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Sunday, March 19, 2023

Tim Stange knew he had to earn college starting spot after injury; Played three pro seasons, made high-A

Tim Stange 1990 Lynchburg Red Sox card, Stange posed with glove

Cal Lutheran University hurler Tim Stange took the mound in long relief in early April 1987 for the first time in five weeks after injury, The Santa Clarita Signal wrote.

After walking the first batter, he then proceeded to set down 11 batters in a row, The Signal wrote.

"I was hoping to try and get back into the starting rotation," Stange told The Signal afterward. "I know I just can't come right back. I've got to earn it."

Stange, the son of former major leaguer Lee Stange, eventually earned his way from Cal Lutheran on to the pros. Stange, however, couldn't follow his father to the majors. Tim Stange played three seasons. He topped out at high-A.

Stange's career began in 1988, signed by the Red Sox as an undrafted free agent out of Cal Lutheran.

Stange's time in baseball actually started out with his father, at least his time at the ballpark. Then 3-year-old Tim Stange caught the eye of an Associated Press photographer having fun in the stands of a Red Sox-Twins game in May 1968.

Stange started with the Red Sox at short-season Elmira. That June, as he started with the club, Stange spoke to The Elmira Star-Gazette about his father. His father retired when Stange was 5.

"I have old pictures of him and newspaper clippings," Stange told The Star-Gazette.

Stange saw 11 relief outings that year at Elmira. He went 0-1, with a 4.55 ERA. 

He then moved to single-A Winter Haven for 1989. He got into 24 games there in relief. He picked up one win, a save and a 3.00 ERA.

For 1990, he arrived at high-A Lynchburg - his father coached that year at AAA Pawtucket. Stange saw 33 relief outings at Lynchburg. He went 0-3, with another save and a 5.97 ERA. That season marked his last as a pro.

Tim Stange 1990 Lynchburg Red Sox card, Stange posed with glove

1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:4,142
Made the Majors:1,369-33.1%
Never Made Majors:2,773-66.9%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:557
10+ Seasons in the Minors:337

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