That night's opposing pitcher had a fastball and that was it, The Reader wrote.
"You can't get by on just one pitch," Chavez told The Reader, "not even at this level."
Chavez spoke to The Reader in a feature on his single-A South Bend White Sox and during perhaps his best stretch as a pro. Chavez went 15-3 there, with a 1.91 ERA, winning league Pitcher of the Year honors.
Chavez went on to play in a total of five pro seasons. He made AA, but he didn't make it higher.
Chavez' career began in 1986, signed by the Reds as an undrafted free agent out of New Mexico State University. Chavez is also credited as Samuel Chavez.
Chavez started with the Reds in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He went 3-2, with a 3.18 ERA. He moved to rookie Billings in 1987 and then single-A Cedar Rapids in 1988.
At Cedar Rapids, Chavez went 12-11, with a 3.68 ERA. He set a Midwest League record with five pickoffs in one game, after setting a Pioneer League record the year before at Billings with four.
Chavez moved to the White Sox and turned in his stellar performance at South Bend. His 15 wins remained tied in 2010 for second-best in club history, same with his 1.91 ERA.
Chavez received a promotion to single-A Sarasota late in the 1989 season. He went 3-3, with a 3.35 ERA.
Chavez played just one more season, with the Athletics in 1990. He played between high-A Modesto and Reno, as well as AA Huntsville. He went 9-6 overall, with a 5.16 ERA, ending his career.
Chavez has since taken up scouting and instruction, according to his instruction school's site. He's worked with the Cubs, Mariners, Expos and Marlins as a scout. He also runs Sam Chavez' Hard Core Baseball School in New Mexico.
- Chicago Reader, June 29, 1989: Minor League
- ChavCoreBaseball: Sam Chavez' Career Highlights
Players/Coaches Featured: 2,494
Made the Majors:1,007-40.4%
Never Made Majors:1,487-59.6%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 419
10+ Seasons in the Minors:256
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