Several teams contacted Henderson High School and University of Alabama product Jason Bridges ahead of the 1988 draft, but the team that ultimately took him - the Yankees - didn't, his hometown Longview News-Journal wrote.
Even so, Bridges still quickly signed, The News-Journal wrote.
"Hey, I don't care," Bridges told The News-Journal then. "I was tired of waiting. It was kind of a surprise when they told me who it was, but all I want to do is play baseball."
Bridges soon hit the field with the Yankees. He went on to play over three seasons. He topped out at high-A.
Bridges' career began that year in 1988, taken by the Yankees in the 25th round of the draft out of Alabama.
Bridges started with the Yankees at short-season Oneonta. He hit .225 in 68 games, including three home runs.
In an early July contest, Bridges helped in an 11-1 rout, including going 5 for 5, until getting stopped by an outfielder called in to pitch, The Elmira Star-Gazette wrote.
"That outfielder pitched as well as their regular pitchers," Bridges told The Star-Gazette afterward.
Bridges played 1989 largely at single-A Prince William and a game at single-A Fort Lauderdale. He hit .207 in 72 total games.
He then returned to Prince William at high-A for 1990. He hit .210 in 58 games to end his career.
- Longview News-Journal, June 16, 1988: Henderson product signs with Yankees
- Elmira Star-Gazette, July 2, 1988: Oneonta explodes for 11-1 rout of Pioneers
Made the Majors:1,356-33.2%
Never Made Majors:2,733-66.8%
5+ Seasons in the Majors:552
10+ Seasons in the Minors:334
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