It’s almost St. Patty’s Day. That means it’s almost time for four-leaf clovers, leprechauns and, of course, the mystical pot of gold.
So what better time to look at some major leaguers whose careers started as cups of coffee at the end of a season and have since blossomed into sheer stardom—pieces of gold in their respective clubs’ pots?
Some players begin their careers with the dawn of a new season. Others get their first call-up midway through the season.
However, there are some who get promoted to the big leagues towards the end of a season, when the parent team is either in the midst of a playoff hunt or has already been eliminated and is holding early auditions for the subsequent season. They get called up for a cup of coffee.
What you are about to see is a list players whose careers started within the last 20 years and fall into the latter category. On September 1, the major league roster limits expand to 40 players, which allows clubs to begin calling up their young prospects to get a taste of the high life. Since their call-ups, these players have gone on to have All-Star, and perhaps even Hall of Fame, careers.