What the catcher's coach at Kansas University believed Mentzer needed was confidence, the coach told The Journal-World.
"I BELIEVE in talent," KU coach Dave Bingham told The Journal-World in March 1988. "Troy Mentzer is a tremendously talented young man. He fights himself sometimes, and when he does, that hurts him. He needs somebody to show him confidence, and that's what I'm trying to do."
Bingham showed Mentzer enough confidence for Mentzer to turn pro, signed by the Giants in 1989 as a free agent. Mentzer, though, apparently never showed enough confidence for a long career. His career lasted just 29 games, all played the year he signed.
Before turning pro, Mentzer played at Allen Community College in Kansas, then Kansas University. He bypassed a selection by the Phillies in 1987, but instead turned to Kansas.
Arriving at Kansas, Mentzer was called Bingham's "most impressive recruit," The Journal-World nothing Mentzer had hit .406, with 13 home runs the previous year at Allen.
With Kansas, Mentzer hit a home run and knocked in three in a March 1988 game. In a March 1989 game, Mentzer picked up three hits, including a double.
"I'm being real aggressive at the plate," Mentzer told The Journal-World after that March 1989 contest. "Last year I wasn't aggressive and I got in the hole all the time."
That June, Mentzer signed with the Giants. Sent to short-season Everett, Mentzer got into 29 games. He hit just .193, knocking in 12.
He returned to the Giants for 1990, assigned to high-A San Jose long enough to be included in the club's ProCards set that year. Mentzer, though, never got into a game, ending his brief pro career.
- Lawrence Journal-World, July 23, 1987: Bingham announces 12 Kansas baseball recruits
- Lawrence Journal-World, March 31, 1988: Catcher Mentzer sheds slump
- Lawrence Journal-World, March 9, 1989: KU nips Ichabods, heads for Hawaii
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