Kevin Fynan had pretty much given up on playing in the pros by 1987, but a college coach got him to return home to play local summer ball, The Camden Courier-Post wrote in spring 1990.
He then played well enough there that some scouts for the Phillies saw him and signed him, The Courier-Post wrote.
"It was a storybook type thing," Fynan told The Courier-Post. "I was just grateful to have the opportunity. I just want an opportunity to see how far I can go."
Fynan spoke that March at the start of his third professional season. He'd made AA Reading the previous season. But that marked as far as he got. His 1990 campaign, spent at high-A Clearwater, proved his last.
Fynan's career began in 1988, signed by the Phillies the previous summer. He played at the University of Georgia and, in high school at Cinnaminson High in New Jersey.
Fynan started with the Phillies at single-A Clearwater. He went 7-7 over 38 appearances, 12 starts, with a 2.15 ERA.
He returned to Clearwater for 1989, but also saw Reading. He got into 11 games in relief at Reading, picked up one save and had a 4.35 ERA.
"I was excited when I was promoted (to AA) and it gives you a good feeling inside to know that someone is paying attention to your overall effort," Fynan told The Courier-Post at Reading that August. "But you have to keep it all in the proper perspective. You must remember that, at this level, you're only as good as your last outing."
Fynan then started 1990 back at Clearwater, but his season proved brief. He saw nine appearances, all in relief, with a 4.26 ERA to end his career.
His career over, Fynan returned home to New Jersey. He also continued on in semi-pro ball in the Rancocas Valley League - and also threw batting practice for the Phillies. He'd actually thrown batting practice for the Phillies even before he signed as a pro, The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote.
"Baseball is in my blood," Fynan told The Inquirer in June 1993. "That's why I still play in the RVL. Sometimes I'll go out there and I'll get crushed, and I hate it. But the bottom line is that I just love the game."
- Camden Courier-Post, Aug. 6, 1989: Fynan making progress in Phillies' farm system
- Camden Courier-Post, March 17, 1990: Phillies' Fynan has foot on threshold of dream
- Philadelphia Inquirer, June 21, 1993: A semipro player who does more than dream about the majors
Made the Majors:1,270-33.9%
Never Made Majors:2,479-66.1%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:523
10+ Seasons in the Minors:310
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