Saturday, June 17, 2006 |
Today's Birthdays
Shawn Abner CAL b. 1966, played 1991. It's too bad that the Angels sent down Jered Weaver, because the Padres would then have a chance to see what they've missed. Scared off by "advisor" Scott Boras's demands of an eight-figure signing bonus and a major league contract for the 2004 draft's concensus top pick, he fell to the Angels at 12th overall. The guy they got instead, local product Matt Bush, broke his leg and has yet to advance beyond low-A ball. That's kind of the story with Abner: unable to work out a pre-draft deal with Mark McGwire prior to the 1984 draft, the Mets picked up this guy instead. He had somewhat of a less stellar career, and never hit for the kind of power they hoped; shipped to San Diego, they in turn traded him for the earthly remains of top 100 Angel Jack Howell. Released after 1992 spring training, Abner and his potential found a job for a year with the White Sox, but both were out of the majors afterwards.
Pete Browning BRO b. 1861, played 1894, d. 1905-09-10
Bob Coulson BRO b. 1887, played 1910-1911, d. 1953-09-11
Phil Douglas BRO b. 1890, played 1915, d. 1952-08-01
Bill Hubbell BRO b. 1897, played 1925, d. 1980-08-03
Mike Magnante ANA b. 1965, played 1999. Stephen Smith likes to point to the Magnante episode detailed in Moneyball as evidence that Billy Beane can be snookered, too; the A's gave up a first-round draft pick in the 2000 draft for what was essentially a mediocre middle reliever following a career year in 1999. The question that never gets answered thereafter, though, is what they did with that pick. Two words: Chris Bootcheck. Not much of a swindle, huh? It was kind of a weak draft class, though.
Chink Outen BRO b. 1905, played 1933, d. 1961-09-11
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