Jerry Rizza played three pro seasons, then moved on. He turned accountant, and semi-pro player in the New York City area, The North Jersey Herald & News wrote in 1992.
"I packed it in and went searching for a career," Rizza told The Herald & News. "I was done. I had no regrets. The time had come for me to get a real job."
Rizza's playing career spanned those three seasons, with the Athletics and a co-op team. He topped out at short-season.
Rizza's career began in 1988, taken by the Athletics in the 17th round of the draft out of Long Island University. Rizza's was also credited as Gerard Rizza.
Rizza started with the Athletics at short-season Southern Oregon. He saw 14 games on the mound, all in relief. He went 2-2, with a 3.60 ERA.
He then played 1989 in the rookie Arizona League and back at Southern Oregon. He went 3-0 overall, with a 5.24 ERA over 23 relief appearances.
Rizza returned for 1990, at co-op short-season Erie. He saw 18 appearances, one start. He went 0-1, with a 6.38 ERA to end his career.
He then went to semi-pro ball, with the Saddle Brook Colonials of the Metropolitan Baseball League. He threw a seven-inning one-hit shutout in a July 1992 game, losing the no-hitter on a questionable error call, The Herald & News wrote. Rizza took the call in stride.
"I kind of thought it was (a no-hitter)," Rizza told The Herald & News afterward. "Once they put the hit up on the board, I forgot about it."
- North Jersey Herald & News, Aug. 2, 1992: Colonials' Rizza finds his niche
- North Jersey Herald & News, July 31, 1992: One-hitter and one thing for certain...
Made the Majors:1,385-32.8%
Never Made Majors:2,842-67.2%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:562
10+ Seasons in the Minors:345
No comments:
Post a Comment