Jimmy Myers, 1996 Fleer Update #U6

Pitchers and catchers reported today! So even though it's currently 10 degrees in my back yard, with a wind chill of -5 and an overnight low of zippo, Spring Training is here. Still, my excitement is somewhat subdued. After all, the next two weeks are nothing but practice and bland jargon-filled quotes from players and coaches. Then there's a full month of exhibition games with no stakes whatsoever. The bulk of the playing time will go to minor leaguers and retread veterans - the Jimmy Myers types. He was the "other Myers" on the 1996 Orioles, a ten-year minor league journeyman who inexplicably made the big league bullpen on Opening Day. The 27-year-old righty was scored upon in seven of his 11 regular-season appearances, including eight runs in his final two and one-third innings. That left him with a 7.07 ERA, a 1.5 WHIP, and a ticket back to Rochester. He'd hang around with various AAA clubs through the 1999 season, never returning to the majors.

What was I saying? Oh yeah...Spring Training! Think warm thoughts.

Roger McDowell, 1996 Fleer Update #U4

I've written in the past about Moe Drabowsky and some of his legendary pranks, but fellow relief pitcher Roger McDowell could have given him a real run for his money. Aside from the usual hot-foots (hot-feet?) and firecrackers, he was revealed on a memorable episode of Seinfeld as the spitter in the grassy knoll who launched a magic loogie onto Kramer and Newman. Here are some of his other greatest hits:

-During a nationally televised game in 1987, he appeared in the dugout with his pants over his head and his jersey on his lower body and shoes on his hands.

-After the Mets traded him to Philadelphia, the two teams played a spring training game in 1990. Roger tried to get a hold of a Mets uniform and sneak into their bullpen, but was unsuccessful.

-Once performed in an on-field mariachi band while with the Dodgers in 1991.

-In another incident from his Dodger days, he took the field with several pieces of sandpaper sticking out of various openings in his uniform and wore a full tool belt. You can see a picture of it here.

Did I miss any?

Scott McClain, 1996 Fleer Update #U3

A few days ago, I heard the name "Scott McClain" in the context of active ballplayers. I wondered if it could possibly be the same Scott McClain who was in the Orioles' organization in the mid-90's. It seemed near impossible that anyone would hang around the minor leagues for so long. I didn't give it much more thought. Wednesday night, I watched the end of the Yankees-Rays game on ESPN, and saw the results of the Giants-Rockies game scroll across the bottom of the screen. Someone named McClain had hit a home run. Sure enough, it's the same guy.

Scott McClain was drafted by the Orioles in the 22nd round of the 1990 draft. To give you some idea of how long ago that was, I'll list the O's starting rotation that year: Pete Harnisch, Dave Johnson, Bob Milacki, John Mitchell, and Ben McDonald made the lion's share of starts. Interestingly enough, a high school pitcher out of Deer Park, Texas named Andy Pettitte was taken just ten slots ahead of Scott in that draft. The young infielder had a slow but steady climb through the Baltimore farm system, finally reaching AAA Rochester at age 23 in 1995; he hit 21 total home runs that year. But after seven years, the Orioles traded him to the Mets in early 1997 along with Manny Alexander for Hector Ramirez, a pitcher who would never crack their roster.

In all, Scott would log three and one-half seasons at AAA before getting the call to the big leagues. It was 1998, and the 26-year-old spent much of the campaign tearing up the International League to the tune of 34 home runs and 109 RBI (tying for second in both categories). He struggled in two cups of coffee with the brand-new Devil Rays, going just 2-for-20. He did score his first career run on May 17 against the Orioles. But Scott wouldn't make it back to the bigs for another seven years. He spent four of those seasons (2001-2004) in Japan, hitting 71 home runs for the Seibu Lions. Despite averaging 30 home runs and over 100 RBI since his return to the States, McClain received only cursory glances at the major league level from the Cubs in 2005 and the Giants in 2005 and 2007, respectively.

Now 36 and playing his nineteenth season of pro ball with his eight franchise, Scott McClain has gotten one more September callup. Wednesday night he launched a no-doubter to left field against the Rockies. After hitting 358 home runs as a professional, he'd finally hit his first in the majors. In one game, Scott established career highs in hits, runs, home runs, and RBI.

Congratulations, Scott. It's never too late to start fresh.