Rick Falkner started off strong for the single-A Waterloo Indians in 1988, The Cedar Rapids Gazette wrote.
By mid-July, the month after the draft, Falkner had amassed three game-winning hits, and batted .420 over his first 50 at-bats, The Gazette wrote.
"It doesn't matter who's pitching, I'm just trying to do my job," Falkner told The Gazette. "I don't mind hitting over .400."
Falkner eventually cooled off, but went on to do his job in the pros over three seasons. He topped out at high-A.
Falkner's career began that year in 1988, taken by the Indians in the 24th round of the draft out of the University of Portland.
At Portland, Falkner won Player of the Week honors as a senior in May 1988, going 13 for 26, with five home runs in a six-game span.
Falkner started with the Indians at Waterloo. He saw 58 games there, as well as seven at rookie Burlington. He hit .285 between them, with four home runs.
Early that July, he picked up winners on consecutive nights, a double and a home run, both after the player in front of him was walked intentionally, The Waterloo Courier wrote.
"I don't know why he walked Bill again," Falkner told The Courier after the home run. "He hung a curve ball."
Falkner moved to single-A Kinston for 1989. He hit .237 in 111 games there, with nine home runs. He returned to Kinston at high-A in 1990. He saw 61 games and hit .242 to end his career.
- Waterloo Courier, July 7, 1988: Falkner's homer stings Reds again
- Cedar Rapids Gazette, July 14, 1988: Indians hammer Henry, send Reds to 4th loss in row, 10-1
Made the Majors:1,337-33.3%
Never Made Majors:2,679-66.7%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:547
10+ Seasons in the Minors:331
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