1990 Tidewater Tides player profiles, AAA New York Mets

Features on each member of the 1990 Tidewater Tides, AAA affiliate of the New York Mets. Players are as included in that year's team set. Click on the player's name to read more.

Interview (5)
1 - Mike DeButch, New Opportunities
Traded mid-season, Mike DeButch saw it as a new opportunity to make the majors.
2 - Cesar Mejia, Paid Back
Cesar Mejia threw a no-hitter at AA. He later was a long-time instructor in his native Dominican Republic.
3 - Orlando Mercado, Hardly Slowed
Orlando Mercado got his first hit, a grand slam. An umpire let him know he could slow down.
4 - Dale Plummer, Good Thing
Dale Plummer made it back from cancer to get called up to majors.
5 - Kelvin Torve, Worked Harder
Kelvin Torve began to doubt whether he'd make it to the majors. And then he made it.

1990 Tidewater Tides (30)
1 - Shawn Barton achieved lifelong dream in 3 bigs seasons

2 - Tim Bogar knew he'd make the majors, not star, later coached
3 - Kevin Brown showed poise, made 3 major league seasons
4 - Rocky Childress saw ML in 4 seasons, then tried for 5th
5 - John Cumberland, Comfortable Night
John Cumberland was comfortable pitching in six major league seasons. He later had a long career as a coach.
6 - Mike DeButch, Didn't Complain
Mike DeButch didn't complain with an extended AAA stay. He just didn't make the bigs.
7 - Alex Diaz, Type of Game
Carlos Diaz was itching to start after college. He made the majors for nine games.
8 - Jeff Gardner, Every Day
Jeff Gardner's major league debut was as good as they said it would be. He played in major league seasons.
9 - Brian Givens, Talked About
Brian Givens eventually made the majors - in his 12th season of pro ball.
10 - Denny Gonzalez, Didn't Expect
Denny Gonzalez got intentionally walked in his major league debut. He played in five seasons.
11 - Manny Hernandez, Few Minutes: Manny Hernandez was happy to be in the majors. He'd waited a while to get there.
12 - Keith Hughes, Some Enthusiasm
Keith Hughes got his first major league hit in 1987, it led to a Phillies win. He played in four major league seasons.

13 - Jeff Innis, Regular Basis
Jeff Innis played seven major league seasons, all with the Mets. He tried to get an eighth with a knuckleball, but it didn't work.
14 - Chris Jelic made ultimate goal, majors, for 4 games
15 - Scott Lawrenson, Saved a Life
Scott Lawrenson worked his way up from rookie ball to the majors, as a trainer.
16 - Dave Liddell, Well Above
Dave Liddell singled in his first major league at bat and in his last. They were the same hit.
17 - Cesar Mejia, Wasn't Nervous
Cesar Mejia got a no-hitter at AA in 1988, but he never got chance to play in the majors.
18 - Orlando Mercado, Grand Slam
Orlando Mercado's first major league hit was a home run - a grand slam.
19 - Rich Miller, Ins and Outs
Rich Miller knows what it's like being in the minors. He's been there for three decades.
20 - Scott Nielsen, Can Pitch
Scott Nielsen proved he could pitch. He did so in the majors in four seasons.
21 - Dale Plummer, Close Calls
Dale Plummer had a close call with the majors, and scary close call with cancer.
22 - Darren Reed, Resulting Injury
Darren Reed to make the majors after his 1991 spring trade to the Expos. He was soon out for the year with an injury.
23 - Roger Samuels, Getting an Opportunity
Roger Samuels knew it was a matter of getting opportunities. He got major league ones in two seasons.
24 - Zoilo Sanchez, Two Homers
Zoilo Sanchez hit 15 home runs one year. He made it to AAA, but never made the majors.
25 - Ray Soff waited for 1st ML win, got 5

26 - Steve Swisher, Work and Success
Steve Swisher knew players had to work to be successful. He taught that to players, and his son.
27 - Lou Thornton, Stuck Around
Lou Thornton played parts of five major league seasons. He then came back to try for one more.
28 - Kelvin Torve, Sure Situations: Kelvin Torve's first major league at bat came with a chance to win the game against a Hall of Famer. He struck out.
29 - Dave Trautwein stayed prepared, saw six seasons, AAA
30 - Julio Valera made 5 bigs seasons with 'dastardly dip' slider

The 1990 AAA International League
-Columbus Clippers (31)
-Scranton Red Barons (27)
-Pawtucket Red Sox (30)
-Richmond Braves (29)
-Rochester Red Wings (40)
-Syracuse Chiefs (31)
-Tidewater Tides (30)
-Toledo Mud Hens (27)