Congratulations Eric Milton
By: Bear
Congratulations on your performance,
Eric. We think of you often.
Eric (24 yr/old)) is developing quite a history for leaning toward the unexpected.
Having grown up in State College, Pa,
where his friendly Dad, Cecil, worked
as a lab tech at Penn State for 33 years, Eric decided to become a
Maryland Terrapin after meeting with
Assoc Head Coach Kelly Kulina (&
turning down dozens of other collegiate offers.)
After spending 1996 'wrangling' with
the Yankees (Yankees #1 pick (20th overall in the 96 MLB Amateur draft) and
subsequantly pitching in the Cape
Cod League 'during negotiations' Eric made his professional debut in April 97 at Tampa (Class A Fla State League).
Soon, Milton jumped to Norwich (AA) in middle 97, and completed his 1st year pro ball at the AAA playoffs w/ Columbus.
Then another surprise in the winter
(Feb) 19998. Milton was the crown jewel
of a four prospect package between
the Twins and the Yankees, sometimes labelled the "Knoblauch" deal.
However, a funny thing happened on
the Twins visit to the bank. Not only did the Twins get $3M in the deal, Twins Mgr Tom Kelly 'found his 5th starter following spring training.
And Milton, in 98, leaped to
a 2-0 0.71 ernie coming out of
the Big League gate.
For 1999, and with catcher Terry Steinbach joining the fun, Eric
again is maintaining the poise and
composure that's gotten him there.
And with the variety of (four) pitches
Milton possses, he now has
learned to hit the spots with
his fastball.
Then of course, who expected Eric's
name to be in the HofF, in only
his 2nd year of Big League.
(I know of two.)
cheers
KC & Bear