The Kansas City Star highlighted the Royals' efforts to sign Latin American talent in spring 1989, including the unusually difficult signing of Chris Garibaldo in Panama.
Signing Garibaldo was the Royals' Latin America scouting supervisor Herb Raybourn, The Star wrote.
"There was fighting in Panama, and they stopped him and wouldn't let him drive any further - they said the road was in a danger zone," Royals director of scouting Art Stewart told The Star. "So he went into this kid's down, about 4 or 5 miles away, on horseback. And he came out with a signed contract."
Garibaldo's pro career ended up lasting for three seasons. He topped out at high-A.
Garibaldo's career began in 1988, signed by the Royals as a free agent out of his native Panama. Garibaldo was also credited as Christobal Garibaldo and Vicente Garibaldo.
Garibaldo started with the Royals in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He saw 35 games and hit .228.
He then moved to single-A Appleton for 1989. He picked up two RBI in an April win. He hit .214 overall in 118 games.
For 1990, he briefly returned to Appleton, but spent the bulk of the season at high-A Baseball City. He hit a ninth-inning, bases-loaded single in an April win. He hit .201 overall in 100 games. That season marked his last as a pro.
Garibaldo, however, is credited with sticking with the game, playing for Panama in both the 2003 and 2005 World Baseball Cup and the 2006 World Baseball Classic. He's also credited as having worked as a coach and as a scout.
Made the Majors:1,389-32.5%
Never Made Majors:2,884-67.5%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:565
10+ Seasons in the Minors:347
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