John Green followed father Dallas to pros, saw 6 seasons
.jpg)
After John Green turned pro in 1985, signed by the Cubs out of the University of Arizona, the attention often turned to his father, who also happened to be the Cubs president and general manager Dallas Green.
But for John Green, the move from college to the pros as something he had long looked forward to, Green told The Bristol Herald Courier that July.
"Sure it helped having Dallas Green as my father," John Green told The Herald Courier. "He knew I wasn't going to be drafted because I hadn't pitched that much in college. The Cubs felt I wasn't a prospect yet but that I could become one if I worked hard enough and developed."
Green eventually saw time over six pro seasons, later following his father to the Yankees system. He ultimately topped out at AAA.
Green's career began that year in 1985, signed by the Yankees as a free agent out of Arizona.
Green played his first season with the Cubs at rookie Wytheville. He went 4-0, with a 7.11 ERA in 20 outings, one start.
He played 1986 largely at short-season Geneva, where he went 4-6, with a 3.00 ERA in 26 outings, two starts.
Green played 1987 between single-A Peoria and Winston-Salem and then 1988 largely at Winston-Salem.
In July 1988, Green spoke to The Potomac News for a feature on players whose fathers also played.
"My life has always been surrounded by baseball," Green told The News.
For 1989, Green moved to the Yankees, where his father had become manager.
"People will say that I'm just following my father around wherever he goes," Green told The Hackensack Record that March. "In a sense that's true. I've gotten exposure because of him. But I also am under the scrutiny of more people. Most of what I've attained, I did on my own."
Green split 1989 between single-A Fort Lauderdale and AA Albany-Colonie. He went 2-4, with a 3.05 ERA in 41 total outings on the year.
For 1990, he saw five games at high-A Fort Lauderdale and two at AAA Columbus. That season marked his last as a pro.
Green later spent time as a scout with the Orioles.
- Bristol Herald Courier, July 16, 1985: Son of Cubs' executive getting his shot at pro ball
- Potomac News, July 26, 1988: Son of a star
- Hackensack Record, March 9, 1989: Yankees' rookie pitcher looks to be a little Green
Made the Majors:1,461-31.8%
Never Made Majors:3,140-68.2%-X