Thursday, February 18, 2010

Brian Meyer, Would-be Closer - 604

Check out the revisited Brian Meyer feature from November 2011: Brian Meyer, Hanging Slider

Relief pitcher Brian Meyer had spent parts of three seasons in the majors by spring 1991 and now he was being talked about for the coveted closer's job.

It was Meyer, Al Osuna and one of the newest Astros, Curt Schilling, up for the job.

"I'm satisfied with what we have in the bullpen," Astros manager Art Howe said in a January 1991 article. "We have a ton of arms. But what I'm really concerned about is finding a closer."

Osuna had 12 saves for the Astros in 1991; Schilling, a fellow member of the 1990 CMC set, had 8 saves. Meyer had none.

In fact, Meyer didn't even make the Astros roster, or any other major league roster again.

Meyer first made the Astros as a September call-up in 1988. He pitched in eight games and 12.1 innings that month, giving up only two earned runs.

Meyer was taken by the Astros in the 16th round of the 1986 draft, spending that year at short-season Auburn. The next year, at Osceola in the Florida State League, Meyer showed his closing skills, saving 25 games and posting a 1.99 ERA.

He got his first major league save in 1989 on Sept. 20. He pitched the bottom of the 14th, walked one, struck out one, closing out a 7-6 Astros win.

His second, and what would turn out to be his final, major league save came Sept. 12, 1990, also in an extra inning affair. He pitched a third of an inning, giving up one hit, but preserving the 3-1 Houston victory. That game was also notable in that the Astros went ahead in the top of the 13th on the first major league hit by CMC setter Mike Simms.

While he had been mentioned for the Astros closer slot in 1991, Meyer wouldn't play with the Astros, in the majors or minors, that year. He went on to sign with the Mariners, playing in 18 games for AAA Calgary. He also went on to the Indians organization that year, playing in 14 games for AA Canton, ending his baseball career.

1990 CMC Tally
Cards Reviewed: 53/880 - 6.0%
Made the Majors: 32 - 60%
Never Made the Majors: 21 - 40%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 12
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 17

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