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Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Bobby Holley's career spanned decade, made AAA with Mariners


UCLA's Bobby Holley hit two home runs this day in February 1988, part of back-to-back shots in the fourth and another in the seventh, The Arizona Daily Star wrote.

Holley attempted to explain his performance to The Daily Star afterward.

"I like to think I have power," Holley told The Daily Star.

Holley's gamer soon powered him off to the pros. His pro career spanned a decade. He topped out at AAA with the Mariners.

Holley's pro career began in 1988, taken by the Tigers in the 40th round of the draft out of UCLA.

Though taken by the Tigers, Holley started his pro career with the Royals at short-season Eugene, signed as a free agent.

Holley saw 46 games at Eugene and hit .241, with one home run. He moved to single-A Appleton for 1989. He hit .244 in 68 games there, with three home runs.

Holley arrived at high-A Baseball City for 1990. He saw 27 games there before getting released and signing with the Mariners at high-A Peninsula.

Holley proved key in an early July win for Peninsula, tying the game and then setting up the winning run, The Newport News Daily Press wrote.

"I knew I could play with the Royals, but it was a political thing," Holley told The Daily Press of his move after the win. "A few people turn on you and you're in trouble. There were several teams I considered trying to catch on with, but things just kept coming up Seattle."

Holley moved up to AA Jacksonville for part of 1991 and all of 1992. He then saw AAA Calgary for 12 games in 1993. He hit .263, with two home runs at Calgary.

For 1994, he moved to independent Huron and independent Aberdeen for 1995. He was then intending to focus on his own baseball school and work as a substitute teacher in California, according to David Trombley's The Prairie League.

"The dream of getting to the major leagues is still there for every one of us." Holley said, according to the site. "But right now my greater dreams are to get married and start a family."

Holley then returned for 33 final games at independent Moose Jaw in 1997 to end his career.

1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:4,282
Made the Majors:1,390-32.5%
Never Made Majors:2,892-67.5%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:565
10+ Seasons in the Minors:347

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