Gar Finnvold made it up to AAA Pawtucket in his second season in 1991, but stay lasted just three games, The Tallahassee Democrat wrote.
For Finnvold, though, he was OK with that, he told The Democrat that June.
"I went up there and proved my point," Finnvold told The Democrat. "They told me t hat they thought I could pitch up there. You're pitching against guys who've seen every kind of pitch there is. You learn to set up hitters. It was definitely a learning experience."
It turned out Finnvold could pitch up there, and also in the majors. His major league time consisted of eight starts in 1994 for the Red Sox.
Finnvold's career began in 1990, taken by the Red Sox in the sixth round of the draft out of Florida State University.
At Florida State, Finnvold went 11-2 by early May 1990, with a 2.97 ERA, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
"To be a good pitcher, you have to pay attention to details. You have to be smart," Finnvold told The Sun-Sentinel. "Any pitcher can throw a strike, but can he throw one that the batter can't hit? Can he make him swing at a bad pitch?"
Finnvold started with the Red Sox at short-season Elmira. He went 5-5, with a 3.13 ERA. He then moved to high-A Lynchburg, AA New Britain and Pawtuckett in 1991.
He played 1992 at New Britain, then 1993 at Pawtucket. He started 1994 back at Pawtucket, then, in May, he got called up to Boston.
Finnvold went five innings and left with a 5-2 lead, though he got the no-decision, The Sun-Sentinel wrote.
"I have no complaints," Finnvold told The Sun-Sentinel afterward. "Obviously, I would have liked to have stayed in a little longer and take the pressure off the bullpen but I'm satisfied."
Finnvold got eight starts. He went 0-4, with a 5.94 ERA. His last game came Aug. 7, 1994.
Finnvold returned to Pawtucket for a single outing in 1995, then eight final starts in 1996 to end his career.
Finnvold has since turned real estate advisor in his native Florida. He continued in that job in 2021 in South Palm Beach County.
- South Florida Sun-Sentinel, May 4, 1990: Finnvold a key to FSU success
- Tallahassee Democrat, June 30, 1991: Demotion hasn't gotten Finnvold's spirits down
- South Florida Sun-Sentinel, May 11, 1994: Red Sox bullpen spoils Finnvold's majors debut
Made the Majors:1,256-34.0%
Never Made Majors:2,439-66.0%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:522
10+ Seasons in the Minors:309
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