The long road back
Posted by John Autin on September 10, 2011
September is a time of many debuts, but once in a while a graybeard slips in unnoticed among the hopeful young faces. And so it was that Valentino Martin Pascucci returned to a big-league ballfield Wednesday, for the first time in 7 years, and singled as a pinch-hitter for the Mets against Atlanta's Eric O'Flaherty.
Val Pascucci last played in the majors with Montreal in 2004, his only year in the bigs. His last 3 games were against the Mets in Shea Stadium: he struck out in a pinch against Heath Bell (the Expos won the game on a late double by Terrmel Sledge); he hit his 2nd career HR off Al Leiter (Montreal won that one on a 3-run shot by Brad Wilkerson off Braden Looper); and on the last day of the season, he went 3 for 4, with 2 hits against Tom Glavine.
Pascucci had appeared in a few games early that year, and got his first hit off Kaz Ishii. He was sent back to Edmonton and placed among the PCL leaders with a .423 OBP and .999 OPS, then was called up in September and hit his first HR off Florida's Nate Bump. He played in the last game in Stade Olympique.
He was only 25 years old, but the Expos were set at 1B with Nick Johnson, and in the OF as well. Pascucci, who had gotten just 11 hits in 62 ABs, was released at the end of the season.
He spent 2005-06 in Japan with the Chiba Lotte Marines. In 2007, he went to spring training with the Cubs, but didn't make the roster. He has since played for the AAA affiliates of the Marlins, Phillies, Mets, Dodgers, Padres, and Mets again. (More background is on his B-R Bullpen page.) He led his team in OPS in 2007-08, but never got the call, and after a down '09 season, he was released again. He started 2010 in the independent Atlantic League before signing to play in Buffalo for the Mets, and ranked 2nd on that squad in OPS in 2010-11.
And now, 7 years after he singled off Heath Bell in what he often must have feared was his last AB in the majors, he's finally made it back. At 32, he's no kind of prospect; but for a little while, at least, this baseball lifer is once again a big-league ballplayer.
Congratulations, Val!
September 10th, 2011 at 12:34 am
Thanks for this, John. We don't have to argue to exhaustion over his Hall of Fame credentials, or whether he's overrated or underrated, or whether or not his UZR reflects his defensive value... we can just appreciate his pursuit of his dream and be happy that his persistence has ben rewarded.
Well done, Val.
September 10th, 2011 at 1:45 am
Nice piece, John.
I know this wasn't Val's ML debut, but just to give some idea how rare it is for a 32-year old to make his ML debut, here are all the American-born players who have done so since expansion (1961).
- Joe Strong 2000 37 FLA NL
- Billy Williams 1969 36 SEP AL
- Jim Morris 1999 35 TBD AL
- Alan Zinter 2002 34 HOU NL
- Pidge Browne 1962 33 HOU NL
- John Lindsey 2010 33 LAD NL
- Chris Coste 2006 33 PHI NL
- Alan Cockrell 1996 33 COL NL
- Billy Taylor 1994 32 OAK AL
- Shawn Gilbert 1997 32 NYM NL
- Jalal Leach 2001 32 SFG NL
- Rick Short 2005 32 WSN NL
- Chris Prieto 2005 32 LAA AL
- Kevin Ohme 2003 32 STL NL
I limited it to Americans to avoid picking up a bunch of Japanese players. Nothing against Japanese players, but their story isn't quite the same scenario we're talking about here.
I looked up Billy Williams because of his name. A nice illustration. 18 years in the minors before finally getting his shot. Played in 4 games in a 6-day period, and that was his career. Didn't get a hit, but I don't think he minded. He faced Dave McNally and Mickey Lolich - he knew he'd made it.
September 10th, 2011 at 2:15 am
It's not quite the same, but two guys who hadn't played in the majors since two days apart in July 2008 played for Toronto in back-to-back days this week, McGowan and Loewen.
