Randy Marshall (minors01)

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Randy Patton Marshall

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Biographical Information[edit]

Randy Marshall was a professional pitcher from 1988-1997, spending six seasons at AAA getting called up on two occasions but never pitched.

While in college, Randy would call in to a radio show with Frank Tanana to get his advice on pitching. Marshall was drafted in the 33rd round of the 1988 amateur draft out of Eastern Michigan University, an unlikely situation for a guy who would pitch for several years in AAA. He signed with the Detroit Tigers his junior year. He was hurt after the 1988 draft and played semi-pro ball until spring training of 1989. He split 1989 between the Niagara Falls Rapids (0-2, 7.82) and Fayetteville Generals (5-3, 3.22). In 1990, he had an amazing year, going 13-0 with a 1.33 ERA for the Generals (9 BB, 64 H in 101 2 /3 IP) and 7-2, 3.25 for the Lakeland Tigers. Overall, he walked only 23 in 173 2/3 IP that year. He tied Denny Neagle for the most wins in the US minors in 1990 with 20 wins and the most wins in a single season for a Detroit affiliate in 40 years. Marshall was also named the South Atlantic League's Most Outstanding Pitcher, All-Star, and runner-up to Frank Thomas for Topps Minor League Player of the Year.

The southpaw was much more human in 1991 with the London Tigers (8-10, 4.47, 123 K in 159 IP) and the Toledo Mud Hens (1-0, 5 ER in 5 IP). He led the Eastern League in hits allowed. That off-season, Detroit dealt him with Paul Gibson to the New York Mets for Mark Carreon and Tony Castillo. Under the tutelage of Clint Hurdle Randy started strong enough to not only be picked for the 1992 Triple-A All-Star Game, but to get the start for the NL. He went 1-2-3 in the 1st, retiring Wayne Kirby, Bret Boone and Jim Tatum. In the second, though, he walked Tim Salmon, gave up a single to Ed Sprague Jr., then walked Jeff Conine. He escaped the jam with only one run allowed as Gerald Williams grounded into a run-scoring force, but was caught stealing, and Monty Fariss flew out. Marshall took the loss in a 2-1 decision. After a failed MLB call up Marshall faded in the second half and ended the season 7-13 with a respectable 4.04 ERA.

The Kentucky native split 1993 between the Norfolk Tides (0-2, 19.64) and Binghamton Mets (0-3, 8.49) in the Mets chain. When they gave up on him only a year after he was AAA All-Star, he joined the Colorado Springs Sky Sox and landed on his feet (1-0, 3.86). Back with Colorado Springs as a full-time reliever in 1994, Marshall went 4-0 with a 5.31 ERA in 50 outings. He returned to the Detroit chain and a starting role in 1995 and did very well with the Mud Hens with a 7-3 record and 2.30 ERA. Marshall was selected to his second Triple-A All-Star team. Second in the 1995 International League in ERA, .05 behind Jason Schmidt prompted Detroit for a September call-up for Marshall. After a team doctor's exam Marshall spent 5 months in physical therapy. In 1996 Marshall was back in Toledo finishing with a 3-5 record and a respectable 4.15 ERA. In 1997, after multiple Major League invites, Marshall signed through the Dodgers to play overseas with the Sinon Bulls and was 1-2 with a save and 4.23 ERA before calling it quits professionally. In 1998 and 1999 Marshall was offered MLB invites again to spring training and AAA contracts, but accepted none.

Randy Marshall continues today coaching and providing private lessons in southeast Michigan.

Notable Achievements[edit]

Career Highlights[edit]

Sources[edit]

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