Todd Provence, Confidence Back - 2790

Todd Provence came back from a shoulder injury and, in his first outing back in 1986, didn't pitch as well as he had hoped.

For help, he turned to his manager at single-A Ventura County, Glenn Ezell, he told The Los Angeles Times.

"But Ezell helped me over the last few days with my slider," Provence told The Times, "and it had a good, tight break on it. I'm getting my confidence back. I just had to be patient."

Provence's patience as a pitcher lasted into the next season, when he made AA Knoxville as a reliever. Then Provence stopped pitching and turned position player. As a position player, though, Provence played three more seasons, but never returned to AA.

Province's professional career began 1984, taken by the Blue Jays in the fifth round of the draft, out of Anderson Union High School in California.

With the Blue Jays, Provence started at rookie Medicine Hat, going 4-5 over 12 starts. He moved to single-A Florence for 1985, going 11-9, with a 2.84 ERA over 26 starts.

He moved to Ventura County for 1986. He picked up just six wins on the year to 10 losses. Then it was AA Knoxville for 1987. Turned reliever, Provence went 6-13 over 58 outings, with a 4.05 ERA.

Provence then turned hitter. He returned to single-A for 1988, spending the year as a first baseman. As a hitter, Province's average was just .204. His 1989 season was back at Myrtle Beach. It was also just 42 games. But he hit seven home runs, including one in an April game.

Provence returned to Myrtle Beach for a third season in 1990, hitting a home run in a May game against Sumter. He also got a short stint at high-A Dunedin. But he hit .230 between them. It was his last season as a pro.

• Los Angeles Times, July 3, 1986: Malave Escapes the Bench, Leads Ventura Past Angels

1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,350
Made the Majors: 720 - 53.3%
Never Made Majors: 630-46.7%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 312
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 185