Jose Lora used speed to make up for mental mistake in 1990 game; Saw three pro seasons, made high-A

Elmira Pioneer Jose Lora committed a ninth-inning baserunning error in this August 1990 game as he got thrown out a third. Lora, though, got another chance in extras, The Elmira Star-Gazette wrote.

In the 11th, Lora stole third this time and then came home on an error to score the game-winner, The Star-Gazette wrote.

"See, yes, it felt good," Lora told The Star-Gazette through a teammate interpreter of the night's turn of events.

Lora scored that game-winner in his second season as a pro. He saw one more campaign. He topped out at high-A.

Lora's career began in 1989, signed by the Red Sox as an undrafted free agent out of his native Dominican Republic.

Lora started with the Red Sox in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He got into 28 games and hit .177.

He then moved to short-season Elmira for 1990. He got into 67 games and hit .212. He also stole 22 bases. He walked, stole a base and scored in a July game, then singled, stole a base and scored in an August contest.

Lora played 1991 at high-A Winter Haven, Elmira and in the GCL. He saw 16 games at Winter Haven, three in the GCL and 25 at Elmira.

At Elmira in June, Lora went 0 for 4, but hit the ball hard twice, Elmira manager Dave Holt noted to The Star-Gazette.

"He's improved a great deal," Holt told The Star-Gazette of Lora. "He just gets overanxious sometimes."

Lora hit .128 overall in 44 games in 1990 between the three levels. That season proved his last as a pro.

• Elmira Star-Gazette, Aug. 11, 1990: Lora steals show as Elmira nips Pittsfield
• Elmira Star-Gazette, June 18, 1991: Manager Holt encouraged despite loss

1990 Minor League Tally 

Players/Coaches Featured:3,699
Made the Majors:1,256-34.0%
Never Made Majors:2,443-66.0%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:522
10+ Seasons in the Minors:309