In 1991, Greg Gross attempted a comeback.
He hadn't played since '89. In 1990, nobody called and their was a work stoppage.
Nobody thought about signing Gross.
In 1991, Gross went to Spring Training with the San Diego Padres.
He didn't have a contract. Nothing.
He was literally playing for meal money.
Gross was going to turn 39 years old that year. His career had lasted 17 years.
It was an indistinguishable career.
Gross wanted a last chance to play.
He pretended to himself that he was hurt the previous year.
That he had no chance to play. Instead of the truth, that being that no team was interested.
His 17 years of playing had already guaranteed him a pension.
His salary earned had set him up for life.
But, he wanted a last chance to play the game he loved so much.
I wish this story had a happy ending. It doesn't.
Gross' career ended with that Spring Training.
The story behind this story is Greg Gross numbers.
Gross was no Mario Mendoza.
His lifetime batting average was .287
A wonderful fielder as well.
And, he is fifth on baseball's All-Time list of pinch hits.
A wonderful baseball player for 17 years.
The key words in that last sentence being' baseball player'.
For us fantasy players, and for his .287 batting average, Greg Gross may have been the worst player to own in fantasy history.
Gross scored 50 Runs three times. He never had 50 RBI.
The best is yet to come.
Greg Gross is the only non-pitcher since the live ball era started, to NOT hit a home run in 14 years of a career.
It's true.
He had a power year in which he hit five home runs. Two years with one home run. The rest, zeroes. 14 years.
Over the last 11 years of his career, Gross hit one home run.
Over 1600 at bats.
Part of this is written to describe how a really good baseball player can be a poor fantasy bet.
The other part of this was written with a friend of mine involved.
Last night in having dinner with my friend, he brought up a point disagreed with.
He opined that any player good enough to play 15 years in the Major Leagues should be in the Hall of Fame.
I thought about Greg Gross and more recently, I thought about Jeff Mathis who has been a backup catcher for 15 years.
It's nice that these players can have longevity.
Longevity is already being considered by the Hall of Fame.
Pitchers like Don Sutton and hitters like Rabbit Maranville have entered the Hall, mostly because of their long careers.
Making 15 years as an automatic entrant into the Hall is foolhardy.
Unless they have a special wing for pinch hitters or backup catchers, Gross or Mathis will never see a vote.
Nor should they.