Jim Manfred played six minors seasons with Mets, Saints
"Those of us who were in extended spring training before the league opened in June have been with him for three months now and it's unbelievable how easy he makes it," Manfred told Newsday of Koosman.
Manfred went on to see three seasons in the Mets system, making it to single-A. He then turned to independent ball and his home state St. Paul Saints, playing three seasons with them.
Manfred's career began in 1990, taken by the Mets in the 35th round of the draft out of Indian Hills Community College in Iowa. He grew up in Bloomington, Minnesota.
Manfred started with the Mets in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He saw 14 games, starting 3. He went 1-3, with a 3.18 ERA.
Manfred then moved to Pittsfield for 1991. He went 6-4, with a 3.18 ERA. He arrived at single-A Columbia for 1992 and went 3-4 with a 4.18 ERA in 32 outings, one start, ending his Mets career.
Manfred started his independent career with St. Paul in 1993. A rainout meant the Minnesota native to to start the home opener, something Manfred welcomed, The Minneapolis Star Tribune wrote.
"I guess they're going to have to fit 25 to 30 more people in there," Manfred told The Star Tribune, referencing the sold-out opener and his expected family and friends.
Manfred went 5-4, with a 2.06 ERA over 18 outings, 10 starts with the Saints in 1993. He returned for 20 more outings, 13 starts in 1994 and had a 4.82 ERA.
He played in Italy in 1995, but returned for one final season in 1996 as he went 12-5, with a 4.15 ERA in 34 outings, six starts.
Going into 1997, Manfred still hoped for a spring training shot with a team, as he contemplated playing the year with independent Duluth-Superior, The Duluth News-Tribune wrote.
"For me, baseball's still No. 1 right now," Manfred told The News-Tribune that February. "If I could get a spring training shot, I'd walk (there). I really wish something would happen. After the year I had last year, I thought I would."
Manfred's 1996 season, however, proved his last.
- Newsday, July 23, 1991: Kooz and his kids
- Minneapolis Star Tribune, June 18, 1993: All the comfort of home for Saints
- Duluth News-Tribune, Feb. 16, 1997: Manfred is iffy with Dukes
Made the Majors:1,468-31.8%
Never Made Majors:3,147-68.2%-X