Spokane reliever Bruce Bensching started his pro career in 1990 about as hot as he could start it, The Spokane Spokesman-Review wrote.
The 26th-round pick threw 20.1 innings without giving up an earned run and struck out 29, The Spokane Spokesman-Review wrote.
"I have nothing to lose," Bensching explained to The Spokesman-Review. "I just came up here to try and throw my best. It's not like this is the only thing in my life. If it was the only thing in my life, I'd be a lot more nervous."
Bensching ended up continuing to pitch for three pro seasons. He topped out at high-A. He's then gone on to a career as a coach in college.
Bensching's career began that year in 1990, taken by the Padres in the 26th round out of Lewis-Clark State College.
Bensching started with the Padres at short-season Spokane. He saw 32 relief outings. He went 8-1, with a 1.54 ERA and 10 saves.
In the midst of his early-season streak without an earned run he explained to The Spokesman-Review that it came down to his pitches, including that night.
"The split (finger fastball) was working real good," Bensching told The Spokesman-Review. "It kept them off balance."
Bensching moved to single-A Waterloo for 1991. He saw 54 relief outings there, with a 2.44 ERA. He went 3-8 and earned 12 saves.
He returned there for 1992, along with a brief stint at high-A High Desert. He went 4-8, with a 2.29 ERA in 51 relief outings that year. That season also proved his last as a pro.
By 2010, Bensching was back in his native Clarkston, Wash., as head coach at Clarkston High School. In March 2022, he assessed that year's team to The Spokesman-Review.
"We are very young and if we compete and play hard we could be good." Bensching told The Spokesman-Review.
- Spokane Spokesman-Review, July 8, 1990: Gash's catch, Mieske's bat rescue Tribe
- Spokane Spokesman-Review, July 11, 1990: Bensching dazzles batters
- Spokane Spokesman-Review, March 31, 2022: Clarkston
Made the Majors:1,348-33.2%
Never Made Majors:2,713-66.8%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:548
10+ Seasons in the Minors:333
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