1989 Yankee Prospect Profiles

HENSLEY MEULENS
"'Bam-Bam' is known for his power, but he remains a raw talent. He batted .245 with 13 home runs and 40 RBI for Albany-Colonie (AA) and continued to struggle after being promoted to Columbus (AAA), hitting .230 with six home runs and 22 RBI in 55 games. Meulens averaged close to one strikeout for every three at-bats at each stop. He's an unpolished defensive third baseman but led the Carolina League with 28 homers in 1987.
Born in Curacao, Meulens was signed by the Yankees as a free agent on October 31, 1985."

-Tom Pedulla, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1989 Edition

"Baseball terminology is quite simple. Take Yankee prospect Hensley Meulens, whose monicker is 'Bam-Bam.' In baseball lingo you get a name like that for two reasons: you're 6'3" and you can tear the cover off the ball. Well, Meulens answers the bell on both counts. When the Yankees traded Jay Buhner because of an abundance of strong right-handed hitters [sic], this is one of the big guns they were talking about.
This 21-year-old third baseman turned a lot of heads by hitting 13 homers in Double-A last year, and then six more after being promoted to Columbus. Credited with a strong arm, Meulens can also play the outfield and has also seen some action at first base. Besides playing three positions, this versatile youngster can also speak four languages: English, Spanish, Dutch and Papiamento- spoken in his native Curacao.
Whatever the language, Hensley Meulens is waiting for the call that might bring him to the Yankees."

-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook

"Meulens began the 1988 season at Albany-Colonie of the AA Eastern League and batted .245 in 79 games with nine doubles, 13 home runs and 40 RBIs with 96 strikeouts. He was named as the starter at third base in the Eastern League All-Star Game. He started all 79 games at third base and committed 23 errors but did tie for the Eastern League lead in double plays by a third baseman (18).
He was promoted to AAA Columbus on July 5 and played 55 games with the Clippers, batting .230 with nine doubles, six home runs and 22 RBIs with 61 strikeouts. Hensley played 54 games at third for the Clippers and committed 14 errors. He was added to the Yankees 40-man roster in November and signed a contract for the 1989 season.
Signed by the Yankees organization on October 31, 1985, Meulens played 59 games in 1986, his first professional season, at 'A' Sarasota and batted .233 with four home runs and 31 RBIs with 66 strikeouts. He led the Gulf Coast League in strikeouts while leading the league's third basemen in games (59), total chances (178), putouts (40) and assists (118). Meulens was named as the third baseman on the Gulf Coast League All-Star team.
He began the 1987 season at 'A' Prince William where he played 116 games and batted .300 (129-for-430) with 76 runs, 23 doubles, 28 home runs, 103 RBIs, 14 stolen bases and 124 strikeouts. He led the Carolina League in home runs and led the league's third basemen in errors (37). Hensley was named to the 1987 Carolina League All-Star team as a utility infielder. He finished the season by playing 17 games at 'A' Ft. Lauderdale where he hit .172 (10-for-58) with two RBIs and 25 strikeouts.
Hensley is a native of Curacao (part of the Netherlands Antilles, located in the Caribbean Sea), where he still lives."

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide


DAVE EILAND
"With a large group of pitchers competing for jobs on the Yankee staff for 1989, Dave Eiland knew he was in a numbers game. But don't count out the youngster or his talent just yet. He showed the baseball world last year that anything's possible.
When the Yanks were in the midst of pitching problems, they reached down to Columbus on August 3 and made the rather curious selection of Eiland to come to their aid. Curious because the 22-year-old right-hander had made only one start for the Clippers after arriving from Double-A. Eiland pitched brilliantly in his major league debut.
He returned to Columbus after two less impressive outings but made a name for himself. He jumped two levels last year, so with a little more experience don't be surprised to see him in New York in 1989."

