T.J. Lucin hoped to be FMLBBP, saw 2 seasons, single-A

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T.J. Lucin's main goal was so ingrained in his playing that he wrote it on each piece of equipment he had - "FMLBBP," The Berwyn Life wrote upon his selection by the Astros in the 1989 draft.

The abbreviation stood for "future major league baseball player," The Life wrote.

"It's something I've always dreamed of," Lucin told The Life. "In the past, I've done it, but I wasn't so outward about it."

Lucin took a big step toward that goal with his selection that June. But he couldn't sustain his momentum. Lucin ended up playing two seasons. He topped out at single-A.

Lucin's career began that June, taken by the Astros in the 21st round of the draft out of Morton College in Illinois. Lucin was also credited by his given first name, Anthony Lucin.

Lucin arrived at Morton after transferring from Pima Community College in Arizona, as the team needed a catcher. He homered in a May 1989 game for Morton.

As Morton prepared for its 1989 sectional, Lucin talked up his team's chances.

"Everyone on this team knows they're a good club," Lucin told The Life. "We have to be up every minute of the game."

With the Astros, Lucin played 1989 in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He got into 25 games and hit .194.

He then moved to single-A Asheville for 1990. That August, he hit two home runs in three days for five on the year. Overall, he saw 34 games and hit .198 to end his career.


1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:4,548
Made the Majors:1,435-31.6%
Never Made Majors:3,113-68.4%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:582
10+ Seasons in the Minors:359

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