Michael Shull played, then coached kids: Baseball Profiles

Angels farmhand Michael Shull once played as an outfielder and catcher, The Desert Sun wrote to start the 1987 season.

But he'd since been converted to pitching and he impressed his new manager at single-A Palm Springs, Bill Lachemann, The Sun wrote.

"He looked strong in spring camp," Lachemann told The Sun. "He goes out after guys."

Shull ultimately went after them over three seasons. He topped out at high-A.

Shull's career began in 1986, signed by the Angels as an undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech University.

Shull started with the Angels at single-A Quad City, already competing as a pitcher. He saw 35 outings, one start. He went 1-5, with a 2.53 ERA and saved three. he also saw a start at single-A Palm Springs.

He returned to Palm Springs full time for 1987. He started the year going 41 innings, while giving up just four earned runs for a 0.86 ERA. He cited work with the Angels' minor league pitching instructor and his pitching coach for his run, The Sun wrote. 

Shull finished the year with 28 relief outings, seven saves and a 2.06 ERA.

But then Shull isn't recorded as playing in either 1988 or 1989. He returned to the field for 1990, back at high-A Palm Springs. Shull saw 15 outings, three starts. He went 0-6, with a 6.99 ERA to end his career.

Shull soon returned home to Texas, worked in accounting and coached kids. He coached a local San Antonio team to the Little League World Series in 2009.

He passed away in July 2020 after a battle with COVID-19. 

"His two favorite mottos were: 'Kill them with kindness.' and 'It's bad luck to be superstitious,'" his obituary read. "Mike was a strong, kind man with a big heart and an infectious smile. His quick-witted and sarcastic humor filled any room."

• Desert Sun, April 9, 1987: Lachemann picks Burcham (10-12) to open against Ports
• Desert Sun, May 30, 1987: Palm Springs Angels notes
• News4SanAntonio.com, July 10, 2020: Former McAllister Park coach Mike Shull passes away
• Obituary: Michael E. Shull

More: The 1990 Palm Springs Angels

1990 Minor League Tally 

Players/Coaches Featured:4,352
Made the Majors:1,401-32.2%
Never Made Majors:2,951-67.8%-X

5+ Seasons in the Majors:570
10+ Seasons in the Minors:352

Masahiro Kuboto knew acupuncture: Baseball Profiles

Masahiro Kuboto may not have been interesting enough to name, but what he did was.

Kuboto served as the trainer for the 1990 Salinas Spurs and his specialty was acupuncture, something writers featuring the unusual minor league that melded players from Japan and the United States invariably referenced, though without actually naming Kuboto.

"The eight (Japanese) players - plus the Japanese manager, batting coach and trainer specializing in acupuncture - belong to the Salinas Spurs," The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote in a feature on the team that June.

Kuboto actually joined the team through its Japanese manager Hide Koga. Koga brought Kuboto with him to be trainer and to administer acupuncture to players when needed, The Associated Press wrote in a story that also did not name Kuboto. This version put the acupuncture reference in the headline.

Kuboto grew up in Nagoya City, Japan, located between Tokyo and Osaka. He went to school in Tokyo and made that his off-season home, according to his card back. 

He actually graduated that March in 1990 from Acupuncture/Chiropractic College in Japan. He also had an acupuncture/massage license, his card reads.

Kuboto also got a reference in a New York Daily News article that May on Salinas, also not by name, as "a trainer who specializes in acupuncture."

That season appeared to be Kuboto's only season in the minors.

• Santa Cruz Sentinel, Associated Press, April 9, 1990: Spurs: acupuncture and dictionaries
• New York Daily News, May 21, 1990: Getting oriented with the Orient
• Philadelphia Inquirer, June 24, 1990: One baseball team, two cultures

More: The 1990 Salinas Spurs

1990 Minor League Tally 

Players/Coaches Featured:4,352
Made the Majors:1,401-32.2%
Never Made Majors:2,951-67.8%-X

5+ Seasons in the Majors:570
10+ Seasons in the Minors:352

Yoshi Okamoto has had long sports career: Baseball Profiles

Asked in 2015 to name some of the more influential people in his long and varied career in the sports business, Yoshi Okamoto cited influences from throughout his career, for JoeFavorito.com.

He cited New Jersey Nets executive Jon Spoelstra, and minor league baseball team owners Bobby Brett and Joe Buzas, all of whom Okamoto had worked with over more than a quarter century in sports, JoeFavorito.com wrote.

"I've had the chance to work under them during my career in the United States, and I'm thankful for the fair opportunities they gave me despite the language barrier," Okamoto told the site.

Okamoto's long sports career began in the United States with the Salinas Spurs, owned by Joe Buzas.

Okamoto graduated from Chuo in Tokyo, where he played baseball. He found his way to Salinas by 1989, described in one account that summer as an intern. 

By the start of 1990, Okamoto was the team's operations manager. He then shared general manager duties after the original GM departed mid-year.

By 1993, Okamoto was with the Nets, as team director of international marketing. 

