Rider University baseball coach Sonny Pittaro had an explanation for Ed Whited's success there.By the time his stint at Rider was over, Whited owned a host of school records, from career hits and home runs to total bases, according to The Bangor Daily News.
"I just think he's a good athlete who is strong," Pittaro told The Daily News in May 1986. "When he gets a pitch he wants, he can drive it. He has very good power."
With his college career behind him, Whited joined the Astros after that June's draft, selected by Houston in the 18th round.
And, while his career was a brief one, all of five seasons, Whited did make the majors. He made it with the Braves in 1989, getting into all of 36 games.
Whited started with the Astros at short-season Auburn. The infielder got into 61 games, hitting .292.
He moved to single-A Asheville in 1987, hitting .323 in 128 games. He also hit 28 home runs. One of those home runs was a first-inning grand slam in a May game. He went on to get two other hits in that 11-5 win at Charleston.
"We came in here struggling; we were pretty flat," Whited told The Charleston News and Courier after that game. "We had lost a couple at home, and then a couple here. It was just a matter of relaxing."
Whited made AA Greenville in 1988, making the Southern League All-Star team. He then AAA Richmond in 1989. In July 1989, Whited made Atlanta.
He got his first hit July 9, in his fifth game. He got his first home run July 25, in his 11th. Overall, Whited picked up 12 hits in 74 at bats, for a .162 record.
Whited's final outing came Oct. 1. He didn't make it back. Whited played in just one more season, back at AAA Richmond. He hit .248, ending his career.
- Bangor Daily News, May 23, 1986: Ed Whited holds most of Rider's offensive records
- Charleston News and Courier, May 21, 1987: Tourists Topple 'Bows
Cards Featured: 726/880 - 82.5%
Players/Coaches Featured: 737
Made the Majors: 497 - 67%-X
Never Made the Majors:240-33%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 217
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 144
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