John Vandemark gained new focus, saw 9 seasons, high-A

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John Vandemark 1995 Clearwater Phillies baseball card

John Vandemark started his career with two seasons in the Astros system, but he didn't appreciate his position, The Fargo Forum wrote later.

Instead, he left baseball and soon joined the Marines. 

"Back then they couldn't pay me enough to play," Vandemark told The Forum. "Now I'd pay them to play."

Vandemark spoke to The Forum in June 1998, having resumed his pro career, first in affiliated ball then in independent ball, with the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks. 

Overall, Vandemark saw nine pro seasons. He topped out at high-A.

Vandemark's career began in 1990, taken by the Astros in the 62nd round of the previous year's draft out of Lockport High School in Lockport, New York.

Vandemark started with the Astros in 1990 briefly as a position player, in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He got into nine games. He picked up five hits in 23 at bats for a .217 average.

He moved to pitching for 1991, but saw only three outings, two in the GCL with the Astros and one with the Mariners in the Arizona League.

Vandemark then didn't return to the field until 1994, with the Phillies. He played that year at short-season Batavia. He went 1-1 in 16 relief outings, with a 3.38 ERA.

He moved to high-A Clearwater for 1995 and stayed there for three seasons. He last went 2-1, with a 2.88 ERA in 14 relief outings there in 1997.

Vandemark then moved to independent Fargo-Moorhead for 1998. He saw 6 outings, 5 starts. He went 4-1, with a 5.70 ERA. Arm problems then ended his season.

He returned for 1999, after undergoing intensive physical therapy - and seeing a "witch," he told The Forum.

"I didn't believe in any of that witchpower stuff," Vandemark told The Forum. "But I figured what could it hurt. I've tried everything else, so I thought I'd see what the woman had to say."

Vandemark saw 11 outings at Fargo and three more at independent Schaumburg. He went 1-3 overall, with a 4.30 ERA. He then finished out his career in 2000 with three starts at independent New Jersey.

John Vandemark 1995 Clearwater Phillies baseball card

More: The 1990 Gulf Coast League Astros

1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:4,537
Made the Majors:1,433-31.6%
Never Made Majors:3,104-68.4%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:582
10+ Seasons in the Minors:359

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