Former East St. Louis High star Bobby DeLoach wasn't sure what to make of the Cardinal's invitation to a two-day tryout camp in June 1985. He'd been to a different camp the previous summer and no one seemed to have gotten signed, he told his hometown Belleville News-Democrat.
But he went, did well and it immediately paid off with a phone call offering a contract, The News-Democrat wrote.
"I was kind of shocked because they never said anything about signing me when I left," DeLoach told The News-Democrat. "It was really exciting, because I've always dreamed of playing pro ball."
DeLoach went on to play seven pro seasons, most with the Cardinals and one with the Blue Jays. He topped out at AA.
DeLoach's career began that year in 1985, signed by the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent out of East St. Louis High.
He started with the Cardinals at rookie Johnson City. He hit .221 in 46 games. He then played 1986 between Johnson City and single-A Savannah. He again hit .221, over 57 games.
DeLoach returned to Savannah for 28 games in 1987, but then went out with an arm issue. He underwent surgery and lost all of 1988. He then returned to Savannah for a full season in 1989. He hit .220 in 110 games, with 10 home runs.
For 1990, he made high-A St. Petersburg. His manager Joe Pettini praised DeLoach's power that June, as well as his work ethic, to The Tampa Tribune.
"We've mainly worked on his patience at the plate," Pettini told The Tribune. "And I can't say enough about how hard he's worked on it."
DeLoach saw 123 games that year at St. Petersburg. He hit .238, with nine home runs. He moved to the Blue Jays system and AA Knoxville for 1991. He saw 116 games there and hit .267 to end his career.
- Belleville News-Democrat, June 27, 1985: DeLoach's change of heart pays off
- Tampa Tribune, June 6, 1990: DeLoach waiting to hit the big time
Made the Majors:1,326-33.3%
Never Made Majors:2,658-66.7%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:543
10+ Seasons in the Minors:329
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