Tim Meeks, Fine Pitching - 14

The Lodi News-Sentinel described Tim Meeks' outing in early April 1983 for single-A Lodi as fine pitching.

Meeks' fine pitching involved eight innings of four-hit ball without giving up an earned run, according to The News-Sentinel.

"I had excellent control of my curve and slider," Meeks told The News-Sentinel. "Usually when I have a real good fastball I have trouble with my breaking stuff, but tonight I had it going."

Meeks had even better control a couple weeks later for Lodi when he threw a no hitter. Meeks, however, never pitched well enough to make the bigs. He saw nine pro seasons, made it to AAA over six seasons, but he never made the majors.

Meeks' career began in 1982, taken by the Dodgers in the 19th round of the draft out of Santa Rosa Junior College in California.

Meeks played his first season with the Dodgers at rookie Lethbridge. He went 7-4 over 14 starts, with a 3.24 ERA. He threw a complete game against Helena for his sixth win on the year.

He played 1983 at Lodi. By early July, he was 10-0. He picked up his 10th win on another complete game. He also threw his no-hitter April 26. Overall, he went 14-4, with a 2.35 ERA.

Meeks then moved to AA San Antonio and continued his good pitching. He went 14-8, with a 3.48 ERA and made the league all-star team.

His first look at AAA came in 1985 at Albuquerque. He went 12-15 over 29 starts, with a 3.93 ERA. He returned to Albuquerque for 1986 and 1987, before the Dodgers traded him mid-1987 to the Athletics.

Meeks finished 1987 at AAA Tacoma and returned there for 1988. He saw just eight starts in 1988, with a 6.14 ERA. Arm problems then shelved him for 1989.

He returned in 1990 and played largely at AA Midland. He also saw high-A Palm Springs and AAA Edmonton. He then played 1991 at AAA Buffalo and pitched well enough in July to throw his first complete-game shutout in six years, according to The Buffalo News.

"The thing that they've been talking to me about is slowing my pace down," Meeks told The News afterward. "I'm very quick. I get the ball and I go, go, go. Tonight they held me back."

Meeks went 4-8 overall that year over 36 outings, 18 starts. He also had a 3.89 ERA. That year marked his final year as a pro.

• Lodi News-Sentinel, April 14, 1983: Lodi Dodgers shade Reno 2-1
• Buffalo News, July 5, 1991: Meeks tosses gem as Herd blanks Tides

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 2,934
Made the Majors:1,089-37.1%
Never Made Majors:1,845-62.9%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 451
10+ Seasons in the Minors:271