Yankees prospect J.T. Snow got off to a slow start at the plate for high-A Prince William in 1990 - he didn't hit his first home run until late May, The Newport News Daily Press.
But, regardless of his hitting, Snow pointed to something else in his game that stayed strong, his fielding, The Daily Press wrote.
"I take pride in my defense," the first baseman Snow told The Daily Press then. "The infielders know they have a guy who can scoop it up in the dirt. I hope they have confidence in the fact that I'm there."
Snow's hitting eventually warmed up along with his fielding, as he first made the majors two seasons later. He then went on to a major league career that spanned 16 seasons, saw him win six Gold Gloves.
Snow's career began in 1989, taken by the Yankees in the fifth round of the draft out of the University of Arizona. Snow is the son of former Los Angeles Ram Jack Snow.
Snow started with the Yankees at short-season Oneonta. He made Prince William in 1990 and then AA Albany-Colonie in 1991. For 1992, he made AAA Columbus.
In September 1992, Snow make the Bronx. He saw seven games and went 2 for 14. That December, the Yankees sent Snow to the Angels with two others for Jim Abbott.
Snow then became a major league regular. He saw 129 games with the Angels in 1993 and hit .241. He saw 61 in 1994 and 143 in 1995.
His 1995 campaign also saw him win his first Gold Glove. He then received it in a May 1996 game where he hit a home run - and promptly committed an error, The Los Angeles Times wrote.
"Let's talk about the home run instead," Snow told The Times after that game. "I will definitely remember this night and I'd rather remember the home run."
Despite that error, Snow went on to win the 1996 Gold Glove and the next four after that.
Snow moved to the Giants for 1997 and stayed with the club for nine seasons. He hit .281 his first year there, .284 in 2000 and .327 in 107 games in 2004.
In 2002, he and his Giants faced off against his former team the Angels in the World Series. Snow had a career Game 1 as he made a highlight catch and a big two-run home run in the win.
"I think there's four, five guys and one coach who are still here," Snow told The Associated Press afterward of his own time in Anaheim. "Still, it feels pretty good - it always feels good to do well against your former team."
In August 2004, Snow hit three home runs in a single game.
Snow last played a full season for San Francisco in 2005. He then saw 38 games with Boston in 2006 and one final game with he Giants in 2008 to end his career.
- Newport News Daily Press, May 21, 1990: Cannons' Snow's first homer sinks Pilots
- Los Angeles Times, May 5, 1996: Angels' Snow Has Matured Into Cool, Collected Veteran
- Scranton Times-Tribune, Oct. 20, 2002: Snow Everywhere In Giants' Victory
Made the Majors:1,352-33.2%-X
Never Made Majors:2,727-66.8%
5+ Seasons in the Majors:550-X
10+ Seasons in the Minors:333
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