• Spokane Spokesman-Review, Sept. 2, 1988: Tribe wins division, faces Medford for title, Part 2

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,681
Made the Majors: 812 - 48.3%
Never Made Majors: 869-51.7%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 353
10+ Seasons in the Minors:205

Dave Engle, Best Shot - 435

In some ways, Dave Engle's youth was a typical one. His family would pile into a trailer for the summer and see the United States.

In other ways, Engle's youth wasn't a typical youth wasn't so typical. Engles' father grew up in San Diego with one Ted Williams. The family's ultimate destination on those yearly trips was Massachusetts and Ted Williams' baseball school, The Toledo Blade wrote in 1984.

"Ted was there the whole summer when I was younger," Engle, in his fourth big-league season, told The Blade. "I learned a lot from Ted. I'm still learning from him. He's like a second father."

Engle spoke to The Blade then in his fourth season in the majors. He went on to play in a total of nine seasons, playing later with the Tigers, Expos and Brewers.

Engle's career began in 1978, taken by the Angels in the third round of the draft out of the University of Southern California.

Engle's stay with the Angels lasted just one season. He was sent to the Twins with three others for 1979 in exchange for Rod Carew.

He then moved directly to AAA Toledo, hitting .287 that year and .307 the next. He made his major league debut in April 1981.

Engle started as a right fielder, playing in the old Metropolitan Stadium. He hit .258 in 82 games. He started 1982 with the team in the new Metrodome. He hit the first home run there. But an eye injury he suffered as a child was credited with giving him trouble catching balls against the Metrodome roof.

Those difficulties led to him being moved to catcher for 1983, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune wrote later. He made the All-Star team in 1984. But he also eventually had problems with throwing back to the mound. In one spring game, he missed the pitcher six times.

Traded to the Tigers for 1986, Engle tried his hand at first base.

"It's a little easier on the body than catching," Engle told The Associated Press that June.

Engle got into just 35 games for the Tigers that year. He then got 59 with the Expos in 1987 and 34 there in 1988. His final 27 games came in 1989 with Milwaukee.

Before joining Milwaukee, Engle thought about going into coaching, he told The Blade. Then he got some offers to play.

"When they finally throw me out for the last time, I want to say I gave it my best shot," Engle told The Blade that April. "I'm really kind of smelling the roses because I know it's going to end."

Engle finished out his playing career with 16 games at AAA Oklahoma City in 1990 and one at Tucson in 1991.

By 1995, he was a manager in the minors at high-A Kissimmee. For 1998, he was bullpen coach for the Astros in Houston. Then, in 2001 and 2002, he served as hitting coach for the Mets.

• Toledo Blade, July 3, 1984: Engle Honed Batting Eye Under Williams' Tutelage
• Ludington Daily News, June 27, 1986: Engle likes life at 1st  
• Toledo Blade, April 9, 1989: Engle's rare home run burns Tanana, Tigers

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,680
Made the Majors: 812 - 48.3%-X
Never Made Majors: 868-51.7%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 353-X
10+ Seasons in the Minors:205

Jim Steels, Just Glad - 306

Originally published Jan. 20, 2012

As his major league debut approached, Jim Steels told The Los Angeles Times he was just glad to be there.

He was also just trying to figure out what he should do when he finally got his first major league at bat, he told The Times in April 1987.

"Should I bunt or swing for the downs?" Steels asked The Times. "I don't want to strike out, of course, but--shoot--I just hope I can walk to the plate without dropping my bat."

Steels ended up doing what he didn't want to do: strikeout. He had to wait two more days for his first big league hit.

For Steels, though, big league hits would be hard to come by. In three seasons with time in the majors, Steels got just 24 hits in 133 total at bats.

Steels' career began back in 1979, taken by the Padres in the 8th round of the draft out of Santa Maria High in California.

He played that first year in 1980 at single-A Reno, hitting .302. He moved to AA Amarillo for 1981 then AAA Hawaii in 1982.

But Steels couldn't make that last jump to the majors until five years later. He played 1985 and 1986 completely at AAA Las Vegas.

Steels missed out on a call-up in September 1986, The Times wrote. But, going into 187, he had a chance to make the team. Steels didn't care how.

"I like playing center field," Steels told The Times. "It's easier than playing the corners because you can get a read on balls. I wouldn't mind playing left or right, though. I'll play anywhere to make the team."

Steels did make the team, getting into 62 games, but hitting only.191. In mid-April, Steels didn't need a hit, he just needed a walk. He drew that walk, with the bases loaded, tying the game.

Coming back for 1988, with the Rangers, Steels got into 36 games, hitting just .189. He did pick up three RBIs in one May game. For 1989, Steels signed with the Giants, getting into 13 games.

Going into 1990, Steels was with the Expos, looking for another stint in the bigs. But it got off to a disappointing start, according to his teammate that year at AAA Indianapolis, Steve Fireovid, wrote that an Expos coach who should have known Steels got his first name wrong, calling him Walter, after he wasn't invited to big league camp.

"We joke about it, but it has to hurt James some," Fireovid wrote in his book "The 26th Man," "He's working as hard as any of the millionaires, and he's an unknown, literally. Walter Steels. That stinks."

Steels played just 71 games at Indianapolis in 1990, without seeing Montreal, ending his career.

• Los Angeles Times, March 7, 1987: Steels Hits Game-Winner, Stakes Claim With Padres
• Los Angeles Times, April 6, 1987: Opening Day Arrives for Padre Rookies
• The 26th Man: One Minor League Pitcher's Pursuit of a Dream: Page 33

Juan Castillo worked to be ready over 4 majors seasons

Juan Castillo was just happy to contribute to a win, he told The Associated Press after this April 1987 contest, instead of just shaking hands when the game was done.

