They get kinda technicalityal with a couple, but I'm happy to say that the "forgotten" man was the one I had actually watched play at Thurman Park in Modesto. Of course, they're no longer the A's, and I'm pretty sure they've renamed the park, but you take your press release opportunities when they come:
I remember as a young 10 year old going to Birmingham Barons games to watch Frank Thomas who was already really popular in the area from playing for Auburn. He was only there for about 100 games before going straight to the Majors, skipping AAA completely.
Saw Ankiel pitch once in Springfield before he made the Majors. Still feel terrible when I think of what happened to the poor kid. At least he's still trying.
Oh and it's not baseball but I played high school football against Grant Wistrom. Which is to say Grant ran over a bunch of kids half his size.
Not as many as I thought from the Kane County Cougars; I guess the switch over to the A's is still too new? Or the alumni list on their website is out of date.
A's Huston Street - I think I have some score sheet with him on there (and they've got his face up on the outfield wall!) Mark Kotsay Joe Blanton (who I forget till I saw the press release today) (Jario Garcia, back when he was Jario Garcia!)
Tiggers Nate Roberston
It'll be a much bigger list in a couple of years, I believe. The Marlins - the previous affiliate - dispersing everyone around the ML makes it a bit scattershot.
Before they got eliminated nearly all of the Twins had played for my Rochester Red Wings (many this year). Tyner, Punto, Bartlett, L. Rodriguez, Bonser, Garza, Baker, Reyes, and Neshek all started the year in the Flower City.
No that's not fair or right at all. The Mariners have a competitive payroll, I'm almost positive it is in the top ten, it just didn't work out this year.
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