totally random, vol. 2.8

Today’s subject: Kevin Rogers. The left-hander from Cleveland and Mississippi Delta Community College posted a 3.17 career ERA in the majors. Unfortunately, his career lasted just 79 games over three seasons. He was a ninth-round pick by the San Francisco Giants out of MDCC in 1988, passed through Jackson and Smith-Wills Stadium as a Shreveport Captain in 1991 and made his major league debut in 1992. Rogers was undone in 1994 by a blod clot in his arm; he had rung up a 2.63 ERA in 64 games for San Francisco in 1993 and looked to be a fixture in the big leagues. But he missed most of the ’94 and ’95 seasons, and his attempted comebacks finally ended in 1998. What a shame.
P.S. Don’t be surprised if Blue Mountain, in its second season, improves on the 16-35 (4-20 TranSouth Conference) record it finished with in 2011. Coach Curt Fowler has the Toppers on the right path. With Seth Kennedy (.353 last season) and Gardner Richey (a transfer from Division I Samford) in the lineup, BMC will hit. … Noticed that former Jackson Generals ace Scott Elarton is in Philadelphia’s camp as a non-roster invitee. He is one of a handful of ex-Gens still playing: Lance Berkman, Bobby Abreu, Freddy Garcia, Carlos Guillen, Julio Lugo and Raul Chavez are the others. Ramon Castro played in 2011 but is unsigned. Melvin Mora retired during last season.