Avila got to hang out with pro players from the local Mariners affiliate. He also got in position to get some pointers from those real life pro players, including a slider lesson that came a few years too early, according to The Sun.
"It's fun," Avila told The Sun that June as he made a food run for the players. "You get to know a lot of the guys, a lot of famous people. They treat me like one of the guys."
Avila was one of two batboys for the Spirit in 1988. The other was Bob Harvey Jr., the son of the Spirit's radio announcer, The Sun wrote.
Avila and Harvey were the batboys for the Spirit in 1988. The Spirit's batboys in 1990? Well, they got a card.
The two batboys for the 1990 got their photos on cardboard in the Best set, but their actual names were not included. Instead, they're identified simply by their job: "Batboys."
The card back is no further help. The back is the team checklist.
Update April 2024: An April 1990 team photo in The San Bernardino County Sun appears to identify both. One indeed appears to be Dustin Avila (left, lower). The other is identified as Steven Zinn.
Players/Coaches Featured: 2,129
Made the Majors: 920-43.3%
Never Made Majors:1,209-56.7%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 391
10+ Seasons in the Minors:228
- San Bernardino County Sun, June 18, 1988: Spirit's bat boy is always on the run
Players/Coaches Featured: 2,129
Made the Majors: 920-43.3%
Never Made Majors:1,209-56.7%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 391
10+ Seasons in the Minors:228
More 1990 Minor Leaguers:
- Jeff Barry succeeded in 1999 game, saw 3 ML seasons, Japan, 12/10/19
- Jeff Barton started career cross-country, saw 2 pro seasons, 7/20/14
- Shawn Barton achieved lifelong dream in 3 bigs seasons, 3/8/11
- Jeff Barton started career cross-country, saw 2 pro seasons, 7/20/14
- Shawn Barton achieved lifelong dream in 3 bigs seasons, 3/8/11
- Shawn Barton played 9 pro seasons, realized how lucky he was, 12/13/20
- Mike Basso felt good at Spokane, saw 9 pro seasons, AAA, 2/27/11
- Steven Bast saw 4 seasons, then realized dream as doctor, 8/27/11
- San Bernardino Spirit Batboys got to know famous people, 9/29/15
- Birmingham Barons Batboys got their own group card, stories, 7/15/19
- Mike Basso felt good at Spokane, saw 9 pro seasons, AAA, 2/27/11
- Steven Bast saw 4 seasons, then realized dream as doctor, 8/27/11
- San Bernardino Spirit Batboys got to know famous people, 9/29/15
- Birmingham Barons Batboys got their own group card, stories, 7/15/19
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