He contributed by hitting his first major league home run and hitting an important early single, The AP wrote.

"I found out yesterday I was starting today," Castillo told The AP. "I was happy. I just want to be ready whenever they need me."

Castillo ended up being ready for the Brewers that entire season. He got into 116 games for Milwaukee. By the time he was done, he'd seen time in four major league seasons. He then is credited with continuing his career in Mexico.

Castillo's career began in 1979, signed by the Brewers as a free agent out of his native Dominican Republic.

He hit the field in 1980, playing between rookie Butte and single-A Burlington. He returned to Burlington for 1981.

Castillo made AA El Paso in 1983, hitting .271 on the year. He got his first look at AAA in 1984, eight games, then played there full time in 1985.

His major league debut came in April 1986. He got into 26 games that year for Milwaukee, hitting .167. He then returned to the club for all of 1987, hitting .224 on the year with three home runs.

Going into 1988, The Milwaukee Sentinel wrote that he was slated to be a main fill-in for the team, both in the infield and outfield.

"I feel more comfortable here now," Castillo told The Sentinel. "I have played a full year in the big leagues now and I know I can play here."

Castillo ended up playing in 54 games for the Brewers that year, hitting .222. Castillo's 1989 season was abbreviated, just 16 games spent between Milwaukee and AAA Vancouver. Three of those were in the majors. They were his last.

He moved to the Indians and AAA Colorado Springs for 1990. He didn't see Cleveland. His final games in the minors came in 1991, 13 games back with the Brewers at AAA Denver.

Castillo then is credited with continuing playing in Mexico. He is last listed as playing in 1998, with Oaxaca.

• Spokane Spokesman-Review, Associated Press, April 27, 1987: Castillo's first homer helps Brewers to win
• Milwaukee Sentinel, March 17, 1988: Castillo's always on time to fill in

More: The 1990 Colorado Springs Sky Sox

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,679
Made the Majors: 811 - 48.3%-X
Never Made Majors: 868-51.7%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 352
10+ Seasons in the Minors:205

Tim Johnson, Motivational Stories - 307

Originally published Oct. 1, 2010

Meeting with his players in late May 1990, Indianapolis Indians manager Tim Johnson tried to get them to relax. Everyone took the game too seriously sometimes, he told them, according to the book The 26th Man, pitcher Steve Fireovid's diary account of the 1990 Indianapolis season.

Baseball players put too much pressure on themselves, Johnson told his players, according to the account published in 1996.

"Pressure was in Vietnam," Johnson told his players in part of his speech, "where my life depended on the man next to me. Baseball's not as important as we make it out to be. ... This is just a game, and it's the greatest game in the world, so have fun playing it. If we can't have fun, what's the sense of being here?"

The speech Fireovid wrote in his diary entry was exactly what the players needed to hear they won that night 4-2, a rarity in a down season. It worked, Fireovid wrote, because it focused the team on a proper perspective, rather than burying them with problems they already knew they had.

But there was a problem with the speech, a problem that wasn't fully known until late 1998 after Johnson's managing career progressed to the point where he became a manager in the major leagues, with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Johnson frequently used stories about his service in Vietnam in an attempt to inspire his players. He did so with Indianapolis and he did the same as manager for the Blue Jays.

The problem was, Johnson never served in Vietnam. He served in the Marine Corps reserves, teaching troops going to Vietnam. But he never fought in the war, according to press accounts.

Exposed, Johnson faced the media that December. He felt guilt, he told the reporters, that he was playing baseball while others fought and died.

"It was a tremendous weight off my shoulders," Johnson told reporters. "We've all done things in life that we wish we didn't.

"The toughest part is over," Johnson was quoted as saying. "Now, it's going on with life and trying to have a good season. Credibility to me is going out there and having players play hard for me. I know they will."

But Johnson would never have major league players play for him again. The Blue Jays fired him before spring training was out. He's also so far not returned to affiliated baseball, continuing work but with independent teams.

Johnson's managing career began after spending parts of seven seasons in the majors from 1973 to 1979, mostly with Milwaukee but with some time in Toronto. That was after spending 1968 to 1972 in the minors with the Dodgers system, never playing fewer than 92 games.

His playing career finished, Johnson got his first managing job in rookie league Great Falls, with the Dodgers. He made single-A Bakersfield in 1989, then jumped to the Montreal system and AAA Indianapolis in 1990.

It was there that Fireovid portrayed his manager as fiery, but caring of his players. In the down season, one where the Indians finished 61-85, Johnson twice went on tirades in the clubhouse, according to Fireovid's account. Once, about a week before the Vietnam speech, Johnson yelled at his players for playing bad baseball. He also grabbed a platter of french fries and threw them.

Then, after a bad early July loss, Johnson called his team an embarrassment. "I'm not going to put up with this anymore!" he yelled, according to Fireovid's account. He then threw a laundry cart against the wall.

After Indianapolis, Johnson went on to become a bench coach with the Expos in Montreal and then with the Red Sox. In 1997, he led the Iowa Cubs to a division win. Then the Blue Jays called.

"The key here is that he's going to connect and communicate with his players,'' Toronto General Manager Gord Ash told reporters of the managerial selection.

With the Blue Jays in 1998, Johnson led the team to a 88-74 record and a third place finish. But Johnson couldn't overcome the revelations about Vietnam.

