Asheville Tourists (1976-79), Western Carolinas League, AAA

Twig and his family loved the beautiful Asheville area. The Tourists, a Texas Rangers affiliate, had good teams and Twig had a pitching coach, Jeff Scott, all four years.

Future major leaguers included first baseman-outfielder Pat Putnam, infielders Luis Gonzalez and Mike Richardt, and outfