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Sunday, October 8, 2023

Brian Currie credited his father for being a lefty; Played four pro seasons

Brian Currie 1990 Erie Sailors card

Brian Currie had enough success his freshman year at the University of South Carolina to become only the second freshman hurler to win more than five games, The Columbia State wrote.

Currie cited his father in his early success - as a left-hander, The State wrote.

"I have to give my daddy most of the credit," Currie told The State in April 1985. "Basically, I'm a right-handed person. But he wouldn't let me throw right-handed. He was determined his boy was going to be a left-hander."

Currie eventually took his left-handed skills from college to the pros. His pro career lasted four campaigns. He topped out at short-season.

Currie's career began in 1987, taken by the Dodgers in the 35th round of the draft out of the University of South Carolina.

At South Carolina, he played American Legion ball in the summer of 1985 and struck out 14 batters in seven innings of one game, The Columbia Record wrote

"I knew if I threw strikes we'd have a good chance of winning the ballgame," Currie told The Record.

Currie started with the Dodgers in 1987, at rookie Great Falls. He saw 17 outings, one start. He went 1-3, with a 4.91 ERA.

He then moved to short-season Salem for 1988 and earned the title of team relief ace. In one July contest, he retired the final eight batters for his sixth save, The Salem Statesman Journal wrote.

"He (Currie) really turned it around," Salem manager Tom Beyers told The Statesman Journal. "His scout really hounded us about giving him a shot, and he's done the job. He's not overpowering, but he gets it done."

Currie went 1-4 over 29 outings, one start, with a 2.47 ERA and 10 saves for Salem that year.

He then moved to short-season co-op Boise for 1989. He went 2-5 there, with a 2.45 ERA and five saves. For 1990, he played at independent co-op Erie. He went 6-3, with a 4.06 ERA in 18 games, 11 starts. That season marked his last as a pro.

Brian Currie 1990 Erie Sailors card

1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:4,238
Made the Majors:1,385-32.7%
Never Made Majors:2,853-67.3%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:562
10+ Seasons in the Minors:345

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