Tim Meamber played it by ear, hoped to make bigs; Saw four pro seasons, made high-A
Three seasons into his pro career, Tim Meamber knew the odds of making the majors, he told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
He'd played organized baseball since age 7, and he wanted to continue playing, he told The Post-Dispatch.
"I'm just playing it by ear," Meamber told The Post-Dispatch. "Of course, I hope to make it to the 'bigs.' But it's crowded in the minors (with the Cardinals), a lot of competition."
Meamber never did make the majors. He played one more season. He topped out at high-A.
Meamber's career began in 1987, signed by the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Nevada Las Vegas and St. Louis Community College-Meramec.
At UNLV, Meamber went 12-4 his junior year, but started his senior season 3-4. His ERA, however, improved year-to-year, The Post-Dispatch wrote.
"I don't feel I'm pitching that much worse. It's just the way the ball's bouncing," Meamber told The Post-Dispatch of his reduced record. "Last year is kind of misleading because we had such a superb club (including Matt Williams) behind us."
Meamber started with the Cardinals at short-season Erie. He went 0-5, with a 5.40 ERA over 20 outings, three starts.
He moved to single-A Savannah in 1988, then single-A Springfield in 1989. He went 10-8 at Springfield, with a 3.19 ERA over 37 outings, 16 starts.
For 1990, he played at high-A St. Petersburg and at Springfield. He went 5-13 on the season, with a 5.61 ERA in 32 outings, 18 starts. That season proved his last as a pro.
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 24, 1987: At UNLV, Righthander Has His Cake - And Bakes It, Too
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Sept. 17, 1989: Tim Meamber
Made the Majors:1,324-33.3%
Never Made Majors:2,650-66.7%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:541
10+ Seasons in the Minors:329