-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook

"Eiland began the 1988 season with Albany-Colonie (AA Eastern League) where he was 9-5 with a 2.56 ERA in 18 games (all starts) with 22 walks and 66 strikeouts in 118.1 innings pitched. He was promoted to the Columbus Clippers (AAA International League) and made one appearance at that level, a start on July 29 in Columbus against Toledo, winning 5-3 and allowing two earned runs on five hits in seven innings.
He had his contract purchased by the Yankees on August 3 and made his major league debut that night in a start against the Brewers in Milwaukee. He got a no-decision in that game, a 6-5 Yankee loss. Eiland pitched seven innings and allowed three hits and one run with two walks and three strikeouts.
Eiland gave up a leadoff home run to Paul Molitor, the first batter he faced in the majors. After he walked the next batter, Jim Gantner, he allowed just three more Brewers to reach base through seven innings; after Molitor's homer, only one other Brewer was able to reach second. Eiland left the game with the Yankees leading 5-1, but Milwaukee came back with five runs off Dave Righetti in the final two innings to win.
His second start with the Yanks came on August 11 in New York against Toronto, when he lasted just 1.2 innings. He allowed three runs on four hits, with all the runs coming on two solo home runs by Ernie Whitt and a solo shot by Rance Mullinicks, but Eiland got a no-decision in New York's 6-5 loss. His third and final start for the Yankees came on August 17 against California, when he gave up eight hits and five earned runs in four innings, including solo homers to Jack Howell and Wally Joyner, with a walk and two strikeouts and again got a no-decision in the Yankees' eventual 11-7 win.
Overall in his three starts, Eiland allowed nine earned runs in 12.2 innings (6.39 ERA), six of those earned runs coming on solo homers, with four walks, seven strikeouts and a batting average against of .294. He was optioned back to Columbus on August 18, where he finished the season. Overall with the Clippers, Eiland was 1-1 in four starts with a 2.59 ERA, six walks and 13 strikeouts. He signed a contract for the 1989 season.
Eiland was originally selected by the Yankees in the 7th round of the June 1987 free agent draft. He began his first professional season at Oneonta ('A' New York-Penn League) and went 4-0 with a 1.84 ERA in five games (all starts). He was promoted to Ft. Lauderdale ('A' Florida State League) where he was 5-3 with a 1.88 ERA in eight starts, including four complete games and a shutout.
Prior to being drafted, Eiland attended the University of Florida where he played football (defensive end) and baseball before transferring to the University of South Florida, where he was playing when drafted. He was signed by Yankee scout Jack Gillis."

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide


KEVIN MAAS (1988 Yankee Minor League Player of the Year)
"Selected by the Yankees in the 22nd round of the 1986 June draft, Kevin was named the Yankees 1988 Minor League Player of the Year after hitting 28 homers and driving in 90 runs for Albany-Colonie and Prince William. A .282 hitter through three years of pro ball, he may become a full-time outfielder."

-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook

"Maas was named the 1988 Yankee Minor League Player of the Year.
He started the season with 'A' Prince William of the Carolina League and batted .296 in 29 games with seven doubles, 12 home runs and 35 RBIs. He was promoted to AA Albany-Colonie of the Eastern League on May 13, where he finished the season.
Kevin was named to play in the mid-season Eastern League All-Star Game and was selected as the first baseman on the postseason Eastern League All-Star team. He was named Topps Minor League Player of the Month in the Eastern League for August, when he batted .243 in 31 games with 20 runs scored, six home runs and 16 RBIs (including four game-winning RBIs).
He batted .263 in 108 games at Albany with 66 runs, 14 doubles, 16 home runs and 55 RBIs with 103 strikeouts. He finished third in the Eastern League in home runs and third in walks (64). His combined 28 home runs at Prince William and Albany led the Yankee farm system. Maas was added to the Yankees' 40-man roster in November. He signed a contract for the 1989 season.
Maas spent the 1987 season at 'A' Ft. Lauderdale of the Florida State League where he batted .278 (122-for-439) with 28 doubles, 11 home runs, 73 RBIs, 14 stolen bases and 108 strikeouts. He played 76 of his 116 games at first base but was named as the designated hitter on the Florida State League All-Star team.
He was the Yankees' 22nd pick in the June 1986 free agent draft. He played 28 games with Oneonta, where he batted .356 with 10 doubles and 18 RBIs in his first professional season.
Kevin attended the University of California at Berkeley following his graduation from Bishop O'Dowd (CA) High School. He is the younger brother of Jason Maas, an outfielder in the Yankee organization."

