The Jackson Generals went down to a tough 3-1 defeat in this June 1992 game, but their starter, Ken Luckham, pitched well, The Jackson Clarion-Ledger wrote.
Luckham gave up three hits into the eighth inning, but one of those hits was a home run, The Clarion-Ledger wrote.
"In every game, you look for something encouraging," Jackson manager Rick Sweet told The Clarion-Ledger afterward. "Luck's outing was it."
Luckham had that outing in his sixth season as a pro. That season also marked his last. He topped out at AA.
Luckham's career began in 1987, taken by the Dodgers in the ninth round of the draft out of Los Amigos High School in California.
At Los Amigos, Luckham's pitching drew praise from opposing coaches, according to The Los Angeles Times, even as good starts ended in losses.
"He can get lost in the statistical shuffle, but I can't imagine a finer pitcher in Orange County," La Quinta High Coach Dave Demarest told The Times of Luckham. "Anyone who has any intelligence, as far as college or the pro profession, can see that the kid is a prospect."
Luckham started with the Dodgers at rookie Great Falls and in the Gulf Coast League. He went 2-0over 9 outings, six starts, with a 1.45 ERA.
He then played 1988 at short-season Salem and went 7-2, with a 3.67 ERA. He split 1989 between Salem and single-A Vero Beach. He went 6-7, with a 3.90 ERA on the year.
That August in 1989, Luckham threw three key relief innings after moving from starter to relief, The Salem Statesman Journal wrote.
"It's different," Luckham told The Statesman Journal of relieving. "I just enjoy throwing. Wherever they put me, I'm going to try to do my best."
For 1990, Luckham moved to the Astros system and high-A Osceola. He also played there in 1991 and part of 1992. He also played at Jackson in 1992. He went 3-6 over 16 outings, 13 starts at Jackson, with a 5.45 ERA to end his career.
- Los Angeles Times, March 20, 1987: Against the Odds: Los Amigos Ace Ken Luckham Gets Few Breaks
- Salem Statesman Journal, Aug. 15, 1989: Salem ends Giants' rally for 8-7 win
- Jackson Clarion-Ledger, June 5, 1992: Carman, Drillers dump Generals
Made the Majors:1,394-32.4%
Never Made Majors:2,911-67.6%-X
10+ Seasons in the Minors:349
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