By spring training, the questions still dogged him. It became too much of a distraction for the Blue Jays, according to The New York Times. There were also allegations that me made up being offered a basketball scholarship from UCLA, The Times wrote.

''I think he tried to get things settled,'' the GM Ash told The Times after Johnson was terminated, ''but there continued to be an unsettled feeling in camp, a distracted feeling that interfered with players getting the job done on the field. My intuition told me if not now, it would happen 30 or 45 days from now. I couldn't risk the season.''

Johnson soon returned to baseball, but in the Mexican League. He was credited with managing there for four seasons, then returning stateside to manage in the independent Northern League. This past season, Johnson managed in Tucson, of the independent Golden Baseball League.

But in 2003, Johnson was interviewed by The Kansas City Star, as manager of the Northern League's Lincoln Salt Dogs. It was a long way from his summer in Toronto.

"I'm trying to go on," he told The Star. "It's so hard. When is enough enough?"

• The 26th Man: One Minor League Pitcher's Pursuit of A Dream, 1996, Steve Fireovid: Pages 81-82; 78; 134
• Orlando Sentinel, Nov. 25, 1997: Jays Give Tim Johnson Chance In The Majors
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Dec. 15, 1998: Blue Jays' Johnson faces media after Vietnam lies
• New York Times, March 18, 1999: False War Tales Lead Jays to Drop Johnson
• Chicago Tribune, Kansas City Star, Aug. 4, 2003: Ex-Toronto manager pays for living a lie

Interview Part 3: Kelvin Torve, To Contribute

Shea Stadium in 2004. Kelvin Torve played at Shea for the Mets in 1990 and 1991. (G21D Photo)

Part 1: Worked Harder | Part 2: Right Spot
Part 3: To Contribute

Kelvin Torve ended up in the right spot for a second time in August 1990.

After debuting in the majors in 1988 with the Twins after an injury there, Torve got his second call to the bigs in early August 1990 with the Mets as another injury fill-in.

He ended up staying in Queens through the end of the month. He also got some key hits. In his second game, Torve knocked a two-run, pinch-hit double that proved the difference against the Phillies.

"That was much more fun being able to contribute for the Mets," Torve said.

"I was just swinging a good bat," Torve said. "Against the Phillies I had a base hit, against the Dodgers I had a couple-three hits. I just got off to a good start, which definitely helped in them keeping me."

With four appearances at the end of the year, the 30-year-old Torve got into a total of 20 games for the Mets. He hit .289.

He ended up getting into 10 more for the Mets the next year, then rounded out his career with two seasons in Japan.

New York Met Eric Young Jr., batting at Olympic Stadium in Montreal in March 2014. Kelvin Torve batted for the Mets twice there, once in 1990 and once in 1991. (G21D Photo)

Torve spoke with The Greatest 21 Days by phone recently from North Carolina, where he now works as a development director at a classical Christian school. He is also the father of two and husband of nearly 30 years to his wife Tonya.

Torve covered his start as a youth in Rapid City, S.D., where he played American Legion ball, to Oklahoma and Oral Roberts University, where he played his college ball. From there came his selection by the Giants in the second round and his trek through the minors to, finally, the majors and then Japan.

Torve returned to the Mets for 10 games in 1991, but those games didn't turn out as well for him. In eight at bats, he didn't get a hit.

But, by then, he'd tallied major league time in three seasons. It was limited, but it caught the eye of the Orix Blue Wave in Japan. They had a limited budget were looking for a minor league guy with big league experience. Torve seemed to fit the bill, he recalled.

"That's how I got over there, they needed a first baseman and I was in their budget," Torve said. "It worked out well."

Once they expressed interest, Torve said he didn't hesitate. He accepted, even though it meant taking him away from another shot at the majors, he said.

The Mets batting at Olympic Stadium in Montreal in March 2014. Kelvin Torve got an at bat there with the Mets in September 1990. (G21D Photo)

"It was an easy decision to make," Torve said, "because in Japan, they paid almost big league money. I knew it wsa going to be a crap shoot if I was going to make it to the big leagues again. Once I heard Japan was interested, I was going over there, if at all possible."

So, with his wife and their then-4-month-old daughter Tatum, they headed to Japan.

At first, it didn't go well on the field, Torve recalled. He played poorly in the first half, so poorly he thought he might be released. In the second half, though, he picked it up. He recalled being one of the best hitters in the league.

"I tore it up in the second half of the year," Torve said. "I ended up having a good year, but it was like having two different years in one year."

In all that first year, Torve hit .305 for Orix in 96 games. He also hit 11 home runs and knocked in 58.

Preparing Torve for the trip, he said, were two winters spent in winter ball.

"Going over there is fraught with challenge," Torve said. "You have to realize why you're there. You're there to play baseball. You go to the park, do your job and you play the game the way they want it to be played.

"If you adjust your mind to that," he said, "you're fine."

Players have to know they'll get bored. They're going to get tired.

"If you don't reconcile that in your mind before you go, you're going to be in trouble," Torve said. He added later, "you just kind of put the blinders on and you get it done."

He returned for a second year at Orix and he again started poorly. This time, though, he couldn't turn it around. He hit just .232 on the season and he wasn't re-signed.

The Cubs playing at Dodger Stadium in 2012. Kelvin Torve played at Dodger Stadium with the Mets in 1990. (G21D Photo)

His playing days over, Torve got a job in packaging sales. He did that for 17 years before signing on with Covenant Classical School in North Carolina as development director. He works to fund raise, market and build the school's brand in the community.

"I absolutely love it," Torve said of his current job. "It's a calling and a passion to work for the school.

