Jim Schifman dreamed of pros, made it for eight games

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Vanderbilt's Jim Schifman had a disappointing junior season, but he hoped to turn it around his senior year and turn pro, he told his hometown Kansas City Star in July 1989.

'It's a dream of mine," Schifman told The Star of turning pro. "With a good senior year, I'll get some kind of chance."

Schifman did get his chance, though it was a brief one. He signed with the independent Salt Lake City Trappers. He played in all of eight games.

Schifman's pro career began and ended in 1990, signed by Salt Lake City out of Vanderbilt.

Schifman went to Vanderbilt after catching the eye of coaches in the summer Ban Johnson League, The Star wrote.

"Speed is definitely Jim's greatest asset," Schifman's Ban Johnson manager Cary Lundy told The Star in July 1987. "If he puts the ball into play, it's gong to be close at first base."

By May 1990, Schifman was Vanderbilt's leading hitter and all-conference. He then got signed by Salt Lake City.

Schifman went 2 for 5 in a June game, then singled and knocked in a run in another game.

Overall, Schifman saw those eight games and picked up 13 hits in 28 at bats. Despite those numbers - a .464 average - those appearances marked his only appearances as a pro.


1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:4,488
Made the Majors:1,426-31.8%
Never Made Majors:3,062-68.2%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:577
10+ Seasons in the Minors:357

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