Down But Not Out - They'd Stay to Play Another Day
Dennis Blair, SP:
After spending most of 1977 at the Expos' AAA Denver affiliate, Dennis was acquired by the Orioles as the PTBNL in the deal that sent Fred Holdsworth to the Expos in July of 1977. He spent 1978 and part of 1979 in the O's system (Charlotte and Rochester), and was traded on June 6, 1979 to the Padres for Randy Fierbaugh. He made 5 appearances with San Diego in 1980, and then was gone for good.
Terry Bulling, C:
'Bud' spent all of 1978 at the Twins' AA affiliate in Orlando. He was purchased by the Mariners during spring training, 1979, and played in their system at Spokane in 1979 and 1980. In 1981 and 1982, he was the Mariners' reserve catcher. He spent most of 1983 at AAA Salt Lake City, got into 5 games with the M's, and was done with professional ball.
Randy Elliott, OF:
After spending all of 1977 as one of the Giants' reserve outfielders, Randy opted to retire following his 1978 spring training release. He was signed by Cleveland in April of 1978, but never played at the major or minor league level. Signed by Oakland in April of 1980, he appeared in 14 games for the A's that year, primarily as a DH. He hit just .128 and was done with the majors.
Bill Fahey, C:
Bill spent 1975-1977 playing behind Jim Sundberg in Texas, and then spent all of '78 at AAA Tuscon. Traded to the Padres in October of '78 with Kurt Bevacqua and Mike Hargrove for Oscar Gamble and Dave Roberts, Bill spent 1979 and 1980 as San Diego's reserve catcher, and then filled the same role with Detroit from 1981-1983 before calling it quits.
Ray Fosse, C:
Ray was signed as a free agent by the Brewers in December of 1977. During spring training, he tripped in a hole while running, injuring his right. He required surgery to reconstruct knee ligaments, and wound up spending all of 1978 on the DL. He returned in 1979 to play just 19 games and was released in April of 1980.
Von Joshua, OF:
Milwaukee's starting center fielder in 1977, Von was released late in spring training of 1978. He played for Tabasco in the Mexican League in 1978, and was purchased by the Dodgers in January of 1979. He was a reserve outfielder for Los Angeles in 1979 and San Diego in 1980.
Dave Rosello, IF:
After being a reserve infielder for the Cubs for 3 seasons, Dave was traded to Cleveland for a couple minor leaguers late in 1977. He spent all of 1978 at the Indians' AAA Portland Beavers, and in 1979, 1980 and 1981 was a reserve infielder for the big club.
Jackson Todd, SP:
Jackson started 10 games for the Mets in 1977, his rookie year. In March of 1978 he was traded to the Phillies for a minor leaguer, and spent the remainder of the season at Oklahoma City. He signed as a free agent with the Blue Jays in early 1979, and spent all or most of that year, 1980 and 1981 pitching in Toronto. He closed out his professional career toiling for several seasons in the minor league systems of the Jays, Astros, Orioles and White Sox before retiring after 1985.
John Verhoeven, RP:
John pitched for the Angels and White Sox in 1977. He spent 1978 at Iowa and, after being purchased by the Twins in April, 1979, spent that season in Toledo. In 1980 and 1981 he was a regular out of the Twins bullpen. But, he moved on and spent 1982 split between Syracuse (Toronto) and Pawtucket (Boston) before hanging it up.
Danny Walton, OF:
Danny made it into just 13 games for the Astros in 1977, and was released during spring training, 1978. He did not play anywhere in '78, but was signed by Seattle for 1979 and spent that season on their AAA club in Spokane. Signed by Texas at the beginning of 1980, he spent most of the year in Charleston, but managed to get into 10 games with the Rangers in May and June. He was traded to the Reds at the end of 1980 but never saw professional action again.
Gary Wheelock, SP:
Gary made 17 starts for the original Mariners in 1977, but spent 1978, 1979 and 1980 at the AAA level, seeing big league action just once in a single start for the Mariners in April of 1980. He saw some action for the Dodgers' AA San Antonio club in 1981, but was done after that.
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Larry Andersen, RP:
After trying to stick it with the Indians in 1975 and 1977, Larry spent 1978 in Portland, before returning to the big leagues to stay in 1979. He would go on to pitch for the Indians, Phillies, Mariners, Astros, Red Sox and Padres through 1994.
Sam Perlozzo, IF:
After brief action with the Twins in '77, Sam spent all of '78 in Toledo. He signed with the Padres for 1979 and spent most of the season at Hawaii, except for a brief two-game stint with the big club. He played in Japan in 1980 and in the Mets' system in 1981.
Mike Easler, OF:
Mike saw brief action with the Angels, Astros and Pirates from 1973-1977. He spent all of 1978 at Columbus, after which he had a productive 9-year career with the Pirates, Red Sox, Yankees and Phillies.
Keith Smith, OF:
Keith spent all of 1978 at Texas' AAA affiliate in Tuscon. Traded to St. Louis in February of 1979, he saw limited action with the Cardinals in 1979 and 1980. He played his final professional season, 1981, in the minor leage systems of the Cardinals, Yankees, Orioles and Mets.