Len Brutcher played pro baseball, then college basketball

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Len Brutcher 1990 South Bend White Sox card
His baseball career over, Len Brutcher tried something new in 1994.

The former White Sox second-round pick returned to college and played basketball for Victor Valley College, according to the San Bernardino County Sun.

"I don't think many people get the chance I've had," Brutcher told The Sun. "When guys get out of baseball, they're usually too old to go to basketball and if they get out of basketball, they're usually too old for baseball. I'm lucky."

Brutcher returned to college after his five season pro baseball career. Brutcher never made AA.

Brutcher's baseball career began in 1988, taken by the White Sox 40th overall out of Cicero-North Syracuse High School. Brutcher was also credited as Lenny Brutcher.

In high school, Brutcher won the Gatorade New York State Player of the Year award for 1987-1988.

Brutcher started with the White Sox in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He went 9-1, with a 2.55 ERA over 14 outings, nine starts.

Brutcher moved to single-A South Bend for 1989. He went 5-5, with a 3.74 ERA over 16 outings. He lost time early that season getting extra work in extended spring training.

He returned to South Bend for 1990. He got 22 starts that year, going 11-4. He struck out 11 batters in a May win, giving up two hits. That August, Brutcher slipped on wet grass, the first game after opposing Wausau players tried to cause a rain out and injured his knee.

Brutcher played 1991 at high-A Sarasota, going 7-5, with a 4.54 ERA. He then played his final season in 1992 with the Padres at high-A High Desert. He got into 16 games in relief, ending his career.
Originally published May 6, 2017
Len Brutcher 1990 South Bend White Sox card

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