Bill Losa helped San Jacinto College to the 1987 Junior College World Series title and, on the way, his hitting also put him in the same sentence as one of the game's greats, Kirby Puckett, as Losa tied Puckett's JUCO World Series record batting average, The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel wrote.
With that, two decades on, Losa told The Daily Sentinel that college title remained one of his life highlights, alongside the usual ones.
"It's right up there with my marriage, my four kids and my family," Losa told The Daily Sentinel. "That's a pretty proud moment."
While Losa could be mentioned alongside Puckett in that circumstance, he couldn't in another - as a major leaguer. Losa went on to play five seasons as a pro. He topped out at high-A.
Losa's career began that year in 1987, taken by the Rangers in the 18th round of the draft out of San Jacinto.
At San Jacinto, Losa's performance did get him mentioned in the years afterward alongside Puckett. In May 2001, the Junior College World Series tournament directors selected their top players, a list that started with Puckett and his .688 average, The Daily Sentinel wrote.
"But then you've got to go with Bill Losa," one director told The Daily Sentinel. "He did the same thing."
Losa started with the Rangers in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He hit .162 over 35 games, with three home runs.
The catcher then played 1988 between rookie Butte and single-A Gastonia. He hit .237 on the year in 100 games.
Losa then played 1989 and and abbreviated 1990 at single-A and high-A Port Charlotte. He returned in 1991 with the Indians at high-A Kinston. He hit .181 over 71 games to end his career.
- Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, May 25, 2001: JUCO Commissioners select their favorite tourney stars
- Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, May 25, 2007: JUCO title in '87 a milestone in Losa's life
Made the Majors:1,321-33.4%
Never Made Majors:2,637-66.6%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:540
10+ Seasons in the Minors:329
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