Fan favorite Rich Serrano steps away after suffering 2nd torn labrum
Rich Serrano was an exciting young starting pitcher just coming into his prime at age 27 when he suffered his second torn labrum in his pitching arm in a little over 5 years and decided that his body just couldn't do this job any longer.
Serrano combined a nasty as they get knuckle curve with a wicked screwball and if that isn't enough the young man could then throw an upper-90's fastball by a batter for strike 3. Although he control was roughly average and he was a bit prone to the longball, his stuff was tremendous and possibly even getting better and he led the SJL in 1981 in strikeouts. K/9, WHIP, and games started. And he steps away with the third lowest ERA in the SJL at this point of the 1982 season.
He was a favorite of fans not only in Milwaukee but around the league. Having been signed as a youngster out of the Dominican Republic by the Cadets in January of 1972, he rose through the Milwaukee minor league system and at one point was ranked the #2 prospect in the WPK. His first torn labrum occurred not long after, before he reached the big leagues, and while he came back from this injury slightly diminished in the prospect rankings (#23) he remained a premium prospect.
His story will be one of those classic WPK what could have been tales.
In a far less dramatic and sad story, Jaden Francis, former Denver Brewer (he was Denver's 1st round pick, #16 overall, in the 1965 amateur draft), and now Portland Wild Thing reliever, saw his season end early as he is dealing with severe shoulder inflammation that is expected to shut him down for 7 to 8 months. At age 36, the journeyman right-handed reliever hasn't had a career that stands out in any way, except perhaps for longevity and consistency. He has fashioned a 12 plus season career with a career record of 42 wins, 33 losses, 51 saves, a 3.05 ERA, and a 1.24 WHIP. While it would be an insult to say that he has been a model of mediocrity, it can fairly be said that he does personify how hard work and a modicum of talent can lead to a career of quietly modest accomplishments.
The story isn't necessarily over at age 36, but it is likely headed towards a conclusion before too long.
Still, Brewers fans wish him the best and still remember his contributions to the team over the course of 7+ seasons, including his role in two championship seasons (1970 and 1974, when he had a career high in saves with 21).