Taken by the Indians in 1987, Jamie Allison was ecstatic, according to his hometown Rock Island Argus.
The Indiana State junior had hit .350, with 10 home runs as he caught the notice of Cleveland in the 14th round that year.
"This is the greatest thing in the world," Allison told The Argus. "Can you imagine getting drafted? I'm very pleased and can't wait for the scouts to get here Wednesday to start negotiations. I'm anxious to see what they had to offer."
The Indians offered enough for Allison to sign and turn pro. He went on to see four seasons. He topped out at AA.
Allison started with the Indians at rookie Burlington. He hit .244 in 52 games. He then moved to the Indians' single-A co-op team in Reno. He hit .268 in 128 games there, with eight home runs and 31 stolen bases.
One of his home runs came in late-August and proved the difference in a Reno win, The Reno Gazette-Journal wrote.
"I was just trying to hit the ball up the middle," Allison told The Gazette-Journal of his home run. "The pitch was down and in. It was a pretty good pitch, actually."
Allison was more than happy to take the assignment to Reno, he told The Argus the next spring. He looked at it as a way to better build himself up in the eyes of the Cleveland brass.
"After my slow start, I felt the Indians looked at me as a non-prospect in spring training last season," Allison told The Argus. "But I accepted going to the co-op and put some numbers on the board. I made the California League All-Star team and had what most thought was a pretty good year."
Allison moved to single-A Kinston for 1989. He hit .250 there over 93 games. He then returned to Kinston at high-A for 1990 and saw AA Canton-Akron. He hit .242 over 99 total games in 1990. That season proved to be his last as a pro.
- Rock Island Argus, June 9, 1987: Former RI star Allison to join pro baseball ranks
- Reno Gazette-Journal, Aug. 23, 1988: Allison homer ends Reno's losing streak
- Rock Island Argus, March 26, 1989: Jamie Allison looks for more big numbers
Made the Majors:1,326-33.3%
Never Made Majors:2,660-66.7%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:543
10+ Seasons in the Minors:329
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