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Friday, April 2, 2010

1990 Boston Red Sox minor leaguers


Features on each player in the 1990 Boston Red Sox farm system

Complete:

  • AAA - Pawtucket Red Sox (30)
  • AA - New Britain Red Sox (31)
  • High-A - Winter Haven (28)
  • High-A - Lynchburg Red Sox (27)
  • Short-Season - Elmira Pioneers (27)

1990 Pawtucket Red Sox (30)

1 - Steven Bast, His Dream
Steven Bast's played professional baseball. But that wasn't his dream. His dream was in medicine.
2 - Tom Bolton, Know That
Tom Bolton struggled in the minors, he then made the majors in eight seasons.
3 - Scott Cooper, Can Do 
Scott Cooper wasn't trying to replace anyone with the Red Sox in 1993. He just wanted to show what he could do.
4 - Steve Curry, Best Job
Steve Curry knew where he was and what he had to do. He then made the majors for three starts.
5 - Mike Dalton, Excellent Control
Mike Dalton had herky-jerky delivery with control. He played 11 seasons as a pro, made the majors for four games.
6 - John Flaherty, Show Them
John Flaherty proved an early trade was a mistake, then played in 14 major league seasons.
7 - Angel Gonzalez, Filled Out
Angel Gonzalez got called up to the Red Sox for 1990 exhibition game at Pawtucket. He never got called up for an actual game.
8 - Jeff Gray, Breakout Season
Jeff Gray had a breakout season and a career ended by a stroke. He tried a comeback, but he never got back.
9 - Eric Hetzel, Go Pitch
He made the majors, then hoped to stay. Stayed over two seasons.
10 - Daryl Irvine, Sometimes Overthrew
Daryl Irvine saw his Red Sox career end, at the same time he also saw his major league career end after three seasons.
11 - Joe Johnson, Not Nervous
Joe Johnson wasn't nervous for his major league debut. He overcame a first-pitch single to go seven innings.
12 - Rick Lancellotti, Worth It
Rick Lancellotti made the majors, then moved to Japan and finally Italy. He has since become an instructor.
13 - John Leister, Childhood Dream
John Leister's childhood dream wasn't to play baseball. It was football. He still made the majors.
14 - John Marzano, Watch Him Hit
John Marzano impressed a Red Sox great with a quick bat, short stride. He played a decade in the bigs, passed away in 2008.
15 - Julius McDougal, Dazzlingly Paisley
Julius McDougal helped keep spring 1987 fun for the Twins. He spent nine seasons as pro, but he never made the majors.
16 - Mark Meleski, Season Openers
Mark Meleski saw many season openers as a player and coach in the Red Sox and Tigers systems. He never saw an opener in the majors.
17 - Tim Naehring, Harsh Game
Tim Naehring played in eight major league seasons, hit the disabled list seven times.
18 - Ed Nottle, Lifetime Busher
Ed Nottle joined the Army and then got introduced to baseball. He stayed in baseball for 50 years.
19 - Jim Pankovits, This Is Fun
Jim Pankovits waited nine seasons for his call-up. His start had people wondering why he wasn't called up sooner.
20 - Mickey Pina, Studied the Game
Mickey Pina felt he was an major league player. It didn't work out. He played seven seasons in the pros, but he never made majors.
21 - Phil Plantier, Something Else
Phil Plantier had very a aggressive swing. He went on to play in eight major league seasons.
22 - Mike Rochford, Good Stuff
Mike Rochford had the opportunities to execute in three major league seasons. He got into eight total games.
23 - Larry Shikles, Different Pitches
Larry Shikles used his different pitches to make AAA in the Red Sox system, but not the majors.
24 - Lee Stange, Stayed Within
Lee Stange helped the Red Sox to the 1967 league crown, later went on to be a Red Sox coach.
25 - Tito Stewart, Great Experience
Tito Stewart believed every time he pitched well he was closer to the majors. Never pitched well enough.
26 - Jeff Stone, That Job
Jeff Stone did his pushups, he then found out he was in the game. He hit a double, triple, and had 4 RBIs.
27 - John Trautwein, Greatest Experience
John Trautwein worked four seasons to make majors for nine games. After tragedy, he turned his attention to suicide prevention.
28 - Gary Tremblay, Blocked Them
Gary Tremblay showed how to catch in a spring 1989 game. He never got to do so in the majors.
29 - Scott Wade, Kept Doing It
Scott Wade hadn't made the bigs after nine seasons, but he couldn't see himself doing anything else.
30 - Pete Youngman, Track Record
Pete Youngman has a long track record as a trainer - 20 years with the Sacramento Kings.


