Who: Chris Pittaro (Infield) - Detroit Tigers (1985)
What To Remember: Pittaro, a minor league Spring Training invite to Lakeland in 1985, made a huge impression on the Tigers' future Hall-of-Fame Manager, Sparky Anderson. Anderson entertained the thought of breaking up arguably the best double-play combination in MLB history (Shortstop Alan Trammel and Second Baseman Lou Whitaker) to insert Pittaro as his starting Second Baseman. Sparky Anderson: "Chris Pittaro has a chance to be the greatest Second Baseman who ever lived."
What Happened?: After making the 1985 Tigers team out of Spring Training, Pittaro had mild immediate success, followed by mediocre play and injuries. He played in a total of 28 games that season, and finished the year back in the Minor Leagues. Before the 1986 season, the Tigers traded Pittaro to the Minnesota Twins. He left professional baseball after the 1987 season.
Where Is He Now?: Pittaro has been a key player in the Billy Beane "Moneyball" movement with the Oakland Athletics since 1991. He has risen through the system from an entry-level scout to his current position as Special Assistant to the General Manager.
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