Cam Biberdorf set the Vero Beach saves record in 1990, then set the Dodgers organization record for saves with one team 25, The Indian River Press Journal wrote.
Biberdorf looked ahead the next spring, noting that even with that success, the ultimate success might still be elusive, he told The Press Journal the next March.
"If I don't get the opportunity (to play in the majors), when it comes time for this to end, at least I'll have one record to look back on," Biberdorf told The Press Journal
For Biberdorf, he played one more season - his fourth as a pro - and then got to look back on that record. He topped out at AA.
Biberdorf's career began in 1988, taken by the Dodgers in the 33rd round of the draft out of Mayville State University in North Dakota. He went to Mayville after growing up in Manatoba, Canada.
At Mayville in 1988, Biberdorf won the league's most valuable graduating senior honor and made the all-conference team.
He started with the Dodgers at rookie Great Falls. He went 2-2, with a 2.59 ERA over 27 relief outings. He saved eight.
He moved to single-A Bakersfield for 1989 and saw 51 mostly relief outings. He went 8-6, with a 3.39 ERA and saved five.
Then came Biberdorf's season at Vero Beach. In 48 relief outings, he went 6-4, with a 2.00 ERA - and those 25 saves. He tied the Vero Beach save record in July, with his 19th.
Biberdorf picked up a playoff save that September, striking out five of the six batters he faced - the last three on nine-consecutive pitches, The Press Journal wrote.
"I didn't even realize it," Biberdorf told The Press Journal afterward of what he'd done. "I don't even remember what the last guy looked like. The second to last guy, I looked at him once. But all I saw was (catcher Mike) Piazza's glove."
Biberdorf returned to Vero Beach for 33 outings in 1991. He also saw 14 at AA San Antonio. He went 4-5 overall, with nine saves and a 3.93 ERA to end his career.
- Indian River Press Journal, Sept. 5, 1990: Biberdorf Gets Relief After Save
- Indian River Press Journal, March 2, 1991: Vero Dodgers break season records
Made the Majors:1,291-33.6%
Never Made Majors:2,551-66.4%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:528
10+ Seasons in the Minors:322
More 1990 Minor Leaguers:
- Dave Bialas used baseball instincts over decades in game, 2/5/19
- Eric Bickhardt took competitiveness to pros, saw 4 seasons, 5/21/14
- Greg Bicknell won early pro title, played 20 years in minors, 10/19/13
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