New Britain Red Sox (31)

1 - Steve Archibald, New Mascot
Steve Archibald thought about the new Rock Cats mascot, then thought Elvis.
2 - Jeff Bagwell, Good Numbers
Jeff Bagwell looked for playing time with the Red Sox. He got it and then some with the Astros.
3 - Gerry Berthiaume, Loved It
Working as a minor league general manager was in Gerry Berthiaume's blood. 
4 - Mike Carista, Supposed To
Mike Carista needed to continue his success at AA. He did, but he never made AAA.
5 - Vinnie Degifico, Big Bat
Vinnie Degifico was the big bat single-A team needed. He never was as big bat in the majors.
6 - Tom Fischer, Level of Play
Tom Fischer found the pro game similar to college. He never made the majors.
7 - Don Florence, Held Them
Don Florence went out there and held them and he did so in the bigs.
8 - Rich Gale, Had To
Rich Gale played seven major league seasons, had a long coaching career. He was also there at a 1981 tragedy.
9 - Butch Hobson, Back Up
Butch Hobson got back up to the majors as a manager. He later got back up in a different way after drug arrest.
10 - Gordon Hurlbert, Career Move
Trainer Gordon Hurlbert made a career move to the NHL.
11 - John Kameisha, Happy To
John Kameisha has happily worked in MiLB for 30 years.
12 - Mike Kelly, Successful Run
Mike Kelly had a successful run in college. His professional run lasted four seasons.
13 - Derek Livernois, Players Dream
Derek Livernois lived his dream to play pro ball. He did so for nine seasons, just not in the majors.
14 - Josias Manzanillo, His Stuff
Josias Manzanillo's manager with the Mets wanted him to use his stuff. He was later accused of using other stuff.
15 - Julius McDougal, Dazzlingly Paisley
Julius McDougal helped keep spring 1987 fun for the Twins. He never could do so in a major league game.
16 - Dave Milstien, Remained Determined
Dave Milstien worked to get himself ready for the majors. He played nine pro seasons, never played in the bigs.
17 - Kevin Morton, Learning Experience
Kevin Morton took his major league stint as a learning experience. He didn't get another stint.
18 - Dan O'Neill, Awful Good
Dan O'Neill changed teams and had a breakout year, but not enough to make the majors.
19 - Dave Owen, Had Gone
Dave Owen was once a prospect, then he hurt his shoulder. His career ended soon afterward.
20 - Juan Paris, Key To
Juan Paris was key to New Britain win in 1991. He played in eight seasons, never made the majors. 
21 - Jeff Plympton, Huge Thrill
Jeff Plympton tried to show he belonged. He didn't give up a major league run, then he never got back.
22 - Todd Pratt, Bench Player
Todd Pratt showed he could still play, then played for another decade plus.
23 - Randy Randle, His Efforts
Randy Randle helped power his team to Junior College World Series. He couldn't power himself to the bigs.
24 - Bob Spencer, Card Investor
Bob Spencer invested in cards. He passed away in 1998.
25 - Mike Twardoski, His Fundamentals
Mike Twardoski showed his fundamentals in college, later turned to teaching those as a college coach.
26 - John Valentin, Rare Fetes
John Valentin achieved a major league cycle and an unassisted triple play.
27 - Dave Walters, Good Makeup
Dave Walters was the type of pitcher coaches liked, but not enough to make the majors.
28 - Eric Wedgem Liked It
Eric Wedge showed the Red Sox what he could do as a player. He later did same as manager with the Indians and the Mariners.
29 - Stuart Weidie Grand Fashion
Stuart Weidie helped his school to its first College World Series, played five pro seasons. He's now in the gas industry.
30 - Craig Wilson, Big Investment
Craig Wilson was a big investment for the Red Sox. The investment didn't pan out.
31 - Bob Zupcic, Good Opportunity
Bob Zupcic felt he could play in his 11th pro season. He played in four major league seasons to that point.

Lynchburg Red Sox (27)

