Mets minor leaguer Andy Reich broke camp in 1989 with single-A Columbia, up from his rookie stint the year before.
On the move upward, organization pitching coach Jack Fisher spoke with The State in Columbia about Reich's arm and his determination, calling him "all business."
"He's in command of his emotions," Fisher told The State of Reich. "He doesn't get excited. That is almost a prerequisite for a successful pitcher."
Reich went on to play as a pro over six seasons. He only found enough success, however, to get to AA. He played at AA over two seasons, but he never made it higher.
Reich's career began in 1988, taken by the Mets in the 16th round of the draft out of Louisburg College in North Carolina.
At Louisburg, Reich helped his club to the National Junior College World Series, but Louisburg fell in a game where Reich struck out 13, all with a bad blister on his pitching hand middle finger, The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel wrote.
"It all came down to one pitch, and they hit it," Reich told The Daily Sentinel afterward. "There's nothing I can do about it now."
Reich started with the Mets at rookie Kingsport. He went 9-2 over 13 starts, with a 2.64 ERA. He then moved to Columbia for 1989 and went 11-5, with a 3.31 ERA over 20 outings, 13 starts.
He played most of 1990 back at Columbia, but briefly saw high-A St. Lucie. He returned to St. Lucie for all of 1991 and went 5-5, with a 2.67 ERA and 10 saves over 54 relief outings.
Reich arrived at AA Binghamton for 1991. In 41 relief appearances, he saved six and had a 2.67 mark. He played 1993 back at Binghamton and saw 24 relief outings. He went 0-4, with a 3.34 ERA and four saves. That season marked his last as a pro.
- Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, May 29, 1988: Finger hurt, but Reich not blistered until 9th
- The Columbia State, June 4, 1989: Unexpected
Made the Majors:1,282-33.7%
Never Made Majors:2,519-66.3%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:526
10+ Seasons in the Minors:318
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