Rich Langan took pro shot, saw two seasons, rookie ball
Rich Langan recounted his path to pro ball to his hometown White Plains Reporter Dispatch in August 1989.
It went through two tryouts in two different states. Both teams originally wanted to watch him in college. One team, though, the Mets, called back, the scout wanting him to get back the tryout, The Reporter Dispatch wrote.
"It was too far of a ride for me to do that, but luckily he call back later that evening and asked me if I really wanted to play pro ball right now," Langan told The Reporter Dispatch. "When I said yes, he said they'd give me a shot."
Langan got his shot. It ultimately lasted two seasons, slowed by injury. He played both in rookie ball.
Langan's career began that year in 1989, signed by the Mets as a free agent out the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Franciscan High in New York State.
Langan started with the Mets in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He saw eight relief outings, nine innings. He gave up nine earned and took a loss. He also underwent elbow surgery.
For 1990, he returned to the GCL. He saw another 12 outings, one start. He went 2-2, with a 4.44 ERA.
Going into 1991, Langan told The Green Bay Press-Gazette he believed he was healthy and that his 1990 campaign had been a rebuilding year.
"This year is going to be a test," Langan told The Press-Gazette that February. "My arm is fine. It's 100 percent."
Langan, however, did not make it back to a team in 1991, ending his career.
- White Plains Reporter Dispatch, Aug. 20, 1989: Franciscan grad Langan making his pitch with Mets
- Green Bay Press-Gazette, Feb. 27, 1991: Wilmet refuses to let dream die
Made the Majors:1,468-31.8%
Never Made Majors:3,151-68.2%-X