In the 1990s the Boston Red Sox were feast or famine. They
had some years where they made the playoffs (though they never went far) or
they ranged from embarrassing to bland. With the team seemingly going in
circles, the appearance of any promising young player was anxiously awaited by
the eager fan base. A highly-regarded prospect from this era was outfielder Dwayne
Hosey, who was called up with much fanfare in 1995 but was out of the
majors by the end of the following season.
The switch-hitting Hosey was a 13th-round draft
choice of the Chicago White Sox in 1987. A five-tool player, he developed slowly
but had finally become a promising prospect by the time he reached the Boston
system in 1995, five organizations and eight years after he started his
professional career.
Part of what gave the Red Sox some excitement about
acquiring Hosey off waivers (on August 31, 1995) was that in 1994 he had hit .333
with 27 home runs and 27 stolen bases in 112 games for the Kansas City Royals
Triple-A affiliate. He followed that up by hitting .295 with 12 homers and 15
steals in 75 games with the same team in 1995, earning an immediate call-up to
Boston as soon as he had been claimed.
Although rosters were watered down due to the waning moments
of the season, the 28-year-old Hosey showed tantalizing ability, playing like a
veteran from the outset. He appeared in 24 games and smashed three of his 12
extra base hits for home runs, while stealing six bags.
His debut was enough to earn him a regular roll the
following year. Unfortunately, it was not mean to be. He hit just .212 with one
home run in 28 games and spent most of the season with Triple-A Pawtucket.
Hosey never played in the majors again. He went to Japan in
1997, enjoying a spectacular inaugural season there and bounced around there,
the minors and independent ball through the 2002 season. These days he is still
involved in baseball. Keep reading for more from this former Sox player.
Dwayne Hosey
Interview
Who was your favorite
player when you were growing up, and why?: Ricky
Henderson. He was the ultimate complete player without switch hitting.
Can you please talk a little bit about your experience in the 1987 draft?: I had not a clue about what was going on. My scout and friends had to explain to me what was about to happen. I didn't know about a minor league system.
What do you remember most about your first major league hit against Mark Langston?: All I was focusing on was staying inside Langston's cut fastball and breaking ball. He was a smooth operator and it was an honor to get my first hit against a stud like that.
In your opinion, who was the most talented player you ever played with or against? What made them stand out so much?: You know, I have to say there is great, amazingly great, and just unbelievable. The guy that I was star struck with was Bo Jackson. But I've seen incredible arms, speed, power and high average hitters. Defenders and mentally tough animals are another facet to enjoy. That's why it's called the SHOW.
What is your favorite moment from your baseball career?: Making that major league debut and post season with Boston, and winning the Japanese title, MVP and home run title in the same year.
What was your favorite ballpark/city to play in, and why?: Well I really appreciate all equally, but playing in Fenway with that Green Monster was historical for me.
If there is anything you could go back and do differently about your baseball career, what would that be?: I wouldn't have changed a thing. I had great mentors and coaches and teammates and fans that gave me great insight. So if I could go back. I'd listen to great sound advice all over again.
How nervous were you to play in Japan, and what was the experience actually like?: I wasn't nervous at all. I fully embraced the experience and couldn't get enough of it.
Can you please talk a little bit about your experience in the 1987 draft?: I had not a clue about what was going on. My scout and friends had to explain to me what was about to happen. I didn't know about a minor league system.
What do you remember most about your first major league hit against Mark Langston?: All I was focusing on was staying inside Langston's cut fastball and breaking ball. He was a smooth operator and it was an honor to get my first hit against a stud like that.
In your opinion, who was the most talented player you ever played with or against? What made them stand out so much?: You know, I have to say there is great, amazingly great, and just unbelievable. The guy that I was star struck with was Bo Jackson. But I've seen incredible arms, speed, power and high average hitters. Defenders and mentally tough animals are another facet to enjoy. That's why it's called the SHOW.
What is your favorite moment from your baseball career?: Making that major league debut and post season with Boston, and winning the Japanese title, MVP and home run title in the same year.
What was your favorite ballpark/city to play in, and why?: Well I really appreciate all equally, but playing in Fenway with that Green Monster was historical for me.
If there is anything you could go back and do differently about your baseball career, what would that be?: I wouldn't have changed a thing. I had great mentors and coaches and teammates and fans that gave me great insight. So if I could go back. I'd listen to great sound advice all over again.
How nervous were you to play in Japan, and what was the experience actually like?: I wasn't nervous at all. I fully embraced the experience and couldn't get enough of it.
What are you up to
since retiring as a player?: I now own a baseball facility and youth
baseball teams.
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You can check me out on Facebook or follow me on Twitter @historianandrew
Hosey was picked in the '87 draft, not '97.
ReplyDeleteThanks for catching the typo. Fixed!
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