He also does some coaching. He coached both his children, daughter Tatum, now 23, and son Logan, now 19. He's also does hitting and general baseball lessons at a local facility.

The farther away it gets from his career, the less his players know, he said. But they usually know his resume and he believes that gives him some credibility.

That career ended in November 1993, after his return from Japan. He recalled calling his agent, wanting to know about returning stateside. Were there any jobs available?

His agent checked and got back to him: The only jobs for Torve would be as an insurance policy somewhere. Torve declined.

"I was done playing," Torve said. "Mentally, I was just ready to hang it up. I had played 13 years and I was ready to get it over with, ready to quit and move on."

He quit on his own terms. "Ninety-nine percent of guys don't quit on their own terms," Torve said. "I'm grateful to be able to have done that."

Part 1: Worked Harder | Part 2: Right Spot
Part 3: To Contribute

Be sure to read Part 1: Kelvin Torve, Worked Harder

Interview Part 2: Kelvin Torve, Right Spot

Fenway Park in Boston in 2004. Two of Kelvin Torve's 12 major league games in 1988 came at Fenway. (G21D Photo)

Part 1: Worked Harder | Part 2: Right Spot
Part 3: To Contribute

Kelvin Torve was on the field shaking hands after a June 1988 double header when the manager Jim Shellenback came up to him. The manager wanted to see Torve in his office.

Torve was in his eighth season as a pro, playing at AAA Portland for the Twins. He had yet to make the majors.

He knew instantly the reason for the manager's summons.

"There are really only two reasons why the manager needs to see you in his office," Torve told The Greatest 21 Days recently. "One is you're going to get released and the other one is you're getting called up.

"I wasn't going to get released," Torve said, noting he'd been hitting well to that point, "so I got excited right then."

Torve got to the manager's office and his suspicions were confirmed: Torve was going to the majors.

"The manager said 'it's always been your goal to play in the big leagues and now you're getting your chance.'" Torve recalled. "'You're getting called up tomorrow.'"

"It's just one of those moments in your life that you never forget."

The Metrodome in Minneapolis in 2009. Kelvin Torve played three games at the Metrodome in 1988 for the Twins. (G21D Photo)

Torve spoke with The Greatest 21 Days by phone recently from North Carolina, where he now works as a development director at a classical Christian school. He is also the father of two and husband of nearly 30 years to his wife Tonya.

Torve covered his start as a youth in Rapid City, S.D., where he played American Legion ball, to Oklahoma and Oral Roberts University, where he played his college ball. From there came his selection by the Giants in the second round and his trek through the minors to, finally, the majors.

Torve signed with the Twins for 1988. He recalled not necessarily thinking he was going to play in the majors with them. Their infield was pretty much set. They just gave him the opportunity to play at AAA and he took it.

His chance came with an injury to the Twins' Tom Herr. The big club needed a left-handed bat off the bench and Torve filled the bill. He was also hitting well at Portland.

"It was just a marriage of convenience to start with and I just happened to be needed," Torve said.

After he got the call to the manager's office, Torve said the walk from the field back in took forever. "My head was spinning," he said.

Oakland hurler A.J. Griffin delivers a pitch at Oakland Coliseum in July 2012. Kelvin Torve faced the Athletics in his major league debut in 1988. (G21D Photo)

After getting the news, Torve told his wife. She started crying tears of joy.

The Twins were in Oakland for a series against the Athletics. The next morning, Torve and his wife were on a plane there. Torve and his wife will celebrate their 30th anniversary in October 2014.

Torve was going from playing in front of 5,000 people at AAA to 45,000 in the majors. "I was nervous and excited," Torve said. "It was just amazing."

His first at bat came in that July 25, 1988 game against Dennis Eckersley. After taking the first pitch by design - a pitch he could have hit - he took the second low and inside. It was called a strike.

"I figured, I'm the rookie, he's the veteran, whatever this guy throws, I'm going to have to swing at it," Torve said, referring to the previous strike call, "because I've got no idea what the strike zone is."

Torve fouled off the third pitch. The fourth was outside. He swung and missed, strike three.

"At least I went down swinging," Torve said. "It was one of those things that didn't work out as well, but it's something that I had the opportunity to do, so I'm just grateful for the opportunity."

Torve's first hit didn't come until two days later, at California. His first hit came in the fourth on a single to center. In the seventh, he got his second hit, a home run.

The home run came off the Angels' Stew Cliburn. Cliburn hung a slider, Torve recalled. "I just got lucky, swung hard and the ball went out," Torve said.

The scoreboard at Fenway Park in 2004. The scoreboard is announcing the induction of Dennis Eckersley into the Hall of Fame. (G21D Photo)

Torve got both baseballs back, including the home run. The home run landed in the bullpen.

"When you're a journeyman and you don't get much time in the big leagues, things like that are important to you," Torve said.

In all, Torve got into 12 games for the Twins, staying up through July 20. He got a total of three hits in 17 at bats. He then played the rest of the year at Portland.

He started off 1989 back at Portland. He also started off well. Another Twins injury, one to Kent Hrbek, got Torve thinking about a second call up.

While the team needed a left-handed pinch-hitter when he was called up in 1988, the team didn't need that this time. They called up a catcher.

"It was a situation where I was playing well enough to get called up, but they didn't need what I had to offer," Torve said, "so they called up a catcher. That's just the nature of the game.

"You can earn your way there," Torve added, "but not only do you earn your way there, but you have to be at the right spot at the right time."

The next year, playing for the Mets at AAA Tidewater, Torve was again at the right spot at the right time.

