Tom Kane gave himself another shot, saw 5 seasons, AA
Tom Kane seemingly got off to a good start as a minor leaguer for the Red Sox, but then came arm problems and the loss of more than a season an a half, The Tampa Bay Times wrote in 1991.
"But," he told The Times that August, "I wondered what I could do if my arm was okay. That's why I went back last year. I wanted to give myself that shot."
Kane gave himself that shot and, in 1991, he made AA New Britain. That season at New Britain, however, proved his last. He saw five seasons.
Kane's career began in 1986, signed by the Red Sox as a free agent out of Manatee Community College in Florida.
At Manatee, Kane rattled off 11-straight victories on the mound by early May in 1985, with a 0.87 ERA, all after losing two of his first three, The Bradenton Herald wrote.
"I expected to have a good year, but I didn't think I'd get off to the start I did," Kane told The Herald. "I was really happy with the way I finished the season after the start I had."
Kane started with the Red Sox at single-A Greensboro. He went 3-3, with a 3.87 ERA in 28 outings, one start. He returned to Greensboro for 1987 and another 29 outings. He then saw his abbreviated 1988 with single-A Lynchburg, 10 outings.
After missing 1989, he returned to high-A Winter Haven for 1990. He saw 34 outings and went 2-5, with a 3.72 ERA and five saves.
He then arrived at New Britain for 1991. That August, Kane started and threw a complete game, three-hitter, The Hartford Courant wrote.
"I'm kind of happy they have me starting because I'm getting my innings in - and I'm showing there are no questions about my arm," Kane told The Courant then.
Kane went 4-8 overall for New Britain that year in 41 outings, 10 starts. He had a 4.55 ERA to end his career.
- Bradenton Herald, May 3, 1985: MCC pitcher Kane finished season strongly
- Tampa Bay Times, Aug. 1, 1991: Kane looks for solid footing on Red Sox mound
- Hartford Courant, Aug. 16, 1991: Fourth-inning antics key Britsox victory
Made the Majors:1,482-31.6%
Never Made Majors:3,215-68.4%-X