Randy Kutcher knew his role over 5 major league seasons
But those other jobs made him appreciate his baseball job even more, he told The Courant.
"I love baseball," Kutcher told The Courant. "I realize everybody has to have their roles. Starters have their roles, and guys on the bench have their roles."
Kutcher spent his career largely as a guy on the bench. He also saw five major league seasons over 14 total pro campaigns.
Kutcher's career began in 1979, taken by the Giants in the fourth round of the draft out of Palmdale High School in California. He was born in Anchorage, Alaska.
Kutcher started with the Giants at rookie Great Falls. He hit .253 in 65 games. He then moved to single-A Clinton for 1980, then made AA Shreveport in 1981 and AAA Phoenix in 1983.
In June 1986, he made San Francisco. He singled in his first major league at bat, then homered later in the same game.
"Singling right away was nice," Kutcher told The Oakland Tribune afterward, "but then I had good pitches to hit and struck out twice. The homer was on a fastball up and away. I have power to all fields, so I go with the pitch."
Kutcher saw 71 games with the Giants that year. He hit .237, with seven home runs. He returned for 14 games in 1987 and moved to the Red Sox for 19 more games in 1988.
He then saw 77 games for the Red Sox in 1989 and hit .225. That August, he spoke to The Courant about life in the majors.
"I wish everybody could have a week in the big leagues, so they'd know what it's like," Kutcher told The Courant. "It's the greatest feeling you've ever had in your life."
Kutcher saw another 63 games with the Red Sox in 1990, along with 35 games at AAA Pawtucket. He played 1991 with the Tigers at AAA Toledo and 1992 in Mexico with Monterrey to end his career.
- Oakland Tribune, June 20, 1986: Giants
- Hartford Courant, July 24, 1989: Kutcher cementing his role with team
- Miami Herald, Hartford Courant, Aug. 7, 1989: Kutcher cherishes big-time obscurity
Made the Majors:1,483-31.5%-X
Never Made Majors:3,221-68.5%