Part 1: Worked Harder | Part 2: Right Spot
Part 3: To Contribute

Go to Part 3: Kelvin Torve, To Contribute

Interview Part 1: Kelvin Torve, Worked Harder

Oakland Coliseum in August 2012. Kelvin Torve made his major league debut at the Coliseum for the Twins in June 1988. (G21D Photo)

Part 1: Worked Harder | Part 2: Right Spot
Part 3: To Contribute

Kelvin Torve always took the first pitch of the game. It gave him a chance to see a pitch, the pitcher's arm angle and, he hoped, a chance to use that knowledge to get a hit later in the bat.

In this June 1988 game against future Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley, Torve did the same. It was Torve's major league debut.

"In retrospect, I should have swung at it," Torve recalled recently to The Greatest 21 Days, "because I got a pitch to hit."

He didn't get much to hit after that and he ultimately struck out. But at least Torve was in the majors. It was a spot he admitted he thought he might never get to.

Torve made that debut in his eighth season as a pro, with his third organization. He'd made AAA in his third season in 1983, but he couldn't break through to the bigs for five more years.

"It's just a matter of being mentally tough," Torve said of waiting for his call, "just working herd, just going out there every day and giving it your best. You have a bad year, you have a bad year. You can either hand your head and quit or you can work harder and get better. And I'd like to think that I worked harder and got better."

He also eventually got to the majors in parts of three seasons and to Japan in two.

The Metrodome in Minneapolis in 2009. Kelvin Torve played there with the Twins in 1988, after getting his first call up to the majors. (G21D Photo)

Torve spoke with The Greatest 21 Days by phone recently from North Carolina, where he now works as a development director at a classical Christian school. He is also the father of two and husband of nearly 30 years to his wife Tonya.

Torve covered his start as a youth in Rapid City, S.D., where he played American Legion ball, to Oklahoma and Oral Roberts University, where he played his college ball. From there came his selection by the Giants in the second round and his trek through the minors to, finally, the majors.

Torve grew up in Rapid City playing three sports in high school, baseball, football and basketball. He ultimately chose baseball, but it wasn't his favorite sport. His favorite sport, he recalled, was basketball.

Baseball became his choice, though, because baseball figured to give him his best chance of playing professionally.

He also had the opportunity to play for the local American Legion team, Rapid City Post 22, one of the best legion programs in the country. He helped the team to the 1977 American Legion World Series in New Hampshire, the legion's first run to the series. "It was a huge deal," Torve said.

Fitzgerald Stadium in Rapid City, SD, in 2009. Kelvin Torve played at Fitzgerald with Post 22 in 1977, helping them to the Legion World Series. (G21D Photo)

"It was just an absolute blast," Torve said of the experience.

His team went out in three games, but the college scouts got to get their look. Torve only heard from one scout there.

He ended up landing for college at Oral Roberts. He recalled paying his way down to take a look and liking it and they liked him, too.

"They just happened to have an emergency need for a first baseman and I had an emergency need for a college," Torve said, "so it worked well together."

At Oral Roberts, Torve and his teammates got the chance to play in front of multiple scouts each game. He remembered one game against Arkansas, which had multiple future major leaguers, drew a good 50 scouts.

By the time 1981 came around, Torve was a junior. He was also getting more attention his way from the scouts. A few teams called, asking what it would take for Torve to sign, rather than return for his senior year.

Community Field in Burlington, Iowa, in August 2010. Kelvin Torve played at Community in 1981 with the visiting Clinton Giants. (G21D Photo)

"I kind of figured I'd be drafted, I just didn't know where or whom," Torve said.


When draft day came, it was the Giants who came calling. And they called in the second round. A couple days later, Torve was signed.

Torve's first assignment was single-A Clinton. In 57 games, he hit .261. Torve was dissatisfied with his performance.

Torve recalled having trouble with the switch to wood bats from aluminum bats, as well as the move to playing every day.

"You just kept persevering," Torve said of his early difficulties, "you showed up every day, did your job, and you just did the best you can and trust God for the results."

But the Giants didn't seem to be dissatisfied. He went to instructional ball that fall. The next year, the second-rounder was sent to AA Shreveport.

At Shreveport, he did a little better. He hit .305 over the season, with 15 home runs. The next year he was assigned to AAA Phoenix, and Torve thought he was on his way to San Francisco.

Instead, he went out and hit .260 and hit just four home runs. He didn't get called up.

"I knew that was my one chance," Torve said. "I knew after that year, if I was going to play in the big leagues, it was going to be a long, hard road to get there."

McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, RI, in 2013. Kelvin Torve played at McCoy with the visiting Rochester Red Wings in 1986 and 1987. (G21D Photo)

Torve moved from AAA Phoenix in 1983 back to Shreveport for 1984. For 1985, he was traded to the Orioles. He played that year at AA Charlotte and the next two at AAA Rochester. He didn't see Baltimore. For 1988, he signed as a free agent with the Twins.

Throughout his organizational changes, Torve knew the game was the same. Just the people and the towns were different. He just continued to work to make it to the majors.

"If you're good enough and you deserve to make it to the big leagues, you do," Torve said. "If you're not good enough, you don't make it. It was just a change of scenery is all. Everything else was the same."

Also the same: Torve wasn't getting called up to the bigs. He was beginning to wonder if it would ever come.

"Going into the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th year, I doubted whether I was going to make it at all," Torve said. "I just enjoyed playing and figured as long as I've got a uniform, I've still got a chance.

"Basically, I just kept hanging around and hanging around and got in the right place at the right time and got the chance to get called up."