September 10th, 2011 at 2:17 am
Taylor's a hell of a story. Plays one year, then a strike, then made a closer at 36 and finishing his career with 100 saves. Not quite Disney movie material like Jim Morris, but still.
September 10th, 2011 at 2:26 am
Great story, John. I love reading about these guys who pursue and pursue to finally get a(nother) shot. Reminds me of reading about guys from the early 20th century and thinking, "This was a PERSON, someone who had real aspirations to play ball." Gets me a little tight in my chest every time, far more than the big-time players ever do.
So thanks, and congrats to Val. May he always enjoy this moment as his time in the sun.
September 10th, 2011 at 2:56 am
Awesome, Val! Looking at his numbers - hey, it's what the site's for - I'm shocked that he's had to struggle so much. Pretty good ballplayer! That makes his dedication that much more impressive, as it's tough to keep fighting when denied something merited.
September 10th, 2011 at 5:52 am
I totally agree with Nightfly(#1). It's been enjoyable, looking at the game logs of some of the players listed by Doug(#2).
It's always great to remember that there are players, real people, real stories, behind the numbers.
I would say that "I love this game", but I think that it is copyrighted now or something. (Sheeesh.)
September 10th, 2011 at 7:01 am
Totally agree with 1 and 7. Thanks for the cool list, Doug.
Great article, John. I was suprised to see Pascucci back; he is one big dude. He immediately reminds of Brandon Knight and Robinson Cancel, who both had long similar paths to get back to the bigs with the Mets. Knight is in the rare category to have played for both the Mets and Yankees exclusively. Cancel has to be the oddest 3 decade ever, probably having the fewest PAs for any position player during such a span.
I remember when Joe Strong made his ML debut at age 37 against the Braves on TBS. Let's just say he made it out of that pen pretty quick. One can only imagine the feeling and emotions running through him.
September 10th, 2011 at 7:17 am
@2 Jim Bouton says very nice things about Billy Williams in Ball Four, noting how many players like him were stuck in the minors before expansion.
September 10th, 2011 at 8:04 am
Wow, give the guy credit for persevering with a stay in the Atlantic League.
September 10th, 2011 at 8:20 am
Wow, in 7 seasons of AAA ball he had a .902 OPS! That's quite impressive. I never quite get why some guys can really pound the ball in the minors but never even get a legitimate shot at the majors. Maybe his size (270 lbs! A lot even for a 6'6" frame) made teams wary.
Anyway, kudos to him for sticking it out, continuing to pound the ball, and making it back.
September 10th, 2011 at 10:44 am
I immediately thought of 30yr-old Sean Burroughs who this year had his first MLB AB since 2006. His last MLB appearance was at age 25.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burrose01.shtml
September 10th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
There's also José Rijo. Arm trouble in 1995, multiple surgeries, and then makes it back to the bigs in 2001 at 36.
September 10th, 2011 at 7:38 pm
Julio Franco, except for one at bat in 1999 missed 3 full seasons.
He came back in 2001 at age 42.
Played 7 more seasons.
Had an average OPS+ of 110 for his age 44, 45 and 46 seasons.
September 10th, 2011 at 8:50 pm
@14 and Julio Franco.
Jason neglected to mention that Franco's career OPS+ is 111, essentially the same as his age 44-46 seasons. Talk about maintaining your performance.
At a considerably higher level, Ted Williams did the same thing. How good a hitter was the Splinter? Well, we know what his answer to that question was. But, could be he was right. Consider this:
- Missed almost two full seasons ('52 and '53) fighting in Korea
- Returns to majors full time in '54, aged 35
- For his age 35 to 41 seasons, had a 1.102 OPS, 188 OPS+
- For his whole career, 1.116 OPS, 190 OPS+
Reproducing a stratospheric career OPS+ in the last third of your career is pretty remarkable. Doing it after being out of the game for 2 years after age 30 - utterly amazing.
September 15th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Some fun guys to look up: Paul Schreiber, Gabby Street, Jim Baumer. Minnie Minoso everybody knows about.