centerfield maz

Richard Wayne Ownbey was born October 20th 1957, in Corona, California. There he surfed in the day & worked at the Quickset lock factory at night. The six foot three right hander was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates but he did not sign choosing to attend  Santa Anna College.   In 1980, he was drafted by the New York Mets in the 13th round getting a $2000 signing bonus. On August 22nd, in his next start at Atlanta, Ownbey gave up four runs including a HR to Glenn Hubbard taking a no decision. On August 28th he took no decision allowing two runs over seven innings over the Braves at Shea Stadium. Back to Back Complete Games: By September, Ownbey seemed to quickly matured except for his control issues. Over the next five games he walked at least six batters in every game.  On September 3rd, he gave up just one run in nine innings taking a 1-0 loss to the Reds Frank Pastore. The only run came in the 4th inning, when Ownbey balked with Dave Concepcion...

Jose Guillermo Quintana was born January 24th, 1989, in Columbia. In 2006 the six foot one, left hander was signed by the New York Mets as an international free agent. After his first season he was suspended for violating MLB's drug policy & was released. In 2009 he was signed by the AL New York club then let go to free agency two years later.  In 2011 he was signed by the Chicago White Son where he'd pitch for parts of six seasons. From 2013 to 2015 he won nine games each season.  2016 All Star: In 2016 he won a career high 13 games (13-12) with a 3.12 ERA making his first & only All-Star Team. He pitched the top of the 5th inning allowing a double to Will Myers in the American League's 4-2 win at Petco Park.  That year he became the first White Sox pitcher since Wilbur Wood in the early 1970's to make at least 30 starts post 200 or more innings & strike out 160 batters.  In his first seven starts, Quintana was 5-1 with a 1.38 ERA. Strangely from May 2...

Neil Patrick Allen was born January 24, 1958, in Kansas City, Kansas. His father Bob was an elevator operator & his mom Betty Rae worked for the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. Neil had three other brothers. The six-foot three right hander was selected by the New York Mets out of Bishop Ward high school in Kansas City, Kansas in the 11th round of the 1976 draft. In 1977 at A ball, with the Lynchburg Mets, Allen was 10-2 with 126 strikeouts & a 2.79 ERA.  The next year he was brought up through the ranks going 7-16 but posted a strong 2.79 ERA, getting a promotion to the Mets staff for 1979.  Mets Career: On April 15th, 1979, Allen made his debut, pitching against the Phillies & former Met Nino Espinoza. Allen gave up four runs & took the loss. Allen struggled as a starter losing his first five decisions, allowing 18 earned runs in 21.2 innings for a 7.48 ERA. He was brought up too early by the Mets who were too cheap to acquire q...

  Jacob Tanner Diekman was born January 21st, 1987, in Wymore, Nebraska. His small high school had no baseball team, so Jake would focus his time playing golf there.  In summertime he joined an American Legion baseball league where his baseball career stared.  The six foot four, left hander attended college in Kansas where he was be drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 30th round of the 2007 draft. Just before Jake was drafted, his mom passed away at age 57. She was his biggest supporter & the family took the loss hard. Jake credits his father with helping him thru the loss as he calls him his best friend.  MLB Career: Diekman became a journeyman pitcher would pitch for nine teams in his 13-year career. In 2012 he debuted with the Phillies making 32 appearances with a 3.95 ERA. He showed promise & was being considered as a closer for the team over the next couple of years. Combined No Hitter: On September 1st, 2014, he was one of four Phillies pitche...