Then, in June 1988, as Torve and his AAA Portland Beavers finished up a double header, Torve's chance came.

Part 1: Worked Harder | Part 2: Right Spot
Part 3: To Contribute

Go to Part 2: Kelvin Torve, Right Spot

Interview Part 2: Orlando Mercado, Biggest Thing

Trenton Thunder coach Orlando Mercado, center, meeting some young Trenton-area baseball players before a June 2014 game at Trenton. (G21D Photo)

Part 1: Hardly Slowed | Part 2: Biggest Thing

Orlando Mercado was there in 2002 when his Angels won the World Series. He was the team's bullpen catcher.

He was also there later, when the championship Anaheim squad visited the White House.

Looking back on his career in the game, it was that visit, where he even had a meal, that was his biggest moment.

"Going back, thinking about what I've accomplished - a little kid from the projects, my family didn't have no money - I work hard and for me, a kid from the projects, eating at the White House and the next day eating lunch with Congress, I think that's one of my biggest things."

That visit came in a baseball career for Mercado that has no spanned 35 years in the game. It was a career that saw 17 professional seasons as a player, eight of those with time in the bigs. It's also seen two decades of time as a coach, most of that spent with the Angels organization and more recently with the Yankees..

Mercado spoke with The Greatest 21 Days before a recent game at Trenton's Arm & Hammer Park, where Mercado's Thunder were taking on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Thunder coach Orlando Mercado, center, in the Trenton dugout before a June 2014 game at Trenton. (G21D Photo)

Mercado covered his youth in Puerto Rico, his rise through the minors and his arrival in the majors, an arrival punctuated by a first-hit grand slam.

Much of his time since his playing days ended has been spent as a coach in the Angels organization, including several years with the big club in Anaheim. For 2014, he's in his first season with his new organization, the Yankees, serving as a coach at AA Trenton.

Mercado first made the majors as a player, in September 1982. His first hit came in his third appearance. It was a grand slam. He was the first player to hit a grand slam for his first major league hit.

The bat he used made its way to another place of honor, though Mercado hasn't been there to see it. It was collected by the baseball Hall of Fame. Others have told him they've seen it there, he said. "I've never been to Cooperstown to see my bat," he said, "but someday I will."

Mercado got into nine games for the Mariners that September, 66 games in 1983 and then 30 in 1984. In 1985, he was traded to the Rangers.

"From there, I started jumping to different teams because I wanted an opportunity," Mercado said.

Trenton coach Orlando Mercado coaching first base in a June 2014 game at Trenton. (G21D Photo)

From 1986 to 1990, he played for the Rangers, Tigers, Dodgers, Athletics, Twins, Mets and Expos. His time with Oakland came in 1988, getting into 19 games in the Athletics' American League championship year.

His final big league time came in 1990, with the Expos. His final professional game, though, didn't come until 1994. His final time came with 12 games as a player coach at AAA Vancouver for the Angels.

"I had to work hard, really hard to stay in the game," Mercado said. "I thank God that I played for 17-straight years."

Mercado then continued with the Angels as a coach. He coached at AA Midland in 1997, then rookie Butte. In 2000, he arrived back in the majors with Anaheim as bullpen catcher.

For 2003, Mercado moved to the job of bullpen coach for the Angels. He also followed Angels manager Mike Scioscia to the 2003 All-Star game. He stayed in that job through 2010, when he became the Angels minor league catching coordinator.

For 2014, he's with the AA Thunder, coaching for the Yankees affiliate.

When he was with the Angels, Mercado said players generally knew his history because he'd been with the organization so long. With the Yankees, there isn't that history.

Trenton coach Orlando Mercado takes Thunder runner Matt Newman's helmet between innings of a June 2014 game at Trenton. (G21D Photo)

Wherever he's been, though, Mercado said his goals have been the same: "to be a mentor, to be a teacher, to help these kids who come into the country."

"So my goal is to help these kids so their dreams can come true," Mercado said.

He's also long realized that each player is different. Some guys don't understand it right away, they take longer. "But I come here with the attitude to work, to try to be the best teacher every day," Mercado said, "and to work and to get better every day."

Mercado started his coaching career in the minors and now he is back in the minors. He said the biggest difference between coaching in the minors versus coaching in the majors is information. There's just more information available in the majors.

The Yankees, though, offer their minor league coaches a lot of resources, he added. Still, there's much observation that has to take place, both in-game and on video, he said.

"I learn a lot of stuff about the game and I still want to learn more about the game," he said.

Throughout his career, Mercado has also amassed four rings, one for work in the minors and the other three for work in the majors.

Trenton coach Orlando Mercado before a June 2014 game at Arm & Hammer Park in Trenton. (G21D Photo)

Mercado was part of the 1987 Pacific Coast League champion Albuquerque Dukes. He also played 19 regular season games for the 1988 AL champion Athletics. Then there are his 2002 World Series championship ring an 2003 All-Star game ring.

"Everybody is dreaming to be on that stage," Mercado said of his most important ring, his 2002 championship ring. "I never did as a player, but I did as a coach. I got my ring. A lot of people play a lot of years and don't have a ring."

"That's everybody's dream," Mercado said. "At least I can say I was there on that stage. I know what it takes, plus I have my ring, too."

Mercado said he's continued in the game so long, now 37 years, because his passion for the game continues.

"The day that I don't have that passion, the day that I don't have the dedication to be a teacher, to be a mentor, to help somebody, an American or Latino kid, I'll be out of the game," Mercado said. "This is what's driving me here."

