The man he worked with that off season, according to The New York Times, was Cone's longtime friend, his first roommate in professional baseball, Tony Ferreira.
''Sloppy,'' Ferreira told Cone during one workout according to The Times, with Cone correcting his motion. To consecutive sliders, Ferreira responded "Over the barrel," according to The Times, and "Nice. Tight spin."
Ferreira helped his longtime friend Cone as part of a long post-playing career that has seen Ferrera coach young players to considerably older players like Cone. More recently, Ferreira has served as a coach at a Florida baseball academy.
That post-playing career came after a career on the field that saw Ferreira play a decade in pro ball, a career that included a trip to the majors for all of two appearances, amounting to 5.2 innings of big league work.
Ferreira's professional career began in 1981, taken by the Royals in the second round of the draft, out of John North High School in Riverside, Ca.
Ferreira started with the Royals in the rookie Gulf Coast League, playing there with Cone. Ferreira moved to single-A Fort Myers for 1982, and got time at AA Jacksonville. Between them, he posted a 4.60 ERA in 43 relief outings.
Ferreira made Jacksonville full time in 1983, going 7-11, with a 4.22 ERA in 35 outings, 20 starts.In 1984, Ferreira picked up a spring win for the Royals, pitching the last inning. For the year, Ferreira played at AAA Omaha. He also returned there for 1985.
In September 1985, Ferreira got his call to Kansas City. He debuted Sept. 17, throwing two innings of hitless ball against the Mariners. His second appearance, and final appearance, came Oct. 5, with a less successful outing. He went 3.2 innings, giving up five earned runs.
For 1986, Ferreira moved to the Mets, and AAA Tidewater, sent there in a trade. Over the next three seasons, Ferreira went through the Mariners, Giants, Yankees and Brewers systems, without making it back to the majors. He played his final season in 1990, back with the Royals at AAA Omaha.
His playing career over, Ferreira moved to coaching, heading up a training program he put together, Pro Kids Baseball. For 2012, Ferreira joined IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
"Joining the IMG team will allow me the unique chance to share my years of playing and coaching experiences with youth players and fellow professionals," Ferreira said in a January 2012 IMG blog entry announcing the move. "I am looking forward to making a significant impact."
Originally published Oct. 20, 2012
- New York Times, March 4, 2001: Late Innings; David Cone Refuses To Give Up
- IMG Academies blog, Jan. 17, 2012: Former MLB pitcher and World Series winner Tony Ferreira named IMG Academy baseball program's newest coach
More: The 1990 Omaha Royals
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