To start 1996, he had the title New Jersey-based sports consultant as he worked with Team Japan, getting ready for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

"Everything's perfect so far," Okamoto told The Fort Myers News-Press in February 1996 of early workouts there.

Okamoto joined the Twins as director of Pacific Rim Baseball operations by 2003. He commented to The News-Press that March on new Yankee Hideki Matsui and how powerful Matsui might be for fans.

"If he hits 30 homers it will be great," Okamoto told The News-Press.

He then became a part-owner of a minor league team himself, the Tri-City Dust Devils.

• Fort Myers News-Press, Feb. 19, 1996: Japanese team in town for tuneup
• Fort Myers News-Press, March 8, 2003: Matsui
• JoeFavorito.com, Dec. 28, 2015: Sports Business, Japanese American Style, Catching Up With Yoshi Okamoto

More: The 1990 Salinas Spurs

1990 Minor League Tally 

Players/Coaches Featured:4,351
Made the Majors:1,401-32.2%
Never Made Majors:2,950-67.8%-X

5+ Seasons in the Majors:570
10+ Seasons in the Minors:352

Mike Spiers trailblazed in travel ball: Baseball Profiles

Mike Spiers started his work in college baseball and, briefly, in the pros. But he went on to make his name in another type of baseball, travel baseball.

His work in travel baseball grew so much that the American Baseball Coaches Association called Spiers "a trailblazer in travel baseball" when it posthumously award him its 2024 ABCA Travel & Youth Baseball Service Award. Spiers passed away in 2013.

"Beyond his success on the field, Spiers was widely-known for teaching not only baseball skills, but giving his players the tools to succeed in everyday life," the association wrote in its award announcement.

Spiers' work in baseball began in the 1980s, in college, where he played catcher. He then served as a coach at San Jose State University in 1987, then at San Mateo College in 1988 and 1989. 

For 1990, he signed on as a coach with independent Salinas, but his tenure proved brief. He was out by the end of April.

By 1992, Spiers started Amateur Baseball Development in Corona, Calif., described by the coaches association as one of the first travel teams.

The association credited Spiers with 14 national championships and with working with young players Nolan Arenado, Christian Yelich and Anthony Rizzo.

Spiers also worked as a scout for the Mariners, coached the Ecuador national team and ran his baseball academy, The Los Angeles Times wrote. His son Joe Spiers went on to play in the minors.

Spiers also scouted for the Braves and worked with the scouting organization Perfect Game. In 2008, he ran a showcase in Hawaii that resulted in four players getting junior college scholarship offers, West Hawaii Today wrote.

Hawaii youth coach Kaha Wong told West Hawaii Today, "We played two games, and he offered those kids scholarships. That's something that no coach in Hilo or anybody else has done for these kids except Mike Spiers from Perfect Game."

Upon his passing in 2013, Perfect Game's Andy Ford recalled Spiers as being closely involved with them, spending "just as much time helping Perfect Game as he did his own programs."

"He sent hundreds of players to college and professional baseball and many of the players he helped never donned an ABD uniform," Ford wrote. "Mike was never shy about sharing his opinion, and he did so intent on improving the game of baseball."

• Los Angeles Times, March 31, 2004: Spiers Has a Streak in Him
• West Hawaii Today, Jan. 17, 2008: Four Big Islanders get scholarship offers at Perfect Game showcase
• Perfect Game, Jan. 18, 2013: ABD legend Spiers passes away
• ABCA.org: Dec. 6, 2023: Spiers, Cooke to be honored with ABCA Travel & Youth Baseball Service Awards

More: The 1990 Salinas Spurs

1990 Minor League Tally 

Players/Coaches Featured:4,350
Made the Majors:1,401-32.2%
Never Made Majors:2,949-67.8%-X

5+ Seasons in the Majors:570
10+ Seasons in the Minors:352

John Jonas had brief, busy stint as Salians Spurs GM

As general manager of the independent Salinas Spurs, John Jonas already had his work cut out for him.

He needed to assemble a workable team, get fans in the stands, court advertisers and do it all in the competitive California League in his first job as a minor league general manager.

"This is a city with great potential," Jonas told The Salinas Californian late that March has he tried to do all those things. "Most of it is unharnessed. The question is, how do you reach that potential?"

Jonas, however, never really could succeed in any of those, all leading to his tenure as Salinas GM proving brief. He was out by the end of June.

Jonas arrived in Salinas from his native Connecticut. He'd served the previous year as business manager for the Joe Buzas-owned New Britain Red Sox. Buzas also owned the Salinas Spurs.

Jonas' 1989 campaign with New Britain also marked his first with that club. The Hartford Courant noted Jonas came from a hockey background, playing at Andrew Warde High School in Fairfield, Conn. and officiating youth hockey.

The team went down to the wire signing players. Days before opening, they had 18, including a unique eight-player loan from Japan's Daiei Hawks, The Californian wrote.

"We need to sign a few more," Jonas told The Californian five days before their scheduled opener. "We expect to have everyone signed in the next day or two."

Jonas also became the point man for updates on one signing, in particular, former Dodgers hurler Steve Howe as Howe attempted to make it back to the majors after well-publicized drug troubles. 