"With an attitude of work, work, work, everyday," Mercado continued, "to get somebody better so somewhere down the line they can say, 'that guy Orlando Mercado helped me make it to the big leagues."

Part 1: Hardly Slowed | Part 2: Biggest Thing

Go to Part 1: Orlando Mercado, Hardly Slowed

Interview Part 1: Orlando Mercado, Hardly Slowed

Trenton Thunder coach Orlando Mercado at Arm & Hammer Park in June 2014. Mercado played in eight major league seasons. (G21D Photo)

Part 1: Hardly Slowed | Part 2: Biggest Thing

TRENTON, NJ - Orlando Mercado remembered falling behind 0-2, then laying off a series of sliders to get the count full.

This was Sept. 19, 1982, at Seattle's Kingdome, only Mercado's third game in the majors. He was facing Texas' Steve Comer, a three-quarters side-arm pitcher. The bases were loaded.

"It was 3-2 and he threw one of his sinkers right there," Mercado recalled to The Greatest 21 Days recently. "I hit it, a line-drive to left center and the ball went out."

Mercado didn't know it for sure until he was half-way around the bases. The second base umpire told him, Mercado recalled, telling the rookie he could slow down.

"I was excited," Mercado said.

Mercado, though, has hardly slowed down since. He went on to a playing career that spanned 17 seasons, eight of those with time in the majors. He then went on to a two-decade-long coaching career that continues in 2014 as Mercado serves as a coach for the AA Trenton Thunder.

Mercado spoke with The Greatest 21 Days before a recent game at Trenton's Arm & Hammer Park, where Mercado's Thunder were taking on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Trenton Thunder coach Orlando Mercado, right, in Trenton. Mercado has had a two-decade coaching career. (G21D Photo)

Mercado covered his youth in Puerto Rico, coming from poor beginnings to get signed at age 16. From there, he rose through the minors, learning the language along the way. Soon, he was in the majors hitting that grand slam.

Much of his time since his playing days ended was with the Angels. In 2002, Mercado served as the Angels bullpen catcher in Anaheim. The catcher who was once a poor kid from Puerto Rico was there for the World Series championship, and for the club's trip to the White House. He later became the team's bullpen coach.

For 2014, he's in his first season with his new organization, the Yankees, serving as a coach at AA Trenton.

Mercado was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. He recalled being introduced to the game at the age of 8. Soon, he was playing all the baseball he could, Little League, Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax.

He started off as an infielder and a catcher. He recalled playing double-headers on Saturdays and Sundays, playing the first game in the infield and the second at catcher.

Mercado seemed to have a knack for throwing runners out, so, when he went to a pro tryout at age 16, he went as a catcher. It also helped that there were fewer catchers at the tryout than infielders. He soon signed his first pro contract with the Mariners.

Trenton Thunder catcher Gary Sanchez behind the plate in June 2014. Orlando Mercado made the majors as a catcher. (G21D Photo)

Mercado recalled watching the Game of the Week on his family's old black and white television, seeing the Reds, the Pirates, Dodgers and the Yankees. Now, he was hopefully on his way to be playing in the majors himself.

"At only 12 years old, 10 years old, I say, someday I want to be on that stage," Mercado said, "and, thank God, I work real hard and I made it."

Before he could make it to the majors, though, he had to learn English. He took an English class and his English improved.

For Mercado, the language was as important as anything, he recalled.

"My position as catcher, I had to communicate with everybody, so it was No. 1 for me," he said.

Mercado started in rookie ball, but didn't get into a game. He then got onto the field at short-season Bellingham in 1978. He made AA Lynn in 1980, then AAA Spokane in 1981.

Back at AAA in 1982, at Salt Lake City, Mercado had perhaps his best season. He hit 16 home runs, with a .280 average.

Mercado got the news as September came, after a game.

Trenton Thunder coach Orlando Mercado, third from the left, walking back to the dugout before a June 2014 game in Trenton. (G21D Photo)

"The manager called me in the office and said, 'hey, congratulations, you're going to the big leagues,'" Mercado recalled. "So I was excited because that's what you work for."

"When you're little, you've got to have some goals, you've got to have dreams," Mercado added. "For me, my dream came true at that time."

Mercado debuted Sept. 13 as a late-inning defensive replacement. He then got his first at bat five days later. The Sept. 19 game his first start.

On the mound for Seattle was a fellow Puerto Rican, Edwin Nunez. In Mercado's account of the game, he first pointed to what he and Nunez accomplished, before what he accomplished on his own.

"That's when I had my first major league hit and Edwin Nunez his first major league win," Mercado said. "According to one of my baseball cards, Edwin Nunez and myself, we were the youngest battery in history - pitcher and catcher combination."

Mercado helped make that win happen, sealing the game with his grand slam in the fifth, part of a Mariners eight-run explosion Mercado's grand slam proved the difference in the Mariners' 9-7 win.

From there, Mercado went on to his eight-season major league career, then to his ongoing career as a coach.

Part 1: Hardly Slowed | Part 2: Biggest Thing

Go to Part 2: Orlando Mercado, Biggest Thing

Interview Part 3: Jim Czajkowski, Life Lessons

New Hampshire pitching coach Jim Czajkowski, left, talks with infielder Kevin Nolan during a June 2014 game at Trenton. (G21D Photo)

Part 1: Stepped Foot | Part 2: Daily Work
Part 3: Life Lessons

Jim Czajkowski regularly reaches back to his playing days in his current job as a minor league pitching coach, but he reaches back to his days growing up, he recalled recently.