  1. Odie Abril turned to pitching in Legion ball, then played seven pro seasons; Made AA, 3/17/23
  2. Gary Allenson knew his role as minors manager; Made bigs as both player and coach, 3/13/23
  3. Jim Bibby saw military service, back issues, then made bigs over 12 seasons, coached; Passed in 2010, 2/9/23
  4. Greg Blosser saw bigs over two seasons, 22 games in lengthy pro career; Also saw Japan, 2/26/23
  5. Paul Brown looked forward to pro baseball after pick in second round; Saw five seasons, made AA, 2/20/23
  6. James Byrd played seven pro seasons, made bigs for two games, two pinch-running appearances, 3/25/23
  7. Brian Conroy gained velocity through early career; Saw seven seasons, made AAA, 2/27/23
  8. Freddie Davis showed confidence over five pro seasons; Topped out at AA, 3/2/23
  9. Luis Dorante played six seasons as catcher, then turned minors manager, skill evaluator, 3/25/23
  10. David Duchin helped players as minors trainer over at least six seasons with Indians, Red Sox, 3/22/23
  11. Peter Estrada worked hard to pitch, prove himself over six pro seasons; Made AA, 2/10/23
  12. Chris Hanks signed as pro to learn more; Played four seasons, made high-A, then turned college coach, 3/20/23
  13. Howard Landry knew pros wouldn't be easy; Saw three seasons, made high-A, then got injured, 2/21/23
  14. Chris Leach got out of college slump with cycle; Saw three pro seasons, made high-A, 3/15/23
  15. Miguel Monegro helped seal team's comeback at Elmira; Saw four pro seasons, made high-A, 2/18/23
  16. Ed Perozo wanted the chance, did job over nine pro seasons; Made high-A, independent ball, 2/10/23
  17. Scott Powers got key triple at AA in 1991; Saw five seasons, topped out there at AA, 3/26/23
  18. Tato Pratts pitched well at short-season Elmira; Saw four pro seasons, made single-A, 2/16/23
  19. Mickey Rivers, Jr. followed his dad into the pros; Saw four seasons, made high-A, 3/4/23
  20. Ken Ryan kept hitters off balance over eight ML seasons, with Red Sox, Phillies, 3/11/23
  21. Rennie Scott learned the screwball from a former major leaguer; Played over three pro seasons, made high-A, 2/24/23
  22. Tim Stange knew he had to earn college starting spot after injury; Played three pro seasons, made high-A, 3/19/23
  23. Willie Tatum dreamed of playing pro; Saw eight pro seasons, made AAA, passed in 2018, 3/5/23
  24. Scott Taylor heard crowd roaring after key ML strikeouts; Saw two ML seasons, 20 appearances, 2/12/23
  25. Les Wallin knew all he could do was play; Saw six pro seasons, topped out at AA, 3/25/23
  26. Chris Whitehead got married on the field at Lynchburg, saw three pro seasons; Killed in 1991 crash, 3/18/23
  27. Paul Williams impressed enough to be high Red Sox pick; Played decade in pros, made AA, 2/11/23

Winter Haven Red Sox (28)


Elmira Pioneers (27)
  1. Dave Alvarez looked to provide some punch at Elmira in 1989; Saw three pro seasons, 6/25/21
  2. Randy Brown experienced much over 11 pro seasons; Made AAA, never experienced bigs, 6/20/21
  3. Chris Davis could pitch when needed; Saw three seasons, made high-A, 7/25/21
  4. Tim Davis enjoyed playing baseball, then got injured; Played four seasons, made high-A, 7/9/21
  5. Joe Demus helped his manager early in 1990 as bullpen catcher; Saw three pro seasons, made AA, 7/18/21
  6. Jim Dennison impressed Red Sox scouts as a lefty; Saw four pro seasons, made high-A, 6/29/21
  7. Willie Dukes enjoyed his brief pro baseball experience; Made high-A, then became a firefighter, 6/21/21
  8. Gar Finnvold proved his point in brief AAA shot; Later made bigs for eight starts, 7/15/21
  9. Jason Friedman reminded one legend early of Fred Lynn; Saw nine pro seasons, made AAA, became lawyer, 7/10/21
  10. Tim Graham worked on his swing and improved; Saw eight pro seasons, briefly made AA, 7/14/21
  11. Larry Grant proved useful as hitter and in the field; Saw three pro seasons, made high-A, 7/24/21
  12. John Lammon had a quick release as a catcher; Saw two pro seasons, both at Elmira, 6/26/21
  13. Jeff Limoncelli got hit in big club spring training game; Saw two pro seasons, played for hometown Elmira, 7/16/21
  14. John Locker played the game over two seasons; Saw Elmira over both, 7/20/21
  15. Jose Lora used speed to make up for mental mistake in 1990 game; Saw three pro seasons, made high-A, 7/19/21
  16. Jose Malave had great day early for Red Sox in Boston; Saw two ML campaigns, 7/23/21
  17. Jeff McNeely played eight pro seasons, made bigs for 21 games, then went into education, 7/5/21
  18. Old Pioneer & Friend - The Elmira Pioneers put more fun in their mascot, with a baseball cap, 7/8/21
  19. Erik Plantenberg got John Olerud out for the Mariners; Saw three ML campaigns, 6/27/21
  20. Mike Quatrine served as the Elmira Pioneers trainer, one of a line of Pioneers trainers, 7/21/21
  21. Dave Ring set them up with his curve over three pro seasons; Made short-season Elmira, 7/3/21
  22. Silverio Santa Maria could throw frequently, if asked; Saw six pro seasons, made high-A, 6/28/21
  23. Cedric Santiago threw junk, but around the plate; Saw three pro seasons, made high-A, 7/11/21
  24. Tim Smith started slow at AA; Saw three seasons there, played five overall, missed bigs, 7/17/21
  25. Mike Verdi learned managing from his father, then turned minors manager himself, 6/24/21
  26. Shea Wardwell helped college to conference title game; Saw four pro seasons, later turned coach, instructor, 6/19/21
  27. Brian Young looked to progress in pros; Saw five seasons, made high-A, 7/22/21
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