Doug Saunders' teammates at AAA learned of his June 1993 call-up to the Mets from TV before Saunders heard, he recounted later to The Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin.
But soon he was on his way to the bigs - and Mets manager Dallas Green had him penciled into the lineup in the second spot, The Press and Sun-Bulletin wrote.
"I'm having a great time here, but I don't (know) what will happen," Saunders told The Press and Sun-Bulletin in his update.
Saunders went on to see a total of 28 games in the majors for the Mets that year. He hit .209. Those big league games proved to be the extent of his major league career.
Saunders' career began in 1988, taken by the Mets in the third round of the draft out of Esperanza High School in California.
Saunders signed with the Mets over accepting a scholarship to the University of Illinois, The Los Angeles Times wrote.
"It's something I've been thinking about for the last couple of weeks, Saunders told The Times, explaining his choice to go pro. "It just seems like the right route to take right now."
Saunders started with the Mets between the rookie Gulf Coast League and short-season Little Falls. He hit .280 over 45 games between them.
He moved to single-A Columbia for 1989, then high-A St. Lucie for 1990 and 1991. He hit .225 at St. Lucie in 1990, then .235 there in 1991.
Saunders made AA Binghamton for 1992 and hit .248. He then started 1993 at AAA Norfolk, before he made his debut with the Mets June 13.
Saunders ended up getting 14 hits with the Mets over 67 at bats. He doubled twice.
He then played 1994 back at Binghamton. He hit .284 in 96 games. He then played 1995 largely in the Mariners system, briefly with the Athletics. He saw five games at AAA with the Athletics and 50 at AAA with the Mariners.
He then saw 40 more with the Mariners at AAA Tacoma in 1996, then 73 still with the Mariners at AA Memphis in 1997 to end his career.
- Los Angeles Times, July 11, 1988: Mets Sig Esperanza's Saunders
- Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin, June 16, 1993: Everything is peachy-keen for Saunders
Made the Majors:1,276-33.8%-X
Never Made Majors:2,496-66.2%
5+ Seasons in the Majors:525
10+ Seasons in the Minors:313
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