Dave Eichhorn made AAA, returned from freak fan accident

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Dave Eichhorn 1989 Albuquerque Dukes baseball card

University of Miami pitcher Dave Eichhorn proved stellar early in the 1983 season, according to The Miami News.

By late March, his ERA had dropped to 0.82, The News wrote.

"Dave Eichhorn is special," Miami associate head coach Skip Bertman told The News. "He has really been magnificent."

His showing that year ultimately helped get him drafted. His pro career then lasted seven seasons. But that career ultimately an injury helped end, a freak injury involving a fan. He topped out at AAA.

Eichhorn's career began that year in 1983, taken by the Dodgers in the eighth round of the draft out of Miami. Eichhorn's brother Mark Eichhorn also played, and made the majors.

Eichhorn started with the Dodgers at single-A Lodi. He went 2-5, with a 5.36 ERA. He moved to single-A Bakersfield for 1984, then AA San Antonio for 1985.

For 1986, he made AAA Albuquerque for 39 appearances, 38 in relief. He went 5-6, with a 5.00 ERA.

Going into 1987, his fifth season as a pro, Eichhorn spoke to his hometown Santa Cruz Sentinel about his outlook.

"You know never to give up," Eichhorn told The Sentinel. "As long as you have that opportunity, as long as you have that uniform on, you always have a shot at it."

Eichhorn played that year back at San Antonio. He returned there again for 1988. For 1989, he started back at Albuquerque, but he didn't get into a game. Instead, while carrying a radar gun, a running kid hit it, twisting his arm. He suffered a torn labrum.

"I knew right away that something had happened because I felt it and heard something pop," Eichhorn told The Tucson Citizen later. "The next day I woke up and couldn't lift my arm up."

Eichhorn ultimately underwent surgery and worked his way back. He signed with the Astros for 1990. He played at both AA Columbus and AAA Tucson to end his career.

Dave Eichhorn 1989 Albuquerque Dukes baseball card


1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:4,556
Made the Majors:1,439-31.6%
Never Made Majors:3,117-68.4%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:585
10+ Seasons in the Minors:359

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