Cal State Dominguez Hills starter Bruce Vegely cruised along in this March 1988 game, opening the ninth with a 2-1 lead, The Los Angeles Times wrote.
But, after allowing two base runners that final inning, his coach pulled him for the closer. The closer then couldn't hold it and gave up the lead, The Times wrote.
"I probably made a mistake in taking out Vegely," Dominguez Hills coach Andy Lopez told The Times afterward.
Vegely, however, would continue to pitch. And soon, he would make the pros. His pro career lasted four seasons. He topped out at high-A.
Vegely's career began that year in 1988, taken by the Angels in the 27th round of the draft out of Dominguez Hills.
Vegely played his high school ball at Mariposa County High School, also lettering in football and basketball. He was named all-league his senior year. Upon his selection by the Angels, Vegely also got an official proclamation from the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors.
Vegely started with the Angels at short-season Bend. He went 1-2 over 18 outings, one start, with a 2.93 ERA.
He moved to single-A Quad City for 1989. He went 5-5 there, with a 3.89 ERA and two saves in 48 relief outings.
Vegely then returned to Quad City for 1990 and turned in a 2.28 ERA in 37 outings. That May, Vegely commended his catcher Larry Gonzales in The Moline Dispatch for his work behind the plate.
"I think the whole pitching staff has a lot of confidence in the way he handles a game," Vegely told The Dispatch.
Vegely played 1991 at high-A Palm Springs. He saw 40 relief outings. He saved three and ended with a 3.36 ERA. That season proved his last as a pro.
Vegely soon returned home to Mariposa and turned physical education teacher and head football and baseball coach at Mariposa High.
Vegely's Mariposa team took the section title in 2008 as he won coach of the year honors. As his team went for the championship, Vegely assessed his pitcher's performance to in the previous win to The Modesto Bee.
"People didn't see David at his best," Vegely told The Bee. "He typically has a great fastball to go with a changeup. He toughed this one out."
- Los Angeles Times, March 10, 1988: Mistake Pitches Cost Haslock a Save and Game for the Toros
- Moline Dispatch, May 6, 1990: Gonzales happily emerges as Q-C Angels' top catcher
- Modesto Bee, May 22, 2008: Mariposa sweeps past Golden Sierra in D-VI
Made the Majors:1,341-33.2%
Never Made Majors:2,696-66.8%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:547
10+ Seasons in the Minors:333
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