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide


DANA RIDENOUR
"Selected by the Yankees in the 16th round of the 1986 June draft, Dana split 1988 between Columbus and Albany-Colonie and did a fine job in relief, winning six games and saving 14. He throws a very effective split-fingered fastball.
Dana was the Yankees Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 1987 when he saved 21 games. He has struck out 217 batters in 165 professional innings."

-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook

"Ridenour began the 1988 season with AA Albany-Colonie of the Eastern League, where he was 5-4 in 30 games (all in relief) with 14 saves and a 3.92 ERA in 43.2 innings with 56 strikeouts. He ranked fifth in the Eastern League in saves and had the highest strikeouts per nine innings pitched ratio in the league (11.54 K).
Named as a pitcher for the mid-season Eastern League All-Star Game, Dana was promoted to AAA Columbus on July 24 and was 1-2 and no saves in 14 relief appearances for the Clippers with a 2.11 ERA in 21.1 innings and 24 strikeouts. He has appeared in 110 games in his three-year professional career, all in relief. He was added to the Yankees' 40-man roster in November and signed a contract for the 1989 season.
Ridenour was named the Yankees 1987 Minor League Pitcher of the Year. He appeared in 43 games in relief for 'A' Ft. Lauderdale, going 5-4 with 21 saves, 90 strikeouts and a 1.77 ERA in 66 innings. He led Florida State League relievers in batting against (.168) and highest strikeout per nine innings ratio (12.27) while finishing third in saves. Dana was named to the Florida State League All-Star team as a reliever.
He was the Yankees' 16th round pick in the June 1986 free agent draft. He appeared in 23 games in relief at Oneonta in his first professional season, going 4-2 with eight saves, 47 strikeouts and a 1.56 ERA in 34.2 innings.
Dana attended UCLA after graduating from Sylmar (CA) High School in 1983."

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide


DARRIN CHAPIN
"Selected by the Yankees in the 6th round of the 1986 January draft, Darrin spent a majority of the '88 season at Fort Lauderdale where he went 6-4 in 38 relief appearances with 15 saves and a remarkable 0.86 ERA. He was converted into a reliever prior to the start of the '87 season."

-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook

"Chapin spent most of the 1988 season at Ft. Lauderdale of the 'A' Florida State League but also pitched briefly at Albany-Colonie of the AA Eastern League.
He began the season at Ft. Lauderdale and on June 1 was promoted to Albany. Darrin pitched in three games at Albany (all in relief), going 0-0 with an 11.25 ERA in four innings with four strikeouts before returning to Ft. Lauderdale on June 18 where he finished the season.
Overall at Ft. Lauderdale, he was 6-4 in 38 games (all in relief) with 15 saves, 57 strikeouts and a 0.86 ERA in 63 innings pitched. His 15 saves ranked sixth in the Florida State League. Darrin was added to the Yankees' 40-man roster in November. He signed a contract for the 1989 season.
Darrin was converted into a reliever prior to the 1987 season. In 25 relief appearances with Oneonta, he went 1-1 with 12 saves, 26 strikeouts and a 0.68 ERA in 40 innings pitched.
Selected by the Yankees in the 6th round of the January 1986 free agent draft, Chapin was used exclusively as a starter in his first pro season, going 4-3 in 13 starts for Sarasota with 67 strikeouts and a 3.24 ERA in 83.1 innings pitched. He had two complete games, both shutouts, but led the league in runs allowed (42).
Darrin attended Cleveland State University and Cuyahoga Community College."

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide


HAL MORRIS
"Selected by the Yankees in the 8th round of the 1986 June draft, Hal is an excellent hitter who owns a .313 minor league batting average. He hit .296 in 121 games at Columbus in '88, was called to New York three times and saw action in 15 games.
In 1987 Hal led the Eastern League in hits (173) and at-bats (530). He has a great deal of experience as a first baseman."

