Keith Gordon, Something New - 3228

The Associated Press listed off eight Reds rookies who had taken the field by mid-July, pointing out how the Reds had gotten younger that summer.

Among those rookies mentioned was Keith Gordon, who was just getting off a three-game stint with the big club, his first in the majors.

"They were brought up to bring in something new, young blood," Reds GM Jim Bowden told The AP, "and to try to improve the chemistry of this ball club."

For Gordon, though, in a career that continued for another decade, he would never be brought up again.

Gordon's professional career began in 1990, taken by the Reds in the second round of the draft, out of Wright State.

With the Reds, Gordon started with rookie Billings, hitting .234 in 49 games. In an August game, Gordon knocked in the go-ahead runs in the 10th of a Billings win.

Gordon moved to single-A Charleston for 1991, then single-A Cedar Rapids for 1992. At Cedar Rapids, Gordon hit .251 in 114 games. He also stole 21 bases.

In late July 1992, Gordon scored a run on a single and two wild pitches, scoring on the second wild pitch from second base, according to The Cedar Rapids Gazette.

"Gordon doing that put them on the defensive," Cedar Rapids manager Mark Berry told The Gazette. "Now they're just waiting for us to do something else."

For 1993, Gordon moved to AA Chattanooga. There, he hit .291 on the year with 14 home runs. In early July, Gordon hit his ninth home run, a two-run homer. Shortly after that home run, Gordon got that mid-season call up directly to Cincinnati.

Gordon debuted July 9, against Pittsburgh. He went 1 for 4 in a game that turned out to be his only start. The hit, his first in the majors, also turned out to be his last. Gordon got into each of the next two games, getting one at bat in each, but no hits. He was then sent back to Chattanooga, his major league career over.

Gordon returned to Chattanooga for 1994, getting a brief look at AAA Indianapolis. Between the two, he hit .266 with nine home runs and 42 RBIs. In one June game with Chattanooga, Gordon knocked in three.

Gordon played 1995 at AAA Indianapolis and 1996 with the Orioles system at AAA Rochester and AA Boise, largely ending his affiliated career.

Gordon, though, continued playing professionally through 2002, playing out his career mostly in independent ball between Atlantic City, Nashua and in Mexico.

• Cedar Rapids Gazette, Aug. 1, 1992: C.R.'s Hook handcuffs Appleton
• Toledo Blade, Associated Press, July 15, 1993: Younger Reds set for second half

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,131
Made the Majors: 663 - 58.6%-X
Never Made Majors: 468-41.4%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 287
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 173-X