To The Post, the third-year pro made an observation about the strength of his teammates and opponents in that game.
"Everyone here has got a shot (at the majors), I guess," Kline told The Post.
While some of those players did go on to the majors, Kline never made it there himself. Kline played six pro seasons. He made AAA, but not the bigs.
Kline's career began in 1987, taken by the Twins in the 13th round of the draft out of the University of Portland.
The Twins selected him after he went 9-4 and put up a 3.15 ERA as he won first-team all-conference at Portland in 1987. His 3.17 career mark at the school remains eighth all-time there.
Kline started with the Twins at rookie Ellizabethton and single-A Kenosha. He went 6-3, with a 4.13 ERA on the year.
He pitched for Kenosha in the Midwest League playoffs that September and took the win with 6-plus shutout innings, according to The Kenosha News.
"That was my best slider of the season," Kline told The News afterward. "I finally had that slider. I've had it before but this was the best. And when you can throw it like that, it makes your curve and fast ball that much better."
Kline moved to single-A Visalia for 1988. He went 8-2, with a 3.65 ERA on the year.
He then arrived in the Expos system via Baltimore for 1988. He went 11-6 at single-A West Palm Beach, with a 2.29 ERA. He picked up a 1-0 win that July.
Kline landed in the Mets system for 1990 via a trade. He also saw his first action at AA, at Jackson. He saw 31 outings, 14 starts, there and ended with a 3.94 ERA.
He saw AA Williamsport and AAA Tidewater for 1991. He went 2-0 in two relief outings at Tidewater.
Kline then played one final season in 1992. He saw 16 outings at Tidewater, then 11 with the Tigers at AAA Toledo to end his career.
- Kenosha News, Sept. 4, 1987: Twins force third game
- Palm Beach Post, June 27, 1989: All-Star Game showcases major league talent
Players/Coaches Featured:3,140
Made the Majors:1,140-36.3%
Never Made Majors:2,000-63.7%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 473
10+ Seasons in the Minors:282
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