Sam Ferretti worked to stay as long as they kept him; Played eight pro seasons, made AAA

Originally published April 26, 2014

In his fifth season as a pro in 1991, Sam Ferretti had briefly made AAA but he had yet to make the majors.

To The Associated Press that July, Ferretti said he was ready to stick with it.

"As long as I see myself doing well ... I'll stay at it as long as they keep me and I keep maturing as a player," Ferretti told The AP.

Ferretti ended up sticking with it for two more seasons. He never made the majors.

Ferretti's career began in 1987, taken by the Indians in the 26th round of the draft out of Rutgers University.

At Rutgers, Ferretti knocked in three a May 1986 win. He hit .309 for the team that year, knocking in 37.

With the Indians, Ferretti started at rookie Burlington. He hit .268 in 48 games. He played most of 1988 at single-A Reno and single-A Waterloo. He also got 18 games at AAA Colorado Springs, where he hit .196.

He played 1989 at single-A Kinston, hitting .232. He also got five games at AA Canton-Akron. He then returned to Canton-Akron full time for 1990 and 1991. He hit .258 his first year at AA and .214 in his second.

In a July 1990 game, Ferretti recorded a double and a single, the single won the game. He had a double in a July win.

Ferretti moved to the Orioles system and AA Hagerstown for 1992. He played that year and the next at AA with the Orioles. In 1993, he hit .238 in 60 games. It was his final year in affiliated ball.

Years later, Ferretti is credited with returning to the field. In 2000, he got into 35 final games with independent Newark. He hit .227, ending his career.

• Hazleton Standard-Speaker, Associated Press, July 24, 1991: Baseball is a game