He'd spent his first four-plus seasons on Chicago's South Side, appearing in 274 big league games in that time. Newson just wanted to appear in more.
"It's kind of tough," Newson told The Chicago Tribune after the trade. "This was the first team that brought me to the big leagues. Kind of mixed emotions, but as long as you're still in the major leagues, that's all that matters to me."
Newson ended up appearing in three more seasons, 215 more contests.
Newson's career began in 1986, taken by the Padres in the fourth round, out of the University of Georgia.
Newson played that first year at short-season Spokane. He made AA Wichita in 1989, then AAA Las Vegas in 1990. For 1991, Newson was traded for the first time, to the White Sox.
He also soon made his major league debut, doing so in May. He ended up getting into 71 games that year, hitting .295. Late in the year, Newson provided the game-winning single in the 10th.
"It's been fun," Newson told The Tribune after that win. "I've a had a little success. I just hope I can keep up the work I've been doing."
Newson returned for another 63 games with the White Sox in 1992. His averaged dropped to .221. In 1993, he got into just 26 games, getting 12 hits in 40 at bats. But he also made the White Sox post-season roster.
He got one hit in five at bats in the ALCS. That hit was a home run in a White Sox loss. Newson's wife and baby daughter were there to see it. It was all the more meaningful because his wife was still recovering from a bad April car accident, The New York Times wrote.
"Before the game, I knew they were going to be here," Newson told The Times. "I was glad they got to see me hit it."
After his trade to the Mariners in 1995, Newson played 33 games with them before signing with the Rangers for 1996. That year, Newson got into the most games he would play in a season, 91. He got into 81 in 1997.
Newson finished out his major league career in 1998, with 10 final games. Newson's playing career, though, didn't end until 2003, playing much of his remaining time in Mexico.
- Chicago Tribune, Oct. 4, 1991: 22 Innings, 8 1/2 Hours-but Sox Sweep
- New York Times, Oct. 13, 1993: Homer and More for Newson
- Chicago Tribune, July 19, 1995: Schueler Shakeup Continues As Newson Goes To Seattle
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