For more great baseball stories like this one, 'like' us on Facebook - Facebook.com/Greatest21Days

Friday, April 29, 2016

John Kupsey, Nice Kid - 10

Originally published Nov. 29, 2014
Gloucester Catholic's John Kupsey hit an early home run to help his team beat rival Bishop Eustace in this early June 1988 game.

It was a performance that Eustace had seen all too often - and one Eustace coach Joe Galliera told The Philadelphia Inquirer he hoped he'd see again in the pros.

"It's been a pleasure watching John Kupsey for four years," Galliera told The Inquirer. "To watch him play has been phenomenal. He is all the good players I remember seeing wrapped in one. I wish him all the luck in the world. He's a nice kid and I hope he makes it."

Kupsey played in that game shortly after he was taken by the Braves in the second round of the draft. out of Gloucester Catholic in southern New Jersey.

But, while Kupsey made it to the pro ranks, he never made it to the majors. He played in six seasons, but never made it above AA.

Kupsey started with the Braves in the rookie Gulf Coast League, hitting .217 in 44 games. He moved to rookie Pulaski in 1989. He hit .250 there in 53 games.

Kupsey moved to single-A Sumter in 1990. He hit .216 in 68 games. He doubled and scored in an August game, but it was his final season with the Braves.

After a season away from the game, Kupsey returned for 1992 with the Phillies at single-A Spartanburg. He hit .246, with four home runs that year. He hit one of his home runs in a June game.

He returned to Spartanburg for 1993, but he only got into 35 games. He went 2 for 4 in an August game. In 1994, he made AA Reading. He played in 32 games there, but hit just .200. It was his final season as a pro.

Kupsey has since returned to southern New Jersey. He's listed in 2014 as a coach with the South Jersey Titans youth baseball team.

No comments:

Post a Comment