Early that June, Howe suffered a blood clot in his lung and was hospitalized for a time. Jonas updated media outlets on Howe's progress.

Elsewhere with the team, Jonas had watch over a team with such varying backgrounds. In a Philadelphia Inquirer feature on the Japanese aspect of the team that June, talk turned to low attendance and the locals just not noticing the team.

"The fans don't care about the Japanese ballplayers one way or the other," Jonas told The Inquirer. "They're just not eager to watch a last-place club."

Frustrations boiled over that June 26, though. A dispute with the team's operations director led Jonas to contact Buzas. By the end of the call, Jonas was out, The Californian wrote. Buzas cited Jonas' limited experience. Jonas just expressed frustration.

"You couldn't print what I want to say," a heated Jonas told The Californian the night of the call. "I'm very angry. But I feel a sense of relief. The pressure's off."

Jonas appears not to have returned to baseball. Searches for his whereabouts post-Salinas proved unsuccessful.

• Salinas Californian, March 24, 1990: Spurs: Tough sell
• Salinas Californian, April 3, 1990: Spur roster puzzle takes shape, piece by piece
• Philadelphia Inquirer, June 24, 1990: One minor-league club, two cultures
• Salinas Californian, June 27, 1990: Spurs lose game and their GM
• Salinas Californian, June 29, 1990: Spurs changes on deck

More: The 1990 Salinas Spurs

1990 Minor League Tally 

Players/Coaches Featured:4,349
Made the Majors:1,401-32.2%
Never Made Majors:2,948-67.8%-X

5+ Seasons in the Majors:570
10+ Seasons in the Minors:352

Steve Meredith screamed when he signed, saw 3 seasons

After going undrafted and attending several tryouts without signing on with a team, East Tennessee State alum Steve Meredith finally got noticed, The Kingsport Times-News wrote.

With some encouragement and some recommendations, he got a tryout with the Orioles, and he waited, The Times-News wrote.

"They told me they'd call, but I didn't get excited. I couldn't anymore," Meredith told The Times-News in July 1988. "When he called, he said he might have a place for me. After I hung up, I rattled the rafters her with the scream."

Meredith signed with the Orioles and began his pro career. His pro career would last three seasons. He topped out at high-A.

Meredith's career began that year in 1988, signed by the Orioles as an undrafted free agent out of East Tennessee State.

At East Tennessee State, Meredith hit .419 to lead the team. He also hit three home runs and had a .557 slugging percentage.

"My attitude about hitting is that every time I go to the plate, I haven't had a hit yet. I'm zero for zero," Meredith told The Johnson City Press at East Tennessee State in April 1988. "I'm trying to be consistent but what ticks me off is that yesterday I popped the ball up. I wasn't consistent."

Meredith played with the Orioles at rookie Bluefield. He got into 40 games and hit .267, with five home runs. He hit those five home runs in the span of nine days. That season marked his only campaign in the Baltimore system.

Meredith then signed with independent Reno for 1989. He saw 28 games there and hit .197. He then signed for 1990 with independent Salinas. He saw 15 games, getting three hits in one. But he was released by the time April was out, ending his career.

• Johnson City Press, April 9, 1988: ETSU's Meredith setting sights high
• Kingsport Times-News, July 8, 1988: Former Buccaneer outfielder to sign with Orioles

More: The 1990 Salinas Spurs

1990 Minor League Tally 

Players/Coaches Featured:4,348
Made the Majors:1,401-32.2%
Never Made Majors:2,947-67.8%-X

5+ Seasons in the Majors:570
10+ Seasons in the Minors:352

Greg Mannion got college confidence, had short career

Cal State-Fullerton outfielder Greg Mannion struggled toward the end of the 1988 season, leading him to the bench, The Los Angeles Times wrote.

But, by the time the post-season came around, Mannion was back, The Times wrote.

"(Coach) has told me he's going to stick with me, for my bat and my defense," Mannion told The Times. "That helps me a lot. It gives me a lot of confidence and now I'm just having fun."

Mannion ultimately had enough fun in college to sign with a pro team. His pro career, however, proved brief, just seven games.

Mannion's brief career began and ended in 1990, signed by the independent Salinas Spurs.

With Cal State-Fullerton, Mannion hit a grand slam in a February 1988 game, part of a big 22-5 win, The Arizona Daily Star wrote.

"A hell of a good day," Mannion told The Daily Star.

Mannion started with Salinas in 1990. His stint lasted seven games. He picked up five hits in 22 at bats. He also stole two bases. By the end of that April, he'd been released, ending his career.

• Arizona Daily Star, Feb. 13, 1988: 'Awful' Wildcats trounced by Cal State-Fullerton. 22-5
• Los Angeles Times, May 29, 1988: Mannion Returns to Lineup and Delivers

More: The 1990 Salinas Spurs

1990 Minor League Tally 

Players/Coaches Featured:4,347
Made the Majors:1,401-32.2%
Never Made Majors:2,946-67.8%-X

5+ Seasons in the Majors:570
10+ Seasons in the Minors:352