Portland Beavers (1978-1993)

I will never forget going to the 1981 spring tryouts the Beavers sponsored at Civic Stadium. I remember pitching for a long time, have no idea how many batters I faced but almost no was able to hit my knuckleball. I went and did batting but I didn’t do well so I figured nothing was going to happen. As I was getting ready to get in my car in the parking lot, a scout came up to me and said that the Pirate people who were there watching, offered me a contract right then. I talked to scout and he said I would have to go down to A ball to get reacquainted to baseball, as I hadn’t played in at least 6 years, 4 years because I was in the Navy, and a couple of years I had gotten out. He shook his head and said he couldn’t believe I had that kind of control just walking up and pitching like I did. He said they were very impressed not knowing I hadn’t played in so long. I had one question I really needed an answer to because my wife was 7 months pregnant with our son and I had been working a job that I like and was making steady money with medical benefits. I asked if the minor leagues had medical benefits and he said they did not. I said I couldn’t sign knowing how much money it would have cost us and how little money the minors paid. I have never really regretted turning down the offer but I do sometimes think of what if. I will never forget the experience.