Pennyfeather hadn't done terribly well in his 15 appearances the year before, or that spring. But he did have something the Pirates were looking for, according to The Times.
"Will's major asset is his ability to play center field," Pirates assistant GM Cam Bonifay told The Times.
Pennyfeather ended up getting time in 21 games that month and the next for the Pirates, 15 of those with time in center field. He ended up getting time in just one more major league season, four more major league games.
Pennyfeather, though, continued playing in the minors, independent ball and overseas, not playing his final game for more than a decade more, until 2006.
Pennyfeather's career began in 1988, signed by the Pirates as an undrafted free agent out of Syracuse University. At Syracuse, Pennyfeather also played another sport, football.
With the Pirates, Pennyfeather started in the rookie Gulf Coast League and at rookie Princeton. He moved to short-season Welland in 1989, then single-A Augusta in 1990.
Pennyfeather first made AA in 1991, then AAA Buffalo in 1992. It was also in 1992 that he first made Pittsburgh.
Called up to the Pirates in June, Pennyfeather got into 15 games, getting nine at bats and two hits. He then returned for his second season with the Pirates in June 1993. Over the next month, he played in 21 games, getting seven hits in 34 at bats.
In mid-July, Pennyfeather made a game as a pinch-runner, then scored the game-winner. He also got sent back to the minors afterward.
Pennyfeather ended up making the Pirates again in April 1994, but his stint was brief, four games, three at bats and no hits. They were the final games of his major league career.
Pennyfeather returned to AAA Buffalo, then moved to AAA Indianapolis after being taken off waivers by the Reds. He moved to AAA with the Angels for 1996, then AAA with the Dodgers in 1997.
In 1998, Pennyfeather got his first look at independent ball at Atlantic City. He also played in Taiwan.
His last time in affiliated ball came in 1999, with the Angels. For 2000, he returned to the independent Atlantic League and Atlantic City and would stay there almost exclusively until his retirement
Pennyfeather played his final game in 2006, in his home state of New Jersey with independent Newark, his career ending after 19 seasons as a pro.
- Beaver County Times, June 16, 1993: Bucs juggle roster with Van Slyke out
Players/Coaches Featured:1,073
Made the Majors: 658 - 61.3%-X
Never Made Majors: 415-38.7%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 287
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 169
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