Shinall seemed to understand, pointing to another player as the immediate possibility. At the same time, though, he knew he would continue to work, he told The Times.
"I would be ready for the job if they promoted me," Shinall told The Times. "All that I can do now is get people out. Once I prove I can do that on a consistent basis and start dominating this league, I'll get my chance in the majors. They'll have to make a move."
The Dodgers eventually did make a move, trading Shinall after the next season. But he eventually did make the majors. He did so with the Mariners in 1993 and saw a single big league outing.
Shinall's career began in 1987, taken by the Dodgers in the 29th round of the draft out of El Camino College in California.
Shinall started with the Dodgers in the rookie Gulf Coast League and at rookie Great Falls. He moved to single-A Bakersfield for 1988, where he went 7-8, with a 4.22 ERA.
He hit single-A Vero Beach in 1989, then AA San Antonio in 1990. He went 6-3 over 20 outings, 15 starts at San Antonio, while posting a 3.55 ERA.
Shinall made AAA Albuquerque for 1991 and all of 1992. He got into 64 games in relief in 1992, while picking up 13 wins and a 3.29 ERA. But he didn't make Los Angeles.
That August, he gave up a home run in Las Vegas that smashed part of the scoreboard, sending off sparks like in "The Natural."
"He didn't miss much of it," Shinall, who still got the win, told The Times later. "It was the longest home run I've ever given up, and I don't give up many home runs."
The Dodgers traded Shinall that December to the Indians. The Indians then placed him on waivers the next April, after he gave up four earned over two outs at AAA Charlotte. The Mariners selected him.
Shinall made his major league debut shortly afterward, on May 12. Shinall came on in the third inning of a game against the White Sox. He went 2.2 innings and gave up one earned run. Those stats proved the extent of his big league career.
Shinall played out that year at AAA Calgary. After not being recorded as playing in 1994, he returned for one final brief look with the Brewers at AAA New Orleans in 1995 to end his career.
- Los Angeles Times, July 28, 1991: Shinall Is in No Rush to Join the Dodgers
- Los Angeles Times, July 26, 1992: This Vegas Longshot Is One for the Books
Players/Coaches Featured:3,027
Made the Majors:1,113-36.8%-X
Never Made Majors:1,914-63.2%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 465
10+ Seasons in the Minors:276
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