Good topic! I think of Jefferies in the same light as a Trot Nixon, who ended up having a gritty, serviceable career, but was never the superstar that he had been projected to be. And of course, from Boston we had Phil Plantier, who crushed 33 homers while in Pawtucket, but then could never quite make that translate at Fenway. And there was Craig Hansen, straight out of St. John's and brought to Boston too quickly. Instead of being the dominant closer of the future, Hansen found himself quickly out of Major League Baseball.
Dec 28, 2023·edited Dec 28, 2023Liked by Patrick Glancy
Thanks for distinguishing between a perceived bust and a bust. I had seen John Jaha in AA playing for Midland (Texas) in 1991, and the press at the time had him as the new baseball savior.
Years later, I went to a Cubs game in Chicago, and he was with the Brewers.To my surprise, he started at first base, hit a home run off Steve Trachsel, and was intentionally walked. I never saw him play again after that.
I mentioned to a Brewers fan next to me (yes, the Brewers fan was eating) that I'd seen Jaha in Midland, and the fellow went off on a "bust" and "disappointment" tirade. I explained, "If he'd been in the majors since 1992, that was a very respectable career." The fellow kept spewing.
Finally, my brother-in-law said, "Your wife didn't end up looking like Cindy Crawford either."
We had to move.
Thanks for the sane article. Getting to the majors is a huge accomplishment, and staying there is a larger one.
At least Van Poppel made it to the majors. Brien Taylor was drafted #1 overall by the Yankees the next year (1991), injured his shoulder in a fight while still in the minors, and never made it past Class AA. Luckily for most baseball fans, this botched draft pick kept the Yankees from another long run of success in the following years. Sigh.
Dec 27, 2023·edited Dec 27, 2023Liked by Patrick Glancy
Van Poppel got a lot of hype because there was an SI article about him, not to mention all the baseball card companies hopping on the "rookie card craze" trend.
Good piece of writing! You're right, it's tough to make it to the Show. I'm sure there are more busts than make it in MLB. The Braves lucked out with going with Chipper Jones huh, he's still helping out with the hitters and watching the games in prime seats most nights in Atlanta. He was a great player, maybe that has several meanings if you know what I mean. Anyway, boys will be boys when they are on the road. Thanks for your stories!
Good topic! I think of Jefferies in the same light as a Trot Nixon, who ended up having a gritty, serviceable career, but was never the superstar that he had been projected to be. And of course, from Boston we had Phil Plantier, who crushed 33 homers while in Pawtucket, but then could never quite make that translate at Fenway. And there was Craig Hansen, straight out of St. John's and brought to Boston too quickly. Instead of being the dominant closer of the future, Hansen found himself quickly out of Major League Baseball.
VP was David Clyde lite. Who remembers him?
Thanks for distinguishing between a perceived bust and a bust. I had seen John Jaha in AA playing for Midland (Texas) in 1991, and the press at the time had him as the new baseball savior.
Years later, I went to a Cubs game in Chicago, and he was with the Brewers.To my surprise, he started at first base, hit a home run off Steve Trachsel, and was intentionally walked. I never saw him play again after that.
I mentioned to a Brewers fan next to me (yes, the Brewers fan was eating) that I'd seen Jaha in Midland, and the fellow went off on a "bust" and "disappointment" tirade. I explained, "If he'd been in the majors since 1992, that was a very respectable career." The fellow kept spewing.
Finally, my brother-in-law said, "Your wife didn't end up looking like Cindy Crawford either."
We had to move.
Thanks for the sane article. Getting to the majors is a huge accomplishment, and staying there is a larger one.
At least Van Poppel made it to the majors. Brien Taylor was drafted #1 overall by the Yankees the next year (1991), injured his shoulder in a fight while still in the minors, and never made it past Class AA. Luckily for most baseball fans, this botched draft pick kept the Yankees from another long run of success in the following years. Sigh.
Van Poppel got a lot of hype because there was an SI article about him, not to mention all the baseball card companies hopping on the "rookie card craze" trend.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's!!!
Mid February is coming up quickly and Spring Training games are a few weeks later.
Good piece of writing! You're right, it's tough to make it to the Show. I'm sure there are more busts than make it in MLB. The Braves lucked out with going with Chipper Jones huh, he's still helping out with the hitters and watching the games in prime seats most nights in Atlanta. He was a great player, maybe that has several meanings if you know what I mean. Anyway, boys will be boys when they are on the road. Thanks for your stories!