Eddie Zosky
Eddie Zosky | ||
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Edward James Zosky (born February 10, 1968) is a former
Zosky was a collegiate star prior to playing professionally, becoming a member of
Zosky began his professional career in 1989 at the age of 21 and played for 12 seasons until the age of 32 in 2000. He spent most of his professional career in the minor leagues, spending parts of two seasons at the rookie level, part of one season at the
He spent parts of five seasons at the Major League level – 1991, 1992, 1995, 1999 and 2000. He played in 44 big league games, collecting eight hits in 50 at-bats for a .160 batting average. Though he never hit a home run, he did collect two triples and a double, while driving three runs in. Defensively, he played 30 games at shortstop (starting eight of them), four games at third base and three games at second base. He committed two errors for a .967 fielding percentage, while turning eight double plays.[3]
At all levels, both Major League and minor league, Zosky hit a combined .256 with 59 home runs and 410 RBI in 3,720 at-bats.
Early and personal life
Zosky, who is Jewish, was born in Whittier, California to Ed and Yvonne Zosky and attended St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs, California, graduating in 1986.[4][5]
College career
After his graduation from high school, he attended
Draft
Zosky was drafted by Major League Baseball teams twice. Originally, he was drafted out of St. Paul High School by the New York Mets in the fifth round of the 1986 amateur draft, 128th overall.[13] He did not sign, choosing to attend college instead.
He was next drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays 19th overall in the first round of the 1989 draft, out of Fresno State University.[13] He was one of three Fresno State University alum drafted in the first round that year, the others being Steve Hosey (14th overall) and Tom Goodwin (22nd overall).[14] It was the first time since the 1979 draft that three players were selected in the first round from the same school.[15] The Blue Jays gave Zosky a $185,000 ($455,000 today) signing bonus.[16]
Professional career
Early minor league career
The initial plan was to have Zosky begin his professional career with the
In 1990, Zosky was ranked the third-best prospect in the Southern League.[18] After he attended Major League spring training,[19] he spent the entire season in the minor leagues, playing for the Knoxville Blue Jays and hitting .271 in 115 games – tying William Suero for the team lead in triples with seven.[20]
Prior to the 1991 season, Baseball America named Zosky the 22nd-best prospect in professional baseball, ahead of Jeff Bagwell (32nd), Chipper Jones (49th) and Jim Thome (93rd).[21] That season, he attended his second Major League spring training, and was in competition with Manuel Lee and Rene Gonzales for the starting shortstop position.[22] However, after making six errors during the spring, he was deemed unready for Major League action and sent to minor league camp on April 1.[23][24]
He spent most of the season with the Triple-A
Major League debut
Though Zosky spent the majority of the 1991 season with the Syracuse Chiefs, he made his Major League Baseball debut that season as well. He appeared in his first big league game on September 2, against the
So anticipated was Zosky's debut that Toronto Star writer Dave Perkins compared Zosky's debut to Lou Gehrig in 1925, asking "Did Manuel Lee just become Manuel Pipp?" (in reference to Gehrig usurping Wally Pipp's first base position that season).[28] The next day, September 3, he made his first Major League start, again against the Baltimore Orioles. Batting ninth in the starting lineup, he collected zero hits in three at-bats, striking out twice against pitchers Ben McDonald and Mike Flanagan.[29]
He spent 18 games in total with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1991, batting .148 with two runs and two RBI in 27 at-bats.[3] Though he did not hit a home run, two of his four hits were for extra bases—the first was a triple off of Bob Welch[30] and the second was a double off of Denny Neagle.[31] He also drove in his first career RBIs against Welch, scoring John Olerud and Candy Maldonado on the same play.[30]
1992–1994: Zosky's Blue Jays career
Prior to the 1992 minor league baseball season, Baseball America ranked Zosky as the 82nd best prospect in professional baseball. Though he was expected to unseat Manuel Lee as the starting shortstop for the 1992 Major League season,
He struggled early during the season with batting averages of .150 and .160 in April and May, respectively, and though he batted .350 in June,
As early as January 1993, Zosky was expected to be the Toronto Blue Jays' starting shortstop for the 1993 regular season.
After undergoing a surgery on his bad elbow to remove a bone spur on March 16,
By 1994, Alex Gonzalez had all but replaced Zosky as the Blue Jays' shortstop of the future.
Florida Marlins
On November 18, 1994, Zosky's Blue Jays career came to an end when he was traded to the
Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants
On January 24, 1996, Zosky signed a contract with the
On November 25, 1996, the San Francisco signed Zosky to a contract, making him a
Milwaukee Brewers
On December 17, 1997, the
Like in previous years, Zosky began the 1999 season in Triple-A, playing for the
Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros
On January 18, 2000, the
On August 23, he was traded to the
Jersey numbers and salaries
Year | Team | Jersey Number(s) | Salary |
---|---|---|---|
1991 | Toronto Blue Jays | 1 | Unknown |
1992 | Toronto Blue Jays | 1 | $109,000 |
1995 | Florida Marlins | 16 | Unknown |
1999 | Milwaukee Brewers | 45, 47 | Unknown |
2000 | Houston Astros | 23 | Unknown |
See also
References
- Fresno Bee. January 25, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Eddie Zosky Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Eddie Zosky Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ "Big League Jews". Jewish Sports Review. 12 (137): 21. January–February 2020.
- ^ ISBN 1-56171-973-0. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- Fresno Bee. February 1, 1988. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- Fresno Bee. May 4, 1988. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- Fresno Bee. May 30, 1988. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ "8 in College Series Going to U.S. Olympic Tryouts". Chicago Tribune. June 9, 1988. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ Ringolsby, Tracy (June 4, 1988). "Top Picks to Start Contract Talks". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- The Rock Hill Herald. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- Fresno Bee. May 16, 1989. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ a b "MLB Amateur Draft Picks with the Name Matching: Zosky". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ "MLB Amateur Draft Picks Who Came From "fresno State University"". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ Newhan, Ross (June 6, 1989). "Dodgers Get Strong Arm and Fast Legs in Draft L.A. Selects Florida Prep Pitcher Kiki Jones, Fresno Speedster Tom Goodwin". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- Fresno Bee. June 30, 1989. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ a b Neil, MacCarl (July 5, 1989). "Jays' Top Draft Pick Eddie Zosky Off to a Good Start at Knoxville". Toronto Star. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ Neil, MacCarl (September 13, 1990). "Gaston in No Hurry to Talk '91 Contract". Toronto Star. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
- ^ "1990 Knoxville Blue Jays Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ "All-Time Top 100 Prospects". Baseball America, Inc. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ Baker, Kent (January 16, 1991). "Gonzales Traded to Blue Jays Deal Brings Orioles Minor-League Pitcher". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
- ^ Perkins, Dave (March 31, 1991). "Jays are Still Looking for Their Fifth Starter". Toronto Star. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
- Kitchener-Waterloo Record. April 1, 1991. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
- ^ "1991 Syracuse Chiefs Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ Ryan, Allan (September 5, 1991). "Stottlemyre Rediscovers Right Stuff". Toronto Star. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
- ^ "September 2, 1991 Game Log". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ Perkins, Dave (September 3, 1991). "Cast of Thousands Takes Top Billing". Toronto Star. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ "September 3, 1991 Game Log". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
- ^ a b "September 14, 1991 Game Log". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ "October 4, 1991 Game Log". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ "Sports". Miami Herald. February 28, 1992. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
- ^ Van Dyck, Dave (April 5, 1992). "Mitch:Phils Like '89 Cubs". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
- ^ "Phillies Trade Grimsley to Astros Series: TAMPA BAY AREA CAMPS". Miami Herald. April 3, 1992. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
- ^ "September 14, 1992 Game Log". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ Slater, Tom (October 7, 1992). "AL Combatants Trim Down on Eve of Opening Encounter". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "Team Executives Want Action if Schott Used Slurs". Toronto Star. November 29, 1992. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
- ^ Byers, Jim (January 9, 1993). "Jays Keep Griffin; Same Deal, Same Role". Toronto Star. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
- ^ Byers, Jim (January 12, 1993). "Zosky's Injury Concerns Jays". Toronto Star. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
- ^ "Luis Sojo Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "Zosky's Ailing Right Elbow Gives Sojo's Stock a Boost". Toronto Star. March 7, 1993. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ Byers, Jim (February 20, 1993). "Training Camp For Blue Jays has New Aura". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ a b Milton, Steve (January 20, 1993). "Zosky Adjusts Attitude to Job". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "Zosky Out for a Month". The Hamilton Spectator. March 18, 1993. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "Tony Fernández Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ Ringolsby, Tracy (November 7, 1993). "Fun Part is Over Already for New Owners". Rocky Mountain News. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ a b Harper, Tim (March 1, 1994). "Zosky Knows Career's at Stake 'He Realizes he's got to Work Hard to Advance'". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ Milton, Steve (March 24, 1994). "This Time Carter Gets Dinged – Big Time". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ Leo, Tom (April 28, 1994). "Forgotten Shortstop Zosky May Get Another Chance 'All I want to do is Keep Playing Well'". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- Providence Journal. May 14, 1994. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "1994 Syracuse Chiefs Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "Gord Ash's Burning Desire". Toronto Star. April 5, 1999. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "April 29, 1995 Game Log". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ O'Brien, David (May 15, 1995). "Carr's Hamstring Hurting; Team Hopes It's a Cramp". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "1996 Rochester Red Wings". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- Fresno Bee. February 16, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- Contra Costa Times. March 20, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "Transactions". Hartford Courant. March 18, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "Sky Sox, Phoenix Split Twinbill". Rocky Mountain News. April 7, 1997. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ Haudricourt, Tom (January 7, 1998). "D'Amico is in Pain". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "Brewers Report". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. February 22, 1998. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ Olson, Drew (March 22, 1998). "Brewers' Roster Complete". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ Haudricourt, Tom (December 15, 1998). "Chances on Deal Dwindling". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- Contra Costa Times. July 31, 1999. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "August 1, 1999 Game Log". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- St. Petersburg Times. August 5, 1999. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ Olson, Drew (September 5, 1999). "Brewers Report". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. October 13, 1999. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- Beaver County Times. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. March 15, 2000. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ a b "Arrojo, Red Sox Shutout Yankees". The Victoria Advocate. September 12, 2000. Retrieved December 30, 2010.[dead link]
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet, or Baseball Prospectus, or Pura Pelota (Venezuelan Winter League)