Marcos Betances threw rookie ball no-hitter, saw 3 seasons

Marcos Betances got a bonus this day in July 1988 and it was well-earned.

That's because Betances went out for the Bristol Tigers of the rookie Appalachian League and threw a no-hitter.

To show his appreciation, according to The Bristol Herald-Courier, Tigers farm director Joe McDonald dug into his wallet while still in the dugout and handed Betances a $100 bill.

Betances' success ended up being short-lived. That was his first season as a pro. He got into just two more. He never made AA.

Betances' career began that year, signed by the Tigers as a free agent out of his native Dominican Republic.

Betances played his first year at rookie Bristol. Over 13 starts that year, he posted a 4.24 ERA and went 5-3.

He started his 1989 season at single-A Fayetteville and his season didn't start well. In mid-April, he apparently punched a wall with his pitching hand in frustration, according to The Fayetteville Observer. His hand swelled up and he needed a cast. He was expected to be out up to six weeks.

Betances got five starts at Fayetteville, with a 5.49 ERA. In mid-June, he was sent down to short-season Niagara Falls. He also saw time that year at Bristol. Overall, he got into 18 games, 15 starts. He had a 6.62 ERA.

That December, Betances was included in a trade to the Cardinals. He played 1990 at single-A Savannah and short-season Hamilton. He went 0-4 at Savannah, with a 5.79 ERA. At Hamilton, he was 4-7, with a 3.70 ERA. It was Betances' final season as a pro.

Originally published June 25, 2015

• Fayetteville Observer, May 6, 1989: Man from Mars ailing
• Bristol Herald-Courier, June 22, 2011: Appy League full of memories

More: The 1990 Hamilton Redbirds

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 2,531
Made the Majors:1,014-40.1%
Never Made Majors:1,517-59.9%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 421
10+ Seasons in the Minors:259

More 1990 Minor Leaguers:

 - Sean Berry made 11 ML seasons with Expos, Astros, others, 3/4/13

 - Damon Berryhill had big World Series hit, saw decade in bigs, 11/23/19

 - Dan Berthel made name at Long Beach, saw 3 pro seasons, 1/8/23

 - Gerry Berthiaume put in long hours with AA Red Sox, loved it, 4/9/16
 - Jayson Best believed in practice as coach, in 7 pro seasons, 10/11/14

 - Marcos Betances threw rookie ball no-hitter, saw 3 seasons, 6/25/15

 - Jose Bethancourt made guys swing, saw two pro seasons, 6/16/24
 - Steve Bethea proved valuable at Spokane, saw six pro seasons, 10/24/15

 - Dave Bettendorf won college award, saw four seasons, made AA, 5/19/13
 - Ed Beuerlein took work ethic to three pro seasons, made AA, 9/23/13