1991 Line Drive, Steve Shifflett

#417 Steve Shifflett

I got this card signed in the winter of 1993 at the mall when the Royals Caravan came to town. He came to town the same year as Kevin Koslofski. I mentioned in my Koslofski post that Kevin thought that the Ft. Myers card was pretty cool. But, now that I think about it, I think that Steve thought that the Ft. Myers card was cool. He wasn't nearly as impressed by his Memphis card.

1992 was the only year that Steve appeared in the Majors. He made 34 appearances and pitched 52 innings while posting a 2.60 ERA. Not bad for non-drafted rookie. The next year (and the year after that), it was back to Omaha. Then he split time in 1995 between Iowa and Colorado Springs, not doing too well at either place. That was his last season in pro ball.

I'm sure Steve wasn't the first one-season relieving wonder, and he surely won't be the last.

As for minor league ball in Memphis, the fans in that city now get to watch the Cardinals AAA team, the Redbirds.