Dale Plummer, Near Larry - 360

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Be sure and check out the revisited Dale Plummer feature from February 2011: Dale Plummer, Close Calls
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The other day I read about Larry Yount, older brother of Hall of Fame Brewer Robin Yount. Larry Yount has the distinction of appearing in only one major league game as a pitcher, but never throwing a pitch. He accomplished that feat by being announced into the game, but getting injured warming up.

Today's player, Dale Plummer, finally got the call-up in 1995. But he never got to even warm up. Apparently unknown to the person making the call, Plummer was injured two days earlier.

"I knew I couldn't pitch because of my groin," Plummer told the Kennebec Journal as he was being inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006. "I would have made my debut in Yankee Stadium."

By 1995, Plummer was in his seventh season in the minors since making his debut with short-season Little Falls, NY in 1988. He was drafted late, in the 23rd round, by the Mets that year. He made it to AAA Tidewater in 1990, spending five seasons in AAA. His 1992 season was cut short by a bout with testicular cancer, but he returned in 1993. He had no record for 1994.

In 1995, Plummer signed on with the Red Sox as a replacement player. He stayed on after the strike ended, assigned to AAA Pawtucket, pitching in 34 games, well enough for that one call-up to Boston. But it wasn't well enough to come back for 1996.

Since his playing days, Plummer has run winter baseball camps and coached. He is currently the baseball coach at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

To read his entire Maine HOF induction story, click here: http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/

1990 CMC Tally
Cards Reviewed: 46/880 - 5.2%
Major Leaguers: 26 - 57%
Never Made the Majors: 20 - 43%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 10
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 16