"My mom was a teacher growing up, so I consider myself a teacher of baseball," Czajkowski, pitching coach for 2014 at AA New Hampshire, told The Greatest 21 Days recently. "I teach these guys, I give them life lessons on what baseball is about. They can use it or they don't."

Czajkowski's own life lessons in the game date back more than a quarter century. He spent 12 of those seasons as a player, including 558 total pitching appearances in the minors and all of five appearances in the majors.

He's spent much of his time since his playing career ended helping to mold young pitchers and send them on to the next level, first in the Braves system and, since 2011, with the Blue Jays.

Perhaps Czajkowski's biggest life lesson came with sticking it out for nine seasons in the minors before finally getting his call to the major leagues in 1994. Waiting for him in his long-awaited major league debut was San Francisco's Barry Bonds, Matt Williams and Darryl Strawberry.

New Hampshire pitching coach Jim Czajkowski on the field prior to a June 2014 game at Trenton. (G21D Photo)

Czajkowski spoke with The Greatest 21 Days before a recent game at Trenton's Arm & Hammer Park, where Czajkowski's Fisher Cats were taking on the Trenton Thunder.

Czajkowski covered his early time in the game, turning pro and then his efforts to stay in the game long enough for someone to give him his shot at the bigs. That was something he had prayed about, asking to get just one day in the majors. He got 15.

He then told of working to get back in the game, trying to get someone to give him a shot at coaching. He's been coaching in the minors ever since.

Czajkowski's major league debut came July 29, 1994 with the Rockies in San Francisco. It was Czajkowski's ninth season as a pro. He recalled stating his case on the mound at AAA Colorado Springs for his shot at the majors. He had a 2.71 ERA in 44 outings.

"I was pitching so well that I almost forced the issue," Czajkowski said. "'Hey, this guy needs a chance.'"

After an injury to another pitcher, Czajkowski got his chance.

A New Hampshire hitter swings in a June 2014 game at Trenton. In the foreground is fill-in manager Sal Fasano. (G21D Photo)

Called up to the Rockies for a series at San Francisco, Czajkowski debuted against those three hitters, Bonds, Williams and Strawberry. He also debuted in front of a host of family and friends. Czajkowski spent his high school years in Fairfield, outside of San Francisco.

When he got to the mound, Czajkowski recalled his nerves going away. "Now it was just competing against guys you dream about competing against," he said.

His debut didn't go as well as he had hoped. He gave up three hits, two of them on broken bats, "but I managed to get out of it. I gave up just one run," Czajkowski recalled.

With that, Czajowski was a major leaguer. There were also major league problems on the horizon that Czajkowski had no control over. He also didn't have time to ponder them.

"I was so locked in at the moment that I didn't care about the strike," Czajkowski said. "My dream has cone true, I was in the big leagues."

Czajkowski got a total of five outings with the Rockies late that July and early that August. In 8.2 innings, he gave up four earned runs. His final outing came Aug. 9, two days before the players struck.

Czajkowski spent the next three seasons trying to get back. His 1995 season started poorly at Colorado Springs. He believes he ruined any chance he had that year with his bad start.

Getting ready before a June 2014 game at Trenton. Jim Czajkowski is leaning against the fence, on the right. (G21D Photo)

In fact, Czajkowski recalled, he pitched awful.

"I tell these guys all the time, I ruined my chance of getting another chance with the Rockies my first month," Czajkowski said. The lesson there: Don't let up.

After that, Czajkowski played two seasons in the Blue Jays organization, but he never saw Toronto. He even looked elsewhere, including Japan, but he never got to go. His career was done.

His next task was to get back into the game as a coach. It took him two years, but he finally got his foot back in the door with the Braves.

Those two years were spent getting his resume out to organizations and getting letters of non-interest back. He had almost given up on it, he recalled. What got him in, Czajkowski said, was a visit to his old minor league teammate Steve Avery, who was rehabbing at AA.

The Braves, it turned out, had a couple jobs open. After some phone calls and interviews, Czajkowski was in.

"It was kind of a perfect fit because I'd been drafted by the Braves, all their coaching staff was pretty much still intact. I knew a lot of them, they knew me," Czajkowski said. "It all kind of fit together."

He then spent the next 11 seasons with the organization as a minor league coach. He spent six of those seasons at rookie Danville.

At the rail during a June 2014 game at Trenton. Jim Czajkowski is on the left.

He recalled the rookie level as particularly fun, because they were just learning to be a professional, Czajkowski said.

"These guys," Czajkowski said of his AA hurlers, "they're a little bit older. They know how to act professional. They should be able to do professional type things. The coaching is less, it's just tweaking motion, mechanics and talking about strategies."

Then there's the personalities. Czajkowski and any coach has to deal with many different ones. He knows he must approach each personality differently. Once he figures that out, he can decide whether a more direct approach is necessary, or one with more encouragement would work.

"I give it a couple weeks of me knowing these guys," Czajkowski said. "Spring training's not enough because everyone's just fighting for a job there. But, during the season here, I've got to find out what's my tool going to be."

And, once they get to know him, they know Czajkowski speaks from experience.

He experienced everything they're experiencing and then some.

"They look at my resume, they know I was pretty much a career minor leaguer," Czajkowski said. "So whatever they're going to do, I've done already. So I think I can relate to them on those issues.

That resume includes six seasons with time at AA, five with time at AAA. It also includes that one season, 1994, where he got 15 days in the bigs.

"I kind of know what they're going through," Czajkowski said.

Part 1: Stepped Foot | Part 2: Daily Work
Part 3: Life Lessons

Be sure to read Part 1: Jim Czajkowski, Stepped Foot