Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2019 23:13:01 GMT -5
Marty Barrett was drafted in the 2nd round, 51st overall, in the 1979 draft by the San Francisco Giants. The Giants immediately started him at AAA. Having completely skipped A and AA ball, he thought he would soon don a Giants uniform.
But life has a way of keeping you grounded. Barrett was traded to the rival Dodgers on July 27, 1979 along with Tom Brookens for journeyman reliever Don Shaw and $10 million cash. Surprised by the trade, Barrett reported to AAA planning to earn a ticket to the big leagues.
Since that time Barrett's career stagnated. By the end of 1983 he had lost his starting job in the minor leagues due to a numbers crunch with other prospects joining Triple A and passing him by. He arrived for the '84 season with a fresh outlook, but one that was quickly erased. He appeared in just 27 games getting 17 ab's in 1984. Knowing others had passed him by, the Dodgers tried repeatedly to find an opportunity for him elsewhere, but nobody seemed interested. Barrett thought his career was over before it ever really got going.
He was ready to retire and give up his lifelong dream of playing in the majors - burned out by lack of opportunity and playing time. Urged by his parents to give it one more shot, Barrett returned for the '85 season with low expectations realizing it might be his last run. "How was I going to say no to my mom when she sacrificed so much in her life driving me to countless practices, games, and tournaments always making sure i had a new glove, bat, or cleats?" Barrett was quoted as saying.
Due to the trades of some prospects and graduation of others, Barrett returned to a starting job for the AAA Albuquerque Dukes at second base and leadoff hitter. Energized by the opportunity, Barrett got off to a great start to the season, slashing .316, .393, .454 for a career best .847 ops. But Los Angeles still seemed so far away.
Everything changed for Barrett on June 16, 1985. After 6.5 seasons, 749 games and 2491 ab's - all in AAA - Barrett finally got the call he waited his entire life for. The Dodgers made an unexpected trade with the Toronto Blue Jays. Dodgers management noticed the uptick in Barrett's game and surprisingly included Randy Ready - one of the prospects that passed up Barrett - in the trade to Toronto. This created an opening for Barrett on the big league club. Barrett immediately called his parents to share the news. It was quite the early birthday present - his 27th birthday just a week away.
The Dodgers wasted no time initiating Barrett - he was immediately plugged into the lineup, playing 3rd base and leading off to give Otto Velez a day off. Barrett went 2 for 6 with 2 runs and 3 RBI's in his major league debut in a 12-1 win over the Cardinals. His first career hit came in the 2nd inning off Cardinals starter Bryn Smith. He scored his first major league run when Kirk Gibson, the next batter, homered.
Barrett was on cloud 9 after the game. It was everything he had ever dreamed of. Barrett hopes to continue to take advantage of his opportunities so that he never has to go back to the minors.
June 16, 1985 is a day Marty Barrett will never forget. Congratulations, Marty!
But life has a way of keeping you grounded. Barrett was traded to the rival Dodgers on July 27, 1979 along with Tom Brookens for journeyman reliever Don Shaw and $10 million cash. Surprised by the trade, Barrett reported to AAA planning to earn a ticket to the big leagues.
Since that time Barrett's career stagnated. By the end of 1983 he had lost his starting job in the minor leagues due to a numbers crunch with other prospects joining Triple A and passing him by. He arrived for the '84 season with a fresh outlook, but one that was quickly erased. He appeared in just 27 games getting 17 ab's in 1984. Knowing others had passed him by, the Dodgers tried repeatedly to find an opportunity for him elsewhere, but nobody seemed interested. Barrett thought his career was over before it ever really got going.
He was ready to retire and give up his lifelong dream of playing in the majors - burned out by lack of opportunity and playing time. Urged by his parents to give it one more shot, Barrett returned for the '85 season with low expectations realizing it might be his last run. "How was I going to say no to my mom when she sacrificed so much in her life driving me to countless practices, games, and tournaments always making sure i had a new glove, bat, or cleats?" Barrett was quoted as saying.
Due to the trades of some prospects and graduation of others, Barrett returned to a starting job for the AAA Albuquerque Dukes at second base and leadoff hitter. Energized by the opportunity, Barrett got off to a great start to the season, slashing .316, .393, .454 for a career best .847 ops. But Los Angeles still seemed so far away.
Everything changed for Barrett on June 16, 1985. After 6.5 seasons, 749 games and 2491 ab's - all in AAA - Barrett finally got the call he waited his entire life for. The Dodgers made an unexpected trade with the Toronto Blue Jays. Dodgers management noticed the uptick in Barrett's game and surprisingly included Randy Ready - one of the prospects that passed up Barrett - in the trade to Toronto. This created an opening for Barrett on the big league club. Barrett immediately called his parents to share the news. It was quite the early birthday present - his 27th birthday just a week away.
The Dodgers wasted no time initiating Barrett - he was immediately plugged into the lineup, playing 3rd base and leading off to give Otto Velez a day off. Barrett went 2 for 6 with 2 runs and 3 RBI's in his major league debut in a 12-1 win over the Cardinals. His first career hit came in the 2nd inning off Cardinals starter Bryn Smith. He scored his first major league run when Kirk Gibson, the next batter, homered.
Barrett was on cloud 9 after the game. It was everything he had ever dreamed of. Barrett hopes to continue to take advantage of his opportunities so that he never has to go back to the minors.
June 16, 1985 is a day Marty Barrett will never forget. Congratulations, Marty!
