In the midst of the conference tournament, Clemson coach Bill Wilhelm pulled his starter Alan Botkin after a late lead-off single.
The single later came around to score, tying the game, according to The Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Clemson, though, went on to win.
"It's really hard to come out of a game like this," Botkin told The Herald-Journal afterward. "But coach has been saying all along that it’s a team game. I'm just happy we won."
Botkin went on from Clemson to play on other teams, ones in the pros. He spent six seasons there, in all, playing largely in the Cardinals organization. He briefly made AA.
Botkin's pro career began in 1989, taken by the Cardinals in the 23rd round of the draft out of Clemson.
At Clemson, Botkin led his team with a 2.54 ERA in 1987, completing five games and throwing two shutouts. He had a 4.33 ERA over his college career, going 23-11.
He started with the Cardinals at rookie Johnson City. He went 3-3, with a 4.27 ERA. He then moved to single-A Springfield for 1990, also getting time at short-season Hamilton. He went 7-8, with a 2.53 ERA on the year.
Botkin played all of 1991 at Springfield, moving to a reliever's role. He then played 1992 at high-A St. Petersburg, continuing there in 1993. He went 3-3 in 1993, with a 3.17 ERA, ending his Cardinals career.
Botkin didn't play in 1994, but returned in 1995, getting three games with the Expos at AA Harrisburg, then playing out the year at independent Albany. That July, he threw a two-hit shutout for Albany.
Botkin then briefly returned to Albany for three outings in 1997, ending his playing career.
Botkin has since gone on to a career in education, long serving at Cardinal Newman High School in Florida, serving roles that included athletic director. More recently, he's serving as employee relations coordinator at Georgia Tech.
Originally published May 11, 2017
- Spartanburg Herald-Journal, May 16, 1989: Clemson catcher Mike Couture has 'the guts'
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