David Nix learned as pro, then injury, passed in 2018

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Having just signed his pro contract with the Astros in June 1990, David Nix spoke to his hometown Evansville Courier and Press about his next steps.

"My job is to learn and do the best job I can," Nix told The Courier and Press then. "So far, Houston's been great for me. We didn't argue over money one bit."

Nix went on from there to see two pro seasons. He spent both in the rookie Gulf Coast League before an injury ultimately ended his career.

Nix' career began that year in 1990, taken by the Astros in the seventh round of the draft out of Harrison High School in Evansville, Indiana.

Nix started with the Astros in the rookie Gulf Coast League. The pitcher saw 13 outings, four starts. He went 2-1, with one save.

Going into 1991, Nix spoke to The Courier and Press about success he had that spring, and one instance where he even got to pitch in front of the Astros major league pitching coach Bob Cluck.

"That was a great feeling, throwing for the top pitching coach in the organization," Nix told The Courier and Press. "And he knew my name, too. From everything I can tell, they like me. They think I have a future." 

Nix returned that second year to the Gulf Coast League. He ended up seeing nine outings, four starts. He went 0-5, with a 6.34 ERA.

That offseason, though, Nix underwent shoulder surgery to tighten up loose muscles in his shoulder. He'd experienced pain early in 1991,  then again in off-season strength workouts. He wasn't expected to start throwing again until late that summer, The Courier and Press wrote. 

He had hopes on returning and, he told The Courier and Press, he worked to stay positive. Nix did not return to the mound. He is, however, recorded as returning for five games as a fielder in 1996 with independent Sonoma County to end his career.

Nix ultimately settled in Ohio, where he worked at a steel company to Indiana, according to his obituary. He passed away in June 2018 at the age of 46.


1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:4,534
Made the Majors:1,433-31.6%
Never Made Majors:3,101-68.4%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:582
10+ Seasons in the Minors:359

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