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Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Mike Humphreys knew spring numbers didn't matter, season numbers did; Saw time in three ML campaigns

Originally published April 4, 2020
Mike Humphreys knew he played well in spring 1993 for the Yankees. But he knew those numbers were spring numbers, he told The South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

He wanted to put up regular season numbers, he told The Sun-Sentinel.

"It won't matter to me until I hear the national anthem in Cleveland on Opening Day, and I have No. 60 on my back," Humphreys told The Sun-Sentinel. "Then, it will count. Not before."

Humphreys did make the team - and that Cleveland series. He went on to appear in 25 games for the Yankees that year, in his third season with big league time. That season also proved his last with big league time.  He saw 54 total major league games.

Humphreys' career began in 1988, taken by the Padres in the 15th round of the draft out of Texas Tech University.

Humphreys started with the Padres at short-season Spokane. He hit .307 over 76 games. He then moved to single-A Riverside for 1989 and played most of 1990 at AA Wichita.

Humphreys also saw AAA Las Vegas in 1990, 12 games. He hit .238 there and .276 the rest of 1990 at Wichita.

For 1991, the Padres sent Humphreys to the Yankees. Humphreys started that year at AAA Columbus. In July, he made the Bronx. He got into 25 games and went 8 for 40. He knocked in three and stole two bases.

He returned for four games with the Yankees in 1992, where he went 1 for 10. He then got his final 25 games with the Yankees in 1993. He went 6 for 35. He also hit his only major league home run, an early June shot against Cleveland.

"I'd say it was a good day," Humphreys told The New York Times after his home run, grinning. "I got a little monkey off my back and I got some confidence back."

Humphreys returned to AAA Columbus for 1994, then saw AAA Buffalo and AAA Tacoma for 1995 with the Mariners and Indians. He then finished out his career in 1996 at independent Rhode Island.
1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:3,503
Made the Majors:1,221-34.8%
Never Made Majors:2,282-65.2%
5+ Seasons in the Majors:508
10+ Seasons in the Minors:299

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