Frank Carey helped Stanford to title, saw three pro seasons

Stanford won its second-straight College World Series championship in 1988 and helping them get there was Frank Carey.

Carey went 4 for 4 in one regional game and three in a series game. To The Associated Press after the big win, Carey reacted to his team's success.

"This is great to come back here and win it two years in a row," Carey told The AP. "You need a lot of intangibles to work. This is unbelievable."

Carey went on to turn pro the next year. His professional career, though, was brief, just three seasons. He briefly made AA, but didn't make it higher.

Carey's career began in 1989, taken by the Giants in the eighth round of the draft out of Stanford.

With Stanford, Carey hit a two-run triple to give Stanford a lead in a 1987 College World Series game.

In 1988, Carey picked up those four hits in the regional game to send the Cardinal on to Omaha. Then, in Stanford's first game, Carey hit a two run shot and got two other hits.

As a pro, Carey started at single-A Clinton. He hit .242 in 64 games. He returned to Clinton in 1990, playing part of the year at high-A San Jose. He hit .292 between them.

Carey played 1991 back at San Jose. In 99 games, he hit .279. He also got five games at AA Shreveport. In five at bats, he didn't get a hit. It was his final season as a pro.

Originally published Feb. 1, 2015

• Newburgh-Beacon Evening News, Associated Press, June 11, 1988: Stanford defends NCAA title

More: The 1990 Clinton Giants