Coming off a spectacular year at AA Jackson, Dave Trautwein had high hopes for 1990. He was on the Mets 40-man roster. But with spring training virtually wiped out by the 1990 lockout, Trautwein found himself unprepared for the next step."A couple of times I had no one to throw to so I just threw at a brick wall," Trautwein told The Daily Press of Hampton Roads, Va., that April, adding later, "It got to the point where I didn't think I was going to get a chance to play this year."
Once the season started, Trautwein ended up hitting another brick wall, the proverbial kind.
Taken by the Mets in the 22nd round of the 1987 draft, Trautwein was the brother of would-be major leaguer John Trautwein. Despite spending six seasons in professional baseball, the younger Trautwein never followed his father to the majors.
He made AA Jackson that year in 1989, posting a 1.65 ERA. But by May 11, 1990, at AAA Tidewater, Trautwein's ERA had nearly hit 6.00, The Daily Press wrote.
"I got off to a slow start because I didn't throw due to a short spring training," Trautwein told The Daily Press that August. "What hurt me during the first month of the season is that I lost a little confidence. It's a different level up here. It's a lot tougher. I realized I couldn't pitch the way I pitched in Jackson."
He improved that to 3.80 mark in 51 games. But it was too late. He spent much of 1991 back at AA and 1992 in independent ball and his professional career was done.
These days, Trautwein is working with his father, former minor leaguer Jack Trautwein, instructing younger players in suburban Chicago with Professional Baseball Instruction of Illinois.
- Newport News Daily Press April 6, 1990: Tidewater Pitcher A Victim Of Lockout-shortened Spring
- Newport News Daily Press, Aug. 5, 1990: Tidewater Tides Report
- Arlington Heights Daily Herald, February 2008: Indoor baseball facility planned for Lake Barrington
More: The 1990 Tidewater Tides
Cards Reviewed: 92/880 - 10.5%
Made the Majors: 56 - 61%
Never Made the Majors: 36 - 39%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 20
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 32
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