-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook

"Hal began the 1988 season with the Columbus Clippers and had his contract purchased by the Yankees on July 29. At that point, he was hitting .290 for the Clippers with 18 doubles, three home runs and 34 RBIs. He made his major league debut that day at Toronto in a pinch-hitting role in the ninth inning, hitting a single off Duane Ward. Hal appeared in two more games (going 0-for-1) before being optioned back to Columbus on August 5.
He was recalled by the Yankees a second time on August 18, hitting .301 with three homers and 36 RBIs with the Clippers at the time. After making two pinch-hit appearances with New York following that recall, Hal made his first major league start on August 21 against Seattle in left field, going 0-for-3. He played a total of three games with the Yankees before being optioned back on August 22. He remained with the Clippers through the conclusion of their season, finishing with a .296 batting average (134-for-452) in 121 games with 19 doubles, three home runs and 38 RBIs.
Hal was recalled by the Yankees for a third and final time on September 2 and notched his second and final hit of the year on September 7 against Cleveland, a pinch-hit single off Rod Nichols in the 7th inning (both his hits in 1988 were as a pinch hitter) and eventually came around to score, his only run of the year. After that hit, Hal went hitless in his final 11 at-bats (including five strikeouts), going 0-for-6 in six pinch-hitting appearances and then 0-for-5 on October 2 at Detroit, where he made his second start of the season, also in left field.
Overall in his three starts with the Yankees covering 15 games, Hal was 2-for-20 (.100) with a run scored and nine strikeouts. He signed a contract for the 1989 season.
Hal spent the entire 1987 season at Albany-Colonie (AA) where he hit .326 in 135 games with five home runs and 73 RBIs. He led the Eastern League in hits (173) and at-bats (530) and also led the league's first basemen in games played at that position (130).
Selected by the Yankees in the 8th round of the June 1986 free agent draft, Hal spent most of the '86 season at Oneonta ('A' New York-Penn League) where he hit .378 with three home runs and 30 RBIs in 36 games. He was named to the New York-Penn League All-Star team at first base and also was named the league's Rookie of the Year. He was promoted to Albany and hit .215 in 25 games there with four RBIs.
Hal graduated from Munster (Indiana) High School and attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor."

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide


JOHN FISHEL
"Acquired from Houston last January, John appeared in 19 games with the Astros in '88, hitting .251. He played most of the season at Tucson where he hit .261 with 18 homers and 68 RBI in 102 games and was named to the Triple-A All-Star team."

-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook

"John began the 1988 season with the Houston Astros' AAA Tucson Toros of the Pacific Coast League, where he batted .261 in 102 games with 18 home runs and 68 RBIs. His homer total was tied for fourth place in the PCL and not only led the Toros but was the highest total by a Tucson player since Wes Clements hit 20 in 1983.
He hit .536 (15-for-28) during the week of June 15-21 with five home runs and 15 RBIs. He played in the first Triple-A All-Star Game in Buffalo, where he went 1-for-2. John was purchased by Houston from Tucson on July 14 and made his major league debut that night at Philadelphia, going 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter.
In his next game, on July 16 at Philadelphia, he had a pinch-hit single off Bruce Ruffin for his first hit. John remained with the Astros from the time of his purchase through the end of the season, and in his 19 games with Houston batted .231 (6-for-26) with a home run and two RBIs.
John's home run came on September 3 in the Astrodome against St. Louis, a pinch-hit solo homer off Steve Peters. He went 2-for-4 on September 28 in his first start at Atlanta. Following the season he spent time with Houston's team in the Instructional League working on his catching. John was acquired by the Yankees from Houston along with pitchers Pedro De Leon and Mike Hook in January of 1989. He signed a contract for the 1989 season.
Originally selected by the Yankees in the 8th round of the June 1981 free agent draft, John was selected by the Astros in the 9th round of the June 1985 free agent draft. In his first year as a professional he hit .261 with nine homers and 42 RBIs at Auburn. In 1986, he led the Florida State League with 36 doubles at Osceola, hitting .269 with 12 homers and 83 RBIs.
John established career highs in 1987 with 24 home runs and 87 RBIs to lead Columbus of the AA Southern League. He surged to the team lead by homering in five straight games from August 24-28, a total of six home runs. He hit a pair of homers in one game three times during the year (April 20 against Knoxville, June 28 at Huntsville and August 27 at Charleston).
His longest hitting streak was a seven-game stretch from April 30-May 6. He twice had four hits in a game and finished with 29 multi-hit games and 23 multi-RBI games. John went to the Instructional League and hit .368 and led his team with 25 RBIs and a .684 slugging percentage in 22 games.
After graduating from Loara (CA) High School, John was the MVP of the 1984 Division I College World Series while leading Cal State Fullerton to the NCAA Championship. He tied a Series record with 13 hits and finished with a .520 average and 10 RBIs. He finished his career at Fullerton by setting a national record for at-bats (1,114) and school marks for games (295), hits (379), doubles (72) and RBIs (281)."

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide

Tied for Florida State League lead in sacrifice flies (10), 1986.
Tied for Florida State League lead among third basemen for total chances (418) and double plays (20), 1986.

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide


OSCAR AZOCAR
"Signed by the Yankees in November 1983, Oscar was formerly a pitcher. He's now an outstanding outfield prospect in the organization.
Oscar played extremely well at Albany-Colonie in 1988. He was named to the Eastern League All-Star team and hit .273 with 66 RBI, 60 runs scored and 21 stolen bases. He led the league in games, at-bats and triples and was second in hits and stolen bases."

-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook

"Azocar played the entire 1988 season with the AA Albany-Colonie Yankees of the Eastern League and batted .273 with six home runs, 66 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. He led the Eastern League in games (138), at-bats (543) and triples (9) and was second in hits (148) and total bases (206). He also led all outfielders in errors (15). Azocar was named as an outfielder on the postseason Eastern League All-Star team. He was added to the 40-man roster in November 1988 and signed a contract for the 1989 season.
After spending his professional career as a pitcher, he was converted to an outfielder prior to the 1987 season. In his initial campaign as an everyday player, Oscar batted .359 in 53 games for the Ft. Lauderdale Yankees of the 'A' Florida State League, with six home runs and 39 RBIs.
Signed by the Yankees as a free agent in November 1983, Oscar was 4-1 at Sarasota in 1984 in his first professional season, with a 1.28 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) with 60 strikeouts in 56.1 innings pitched. He spent time with both Sarasota and Oneonta in 1985. At Sarasota he was 4-0 with a 1.45 ERA in five games (four starts) with 36 strikeouts in 37.1 innings, and at Oneonta was 0-2 with a 4.86 ERA in 14 games (two starts).
In 1986, his final season as a pitcher, Azocar posted a record of 4-2 and a 3.25 ERA in six games at Sarasota (five starts) before being promoted to Oneonta, where he appeared in 10 games (one start) with a record of 2-0, a 2.86 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 22 innings.
Oscar resides in Caracas, Venezuela."

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide


BRIAN DORSETT
"Acquired from California in November 1988, Brian spent most of  '88 at Triple-A Edmonton where he hit .262 with 11 home runs and 31 RBI in 55 games. He also appeared in seven games with the Angels."

-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook

"Dorsett opened 1988 on Cleveland's 40-man roster but did not play in any games while recovering from arthroscopic surgery that was performed on his right elbow on March 23. He was acquired by the Angels organization on July 8 for a player to be named later and was assigned to the Edmonton Trappers, California's AAA Pacific Coast League affiliate. Brian batted .262 with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs in 53 games at Edmonton.
He had his contract purchased by the Angels on September 1, and in seven games with California batted .091 (1-for-11) with two RBIs. His one hit and two RBIs came on September 6 at Kansas City on a two-run single off Mark Gubicza in his only at-bat. After that he went 0-for-8 in his remaining five games, striking out three times in as many at-bats on September 9 at Cleveland. Brian committed three passed balls in his seven games and did not appear after September 13. He was obtained by the Yankees from Edmonton in November 1988 in exchange for pitcher Eric Schmidt and signed for the 1989 season.
Dorsett was Oakland's 10th round selection in the June 1983 free agent draft and began his pro career with Medford of the Northwest League. He spent just 14 games there, batting .271 and earning a promotion to Class-A Madison where he hit .255 in 58 games. Brian spent the entire 1984 season at Modesto, hitting .264 with eight home runs and 52 RBIs.
He began the 1985 season at Madison but was promoted to AA Huntsville and batted a combined .268 with 53 runs scored, 127 hits, 13 home runs and 73 RBIs in 128 games, all career highs. He was on Oaklands' 40-man roster in 1986 and played his first year of AAA ball at their PCL club at Tacoma, setting career highs in doubles (33) while hitting 10 home runs with 51 RBIs.
Dorsett began the 1987 season with Tacoma and batted .234 with six home runs and 39 RBIs in 74 games. He was acquired by Cleveland on July 15, along with pitcher Darrell Akerfelds in exchange for second baseman Tony Bernazard, and reported to AAA Buffalo where he batted .256 with four home runs and 14 RBIs in 26 games. Dorsett was called up to Cleveland on September 4.
He appeared in his first major league game on September 8 against Seattle (flew out as a pinch hitter) and collected his first big league hit in his third at-bat, a pinch-hit RBI single off Gene Nelson of the A's on September 22 in Cleveland. Brian made his first start behind the plate on September 27 against California and went 2-for-3 including his only big league homer, a two-run blast off Don Sutton in the 8th inning. He was 0-for-4 throwing out runners attempting to steal.
Brian starred in baseball, basketball and football at Terre Haute (IN) North High School, where he graduated in 1979. He attended Indiana State University and was first team All-Missouri Valley Conference in baseball in 1983 and second team in 1982.
Brian played Little League and American Legion ball as a youngster."

1989 New York Yankees Information Guide


CLAY PARKER
"Acquired from Seattle in December 1987, Clay suffered an injury-plagued year in 1988. His season ended in late June because of a recurring groin injury. At the time he was 2-2 with a 3.26 ERA in 10 games.
Clay owns a minor league career record of 31-16 with a 2.72 ERA. He was formerly a punter for the LSU football team."

-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook

"Parker was acquired by the Yankees from Seattle along with Lee Guetterman and Wade Taylor in December of 1987 in exchange for Steve Trout and Henry Cotto. He spent all of the 1988 season at AAA Columbus but suffered through an injury-plagued year. He had a recurring groin injury that caused him to be placed on the disabled list three times, from April 13-22, June 1-23 and June 28 through the end of the season. That injury limited him to 10 games, all starts.
In those 10 games, Clay was 2-2 with a 3.26 ERA in 49.2 innings and also allowed 49 hits and just nine walks [1.17 WHIP] while recording 51 strikeouts. Despite his curtailed season, he still finished seventh on the Clippers in strikeouts and was the only pitcher on the club with ten or more starts to register more strikeouts than innings pitched. Parker signed a contract for the 1989 season.
Parker began the 1987 season at the Mariners' AA Chattanooga affiliate and made 16 appearances (all starts), going 7-5 with a 2.73 ERA and five complete games along with 60 strikeouts in 112 innings pitched. He was promoted to AAA Calgary on July 5, and in 12 games with Calgary (all starts) was 8-1 with a 2.93 ERA and four complete games along with 44 strikeouts in 86 innings pitched. He was recalled from Calgary to the Mariners on September 12.
He made his major league debut in Seattle against Cleveland on September 14, pitching 2.1 innings of relief and giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits, one walk and four strikeouts, and was not involved in a decision in the Mariners' 11-8 defeat. He made his second appearance on September 23 against Kansas City, finishing that game by pitching one inning of relief, giving up two runs (earned) on two hits with two walks and a strikeout, and did not figure in the Royals' 9-0 win.
Clay made his third and final appearance of the season, a start on October 2 at Texas, going 4.1 innings and giving up four runs (all earned) on eight hits (including a two-run homer by Ruben Sierra) with a walk and three strikeouts, and again was not involved in a decision in the Mariners' 5-4 victory. In his three major league outings, Clay pitched 7.2 innings without a decision, giving up 10 runs (nine earned) for a 10.56 ERA while allowing 15 hits (including two home runs) with four walks [2.48 WHIP] and eight strikeouts.
In 1986, Parker was Wausau's top starter with a 2.88 ERA (eighth in the 'A' Midwest League). He led the club in innings pitched and shared honors in starts, was second in complete games and strikeouts, and was fifth in the league with a 1.92 walks-per-nine-innings pitched ratio (38 BB, 178 IP). Parker was Seattle's 15th round pick (16th selection) in the 1985 June draft. He led all Northwest League ('A') pitchers with a 1.55 ERA and a .857 winning percentage (6-1 record) in his first year in pro ball.
Clay graduated from Caldwell Parish (Columbia, Louisiana) High School in 1981. He was named All-State in baseball, football and track, where he was the state javelin champion. He attended LSU on a football scholarship and was a three-year starter, playing in the 1983 Orange Bowl and the 1985 Sugar Bowl. He also played four years of baseball. Clay declined a free agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys and signed with the Mariners.
His hobbies are hunting and fishing and his favorite spectator sport is football. His favorite team growing up was the Miami Dolphins and his favorite player was Larry Csonka. His most dramatic moments in sports were playing in the 1983 Orange Bowl and 1985 Sugar Bowl. His most humorous moment: 'Celebrating after tackling Willie Gault, not realizing he had returned my 48-yard punt 47 yards.'
Clay's favorite entertainer is Randy Travis."

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide


BERNIE WILLIAMS
"Signed as a free agent in November 1985, Bernie is an all-around talent with tremendous potential. He owns a .299 batting average in 202 minor league games.
A wrist injury cut short his season last July, but he still hit .338 with seven home runs and 45 RBI in 91 games. He also stole 29 bases, giving him 80 in three pro seasons."

-The New York Yankees Official 1989 Yearbook

"Bernie played 91 games for 'A' Prince William in 1988 and batted .338 (113-for-334) with 72 runs, 16 doubles, seven triples, seven home runs, 45 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. His season ended on July 14 when he ran into an outfield wall at Hagerstown chasing a fly ball, suffering a right navicular (wrist) fracture. He was placed on the disabled list, where he remained for the rest of the season. Despite his curtailed season Williams led the Carolina League in hitting and finished tied for third in triples. He was added to the Yankee 40-man roster in November and signed a contract for the 1989 season.
In 1987 he split time between Ft. Lauderdale and Oneonta. Bernie started the season at Ft. Lauderdale, where he batted .155 (11-for-71) in 25 games with no home runs, four RBIs and nine stolen bases. He separated his shoulder on May 17, missing a month of the season. Upon his return he was assigned to Oneonta, where in 25 games he hit .344 (32-for-93) with no homers, 15 RBIs and nine stolen bases. He missed additional games later in the year with a groin pull.
Signed by the Yankees as a free agent on September 13, 1985, Williams spent 1986, his first professional season, at Sarasota, batting .270 in 61 games with two home runs, 25 RBIs and 33 stolen bases. He led the Gulf Coast League in runs (45) and caught stealing (12) and led GCL outfielders in total chances (123) and putouts (117). Bernie was named as an outfielder on the Gulf Coast League All-Star team."

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide


DEION SANDERS
"The Yankees' 30th round pick in the June 1988 free agent draft, Deion was signed by Yankee scout Bob Hartsfield. He attended Florida State University where he played baseball, football and ran track.
Deion was named to Baseball America's 1988 preseason All-America team. He was the 1988 Jim Thorpe Award winner as best collegiate defensive back and a two-time consensus All-American in football (1987, 1988). He was named to the All-America team in track in 1988."

-1989 New York Yankees Information Guide