Steve McCumiskey went from college catching to pros

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Rhode Island catcher Steve McCumiskey seemingly tried to be polite with when the opposing pitcher Ed Therrien came to bat after a designated hitter switch issue in this April 1989 game, according to The Bangor Daily News.

"There was no way I was going to get a hit," Therrien told The Daily News then. "Their catcher (McCumiskey) asked me what I wanted their pitcher to throw me, but I told him it didn't matter, I wasn't going to hit it anyway."

McCumiskey's more usual work as a catcher at Rhode Island ultimately got him a shot at the pros. His pro time ended up lasting a single season, spent at short-season Auburn.

McCumiskey's career began and ended in 1990, taken by the Astros in the 42nd round of the draft out of the University of Rhode Island.

At Rhode Island, McCumiskey was photographed catching a high throw and pulling it down to get a tag out in an April 1989 game. He picked up a double in an April 1990 game.

With the Astros, he was assigned to short-season Auburn. The scout who signed him, Tom Mooney, tried to see McCumiskey play in late June, but the game got rained out, The Berkshire Eagle wrote. 

McCumiskey, however, had few chance to play. He saw 18 games in all and picked up 4 hits in 28 at bats to mark the extent of his pro career.


1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:4,543
Made the Majors:1,435-31.6%
Never Made Majors:3,108-68.4%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:582
10+ Seasons in the Minors:359

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