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Saturday, April 15, 2017

Rich Long, Good Fastball - 10

Eastern Washington's Rich Long drew praise from rival Washington State coach Bobo Brayton in March 1989, according to The Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

But how could he not? The starter Long orchestrated a no-hitter, closed out with the help of a teammate, The Daily News wrote.

"Long had a good fastball. Then he started getting the breaking stuff over," Brayton told The Daily News later. "We were history."

Long went on from Eastern Washington to play as a pro. He apparently couldn't get enough over, however, to stick. Long played two seasons, making single-A South Bend, but no higher.

Long's pro career began that year in 1989, taken by the White Sox in the 18th round of the draft out of Eastern Washington. He was also credited as Richard Long.

At Eastern Washington, Long played the summer of 1988 in Missouri for the Nevada Griffons. He pitched well in a June game until a difficult fifth inning, giving up two doubles, a single and a pair of walks before getting the first out. In a July game, he played first base, knocking in five on a home run and a double.

With the White Sox, Long played the 1989 season at short-season Utica. He got into 20 games in relief, going 3-3, with two saves. He turned in an ERA of 3.63.

He moved to South Bend for 1990. He went 1-5 over 27 outings, seven starts, putting up a 4.35 ERA. He lost his fifth game in August, giving up four earned in 2.1 innings of work. That season marked his second and final as a pro.
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 2,597
Made the Majors:1,022-39.4%
Never Made Majors:1,575-60.6%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 424
10+ Seasons in the Minors:261

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