Joe Andrzejewski pitched in four pro seasons, made single-A

Joe Andrzejewski assessed his performances to The Baltimore Sun in August 1991.

In a word, those performances were erratic, he told The Sun.

"Some days, I go out there and pitch great," Andrzejewski told The Sun. "Other days, I go up there and I'll constantly be behind the hitters, and they won't really hit me hard. I'll just walk a lot of people. I commit suicide out there."

Andrzejewski pitched that year, his fourth year as a pro, with short-season Erie. That season also proved to be his last. Andrzejewski made it as high as single-A.

Andrzejewski's career began in 1988, taken by the Brewers in the third round of the draft out of Chesapeake High School in Maryland.

Andrzejewski started with the Brewers at rookie Helena. He got into a single game in 1988. He then returned to Helena the next year. In 11 games, 10 starts, Andrzejewski went 3-2, with a 6.13 ERA. In July, Andrzejewski combined with two relievers to strike out 16.

He moved to single-A Beloit for 1990. He got into 24 games that year, starting 19. He went 6-9, with a 5.61 ERA.

In one game that summer with Beloit, a sharp line drive to his face led Andrzejewski to be carted off the field. He even had the imprint of stitches on his face, William Albert Allard wrote in his book "Portraits of America." Checked out at the hospital, Andrzejewski returned to the team later that night.

Andrzejewski then moved to short-season co-op Erie for 1991. He got into 16 games, starting seven. He went 1-5, with a 7.02 ERA, ending his career.

Originally published June 23, 2017

• Baltimore Sun, Aug. 18, 1991: Andrzejewski Is Having Wild Time - And Hates It
• Portraits of America, William Albert Allard: Page 119

More: The 1990 Beloit Brewers