[Westheim]

Feature: Where are they now??

Let’s take another look at those long-forgotten Coons that have been plucked semi-randomly from the batting register.

1B Hoyt Cook
Hoyt Cook was a first baseman of those horrible Raccoons, from 1977 to 1981. He was stuck behind Wyatt Johnston early on, and then Johnston close in on the big four-oh, and Cook got his chance, he failed. He was shipped off to Dallas for pitcher Todd Raines (another one of those … guys) before the 1982 season, but was claimed off waivers by the Indians when the season began. He was traded or claimed a few more times. His last major league exposure came with the Buffaloes in 1986, but he appeared in only 12 games. Overall he is .243 with 28 HR and 207 RBI, with most of the glitter having already come in Portland. He currently is with the Aces’ AAA affiliate, trying to make a comeback once more at age 35.

SP Yoelbi Maurinha
Maurinha, who was with the Raccoons 1982-83, exited the system just as he entered it, as a waiver claim. The Condors took him when he was struck off the 40-man roster in 1985, but he never resurfaced in the major leagues and retired after 1988 season at the age of 35. His major league exposure was limited to 24 games with the Canadiens (1978-80) and 41 with the Raccoons.
Career stats: 65 G, 36 GS, 9-22, 4.00 ERA, +5.5 WAR

INF Davis Rigsby
A late signing just before the 1984 season, Rigsby did little to endanger the reigning middle infield combo of Steve Walker and Winston Thompson. He appeared in only 77 games, batting an indifferent .239 with two homers and was not retained after the season. The Loggers signed him to a deal for 1985, but he again only played a partial season, and was not retained after batting .237 for the Loggers (even for the Loggers, that was bad). He went unsigned the next one and a half years and retired in early 1987, at the age of 34.
Career stats: .257/.332/.376, 66 HR, 486 RBI, +6.6 WAR

OF Gustavo Zuniga
One of many, who went through the Raccoons’ revolving door in center field around 1980, turned a few laps in there, and were kicked out. In Zuniga’s case the problem was him batting .122 in 1980, his second season here. He was traded to New York for a nobody the next winter, and made all of 16 games for the Crusaders the next two years. Injuries ate him up in 1983, and he retired a year later, aged 31. He holds the distinction of coming last in the All-time Alphabet of Raccoons.
Career stats: .227/.291/.340, 12 HR, 71 RBI, -1.3 WAR

CL Ben Green
Meant to be the closer for the Raccoons in 1977, he was unable to get the job done and was not given another contract after being superseded by Wally Gaston. Green went on to pitch with other teams, but was only twice installed as closer, with the 1978 Pacifics and 1980 Indians, and saved 49 games for the latter team. He was used rather indifferently after that, with a problematic K/BB ratio and then a shoulder injury in 1983, while with the Buffaloes, further hurting him. He saw time with the 1984 Bayhawks, then retired at age 36. His season in Portland was by far his worst.
Career stats: 336 G, 24-27, 96 SV, 2.45 ERA, +5.2 WAR

If anybody has some interest in other ex-Furballs, I can look into those, too. Except for Alex White. Alex White is off limits. (fleshes teeth)