Mimbs responded by heading to the newly formed independent circuit and he played the year at St. Paul and played well enough to get back to a major league organization for 1994.
"I was never negative about it," Mimbs told The Montreal Gazette in July 1994 as he pitched at AA in the Expos system. "I never lost track of my dream to pitch in the big leagues."
Mimbs didn't make it that year with the Expos. But he did make it the year after, with the Phillies. By the time he was done, Mimbs had seen time in three major league campaigns, all with Philadelphia and he amassed 73 major league outings, both as a starter and as a reliever.
Mimbs' career began in 1990, taken by the Dodgers in the 24th round of the draft out of Mercer University in Georgia.
Mimbs started his career with the unusual distinction of doing so with his twin brother Mark Mimbs - and on the same teams. The Dodgers also drafted Mark Mimbs in the 25th round - the very next round after Mike Mimbs. Mark Mimbs played 10 seasons, including two in Japan, but never made the majors.
Mike Mimbs started his pro career with the Dodgers at rookie Great Falls, alongside his brother. He saw three outings there and then 12 starts at short-season Yakima. He went 4-3, with a 3.89 ERA between them.
At Yakima late that July, Mike Mimbs received praise in a loss, going 7.1, while giving up two earned, The Spokane Chronicle wrote.
"That kid (Mimbs) pitched an outstanding game," Yakima manager Jerry Royster told The Chronicle afterward as his club chased first place. "Think what it would have meant for him if we had won."
Mimbs moved to high-A Vero Beach for 1991 and went 12-4, with a 2.67 ERA on the year. He then made AA San Antonio for 1992, where he went 10-8, with a 4.23 ERA. He then got cut.
With independent St. Paul in 1993, he went 8-2, with a 3.20 ERA over 20 outings, 16 starts and earned a spot in the Expos system for 1994.
After going 11-4, with a 3.46 ERA at AA Harrisburg in 1994, the Phillies selected Mimbs in the Rule 5 draft. He then debuted in the majors.
Mimbs saw 35 outings, 19 starts with Philadelphia in 1995. He went 9-7, with a 4.15 ERA and saved one.
He debuted that April 30, kind of, in a rained out game. Before the game was called, Mimbs threw five innings and gave up one run, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
"He did an outstanding job," Phillies manager Jim Fregosi told The Inquirer of Mimbs. "It's a shame he doesn't come out of it with anything. But as far as this organization goes, he's got a little star next to his name."
Mimbs saw 21 more outings, 17 starts, with the Phillies in 1996. He went 3-9, with a 5.53 ERA. He then returned for 17 final major league outings in 1997, where he went 0-3, with a 7.53 ERA.
Mimbs then spent 1998 at AAA and 1999 in Taiwan, with Sinon, to end his career.
- Spokane Chronicle, Aug. 1, 1990: Bish, Indians put down feisty Bears
- Montreal Gazette, July 6, 1994: Mimbs seeks shot at former club
- Philadelphia Inquirer, May 1, 1995: Rainout dampens Mimbs' debut
Players/Coaches Featured:3,369
Made the Majors:1,196-35.5%-X
Never Made Majors:2,173-64.5%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 497
10+ Seasons in the Minors:289
There's some question as to whether the Phillies of the mid-to-late 1990s qualify as a major league team. lol
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