That's because the Twins selected him in the Rule 5 draft and with it came the potential of making a major league roster, The Press wrote.
"This is probably one of the biggest days of my baseball career," Cross told The Press. "I'm finding out a little more as time goes on, but it looks good, I mean real good. I just want to get in top shape and be ready when I get there."
Cross went to spring training with the Twins in 1992, but he didn't make the team. He also returned to the Blue Jays. In all, Cross played in six professional seasons. He made AAA, but not the bigs.
Cross' career began in 1989, having been taken by the Blue Jays in the 62nd round of the previous year's draft out of Middle Georgia College.
Cross started with the Blue Jays at single-A Myrtle Beach. He went 7-8, with a 3.51 ERA over 36 outings, 13 starts. He moved to high-A Dunedin for 1990, where he went 13-7, with a 3.29 ERA.
He made AA Knoxville 1991, where he ended with a 2.83 ERA and a 10-9 mark. He also caught the eye of the Twins.
Though Cross didn't make the Twins that spring, he did get to face Jose Canseco with the bases loaded. Cross struck him out, according to The Chattanooga Times Free Press years later.
"That was my highlight," Cross told The Times Free Press. "That's my best memory of playing pro baseball."
Cross played 1992 mostly back at Knoxville. He did get a four-game look at AAA Syracuse. He then returned to Syracuse for 1993 and 1994. He went 8-6 and 14-11 to end his career.
- Fort Oglethorpe Press, Dec. 18, 1991: Cross off to the show with Minnesota Twins
- Chattanooga Times Free Press, June 10, 2009: Wiedmer: Ringgold's Cross recalls draft times
Players/Coaches Featured: 2,879
Made the Majors:1,073-37.3%
Never Made Majors:1,806-62.7%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 444
10+ Seasons in the Minors:267
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