
Originally Posted by
joebaseball
...I've had a lot of good players over the years on a number of teams, but, I've never had a player with as strange a road to being a star as SS Douglas McCray. Drafted in 1976 in the 2nd round (25th) by the Kentucky Hounds, he hit .237 with 33 HR's and 99 RBI's as a rookie. McCray slugged a mere .441 his first season. The Hounds released him after that season, and he was picked up by the Kitchener Huskies. In 23 games he batted .155 with 3 HR's and 8 RBI's. His slugging percentage was .298.... Released by the Huskies, he was picked up by the ESU Timberwolves... The results were 11 games played, 1 HR, and 3 RBI's... Again, he was released. He went back to his hometown, and went to work on his swing.
...One of our scouts said he had been working hard in the off season, and recommended we give him a look, so, the So Cal Patriots signed him and played him 113 games in the 1979 season. McCray hit .288 with 39 HR's and 80 RBI's. He slugged .618! Not only did he get an All-Star slot, but, he won the Silver Slugger award at his position.
...It proved no fluke, either. The next season brought a .264 average, 48 HR's and 107 RBI's, and another All Star appearance and another Silver Slugger award.
...Last season, he hit .278 with 68 HR's, and 157 RBI's. He not only got an All-Star slot, and another Silver Slugger award, but, was also named MVP!
...This season, in 106 games, McCray has a .281 average, 50 HR's, and 106 RBI's....
..He has proven himself time and time again. Just shows that hard work can pay off.
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