A change in his manager's strategy in this extra-inning game at Port Charlotte in 1988 gave Fred Samson the chance to be the game's hero and Samson took advantage, The Fort Myers News-Press wrote.
In the bottom of the 11th inning, with a teammate in scoring position, Sampson knocked a single to knock in the game-winner, The News-Press wrote.
"Originally (Manager) Bobby (Jones) wanted me to bunt and I fouled it off," Samson told The News-Press afterward. "But the second time he didn't give it (the bunt sign) to me."
Samson picked up that game-winner in his third season as a pro, a season where he first saw AA Tulsa. He went on to play in four more campaigns, but he didn't make it higher.
Samson's career began in 1986, signed by the Rangers as an undrafted free agent out of the College of Central Florida.
Samson started with the Rangers in the rookie Gulf Coast League and at single-A Daytona Beach. He hit .282 over 38 games.
He then stayed at single-A in 1987, at Port Charlotte. He hit .285 in 83 games before a season-ending wrist injury, a hairline fracture, suffered on a slide, The Tampa Tribune wrote.
"I played about four more innings," Samson recalled to The Tribune of the injury that August. "I finished the game. I just thought I sprained some ligaments."
Samson returned to Port Charlotte for 44 games in 1988 and also saw 14 at AA Tulsa. He went 9 for 49 at Tulsa. He saw another 43 games between those two teams in 1989.
For 1990, Samson played the full season at then-high-A Port Charlotte. He hit .286 over 104 games and made the Florida State League All-Star team.
Samson played 1991 at Tulsa, hitting .208 in 69 games. He then moved to independent Salt Lake City for 1992. He hit .253 there in 52 games to end his career.
- Tampa Tribune, Aug. 6, 1987: Wrist injury won't hamper determination of Samson
- Fort Myers News-Press, July 8, 1988: Charlotte Rangers win in 11
Made the Majors:1,322-33.4%
Never Made Majors:2,638-66.6%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:541
10+ Seasons in the Minors:329
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