Wallace Minnifield got the chance to turn pro in summer ball; Saw three pro seasons

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Wallace Minnifield didn't really expect to turn pro. But, as he played summer ball in his native Georgia in 1987, the opportunity presented itself, The Kingsport Times-News wrote in 1989.

"I didn't really decide to play pro ball until the summer I signed," Minnifield told The Times-News as he played at rookie Kingsport. "But, it was something I had always wanted to do. I got the chance to put my name on the dotted line. It's a lot of hard work but it's good. I love it so far."

Minnifield spoke to The Times-News in his second season on the field in pro ball. He saw time in just one more. He topped out at short-season Pittsfield.

Minnifield's career began in 1987, signed by the Mets as a free agent out of his native Bowdon, Ga.

At Bowdon High School, Minnifield made the all-county team four seasons and earned team MVP honors his senior year as he hit .529, with 20 home runs.

He first hit the field for the Mets in 1988, in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He got into 45 games and hit .173. He picked up two hits in a July game.

Minnifield then moved to rookie Kingsport for 1989. He saw 41 games there and hit .223. He hit a home run in a late-June game, one of four he hit on the year.

He arrived at Pittsfield for 1990. He got into 19 games and hit .260. Those 19 games proved to be his last as a pro.

1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:3,671
Made the Majors:1,254-34.2%
Never Made Majors:2,417-65.8%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:522
10+ Seasons in the Minors:308

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