Bill Abare got big hit at Dunedin, saw three pro seasons

Bill Abare came up in the fourth inning of this May 1991 contest with two on. When he was done, there was just one on, himself on third.

Abare hit a bases-clearing triple, leading his high-A Dunedin Blue Jays to a 3-2 win over Osceola, according to The Orlando Sentinel.

Abare hit that triple in his third season as a pro, one of three triples he hit that year. For Abare, though, that season was also his last as a pro, Abare never making AA.

Abare's pro career started in May 1989, signed by the Blue Jays out of Polk Community College. Abare had been drafted by the Blue Jays the previous June, deep in the 60th round of the draft.

At Polk, Abare made the state all-star team in fall 1988, called a power-hitter by The Lakeland Ledger. He also made the spring team. That March, Abare showed his skills off the field, according to The Ledger, winning a hamburger-eating contest.

With the Blue Jays, Abare played 1989 at short-season St. Catharines. In 54 games, the first baseman hit just .172.

Abare moved to single-A Myrtle Beach for 1990, improving his average to .251 and hitting 10 home runs. In a June game, Abare knocked in a run on a single, and also scored in a Myrtle Beach win. In a July game, Abare hit one of his home runs, a three-run shot.

Abare moved to Dunedin for 1991, but his average dropped back to .181, with five home runs. It was his final season as a pro.

• Orlando Sentinel, May 2, 1991: Dunedin 3, Osceola 1

More: The 1990 Myrtle Beach Blue Jays

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,349
Made the Majors: 720 - 53.4%
Never Made Majors: 629-46.6%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 312
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 185