College player Dennis Kidd hadn't played in three months, but he hoped at this pro tryout camp, his speed would carry him on to the pros, The Albuquerque Journal wrote.
"I'm weak now, but I'll get stronger," Kidd told The Journal as he prepared to run the 60-yard dash. "My strength is my speed."
Kidd ended up with one of the fastest times in the tryout, but it didn't seem to help him get signed. He eventually did turn pro, but he did so with independent clubs three years later. He played three total seasons. He made high-A.
Kidd's pro career began in 1989, signed by independent Salt Lake City out of Nicholls State University in Louisiana.
Kidd grew up in Albuquerque and attended Sandia High School there. In March 1985, his coach there, Hank Paskiewicz ranked Kidd as the best defensive centerfielder in the city, The Journal wrote.
That April, The Journal called Kidd one of the hottest hitters in the state, after a slow start.
"I'm seeing the ball great," Kidd told The Journal. "I was hitting off my front foot at the beginning of the year, now I'm keeping m weight back."
After college, Kidd signed with Salt Lake City. He saw 12 games in 1989 and went 13 for 39, with two home runs.
He then returned to Salt Lake for eight games in 1990, and then moved to high-A independent Miami for the rest of 1990. He hit .255 on the year in 110 games. He stole nine bases.
Kidd returned to Miami for 1991. He got into 115 games, hit six home runs and ended with a a .243 average. That season marked his last as a pro.
- Albuquerque Journal, March 26, 1985: Matadors Look for Pitching
- Albuquerque Journal, April 27, 1985: Matadors Smash Bulldogs, 24-10, With 17 Hits
- Albuquerque Journal, July 27, 1986: Prospects Try To Turn Dreams Into Reality
Made the Majors:1,294-33.4%
Never Made Majors:2,578-66.6%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:528
10+ Seasons in the Minors:324
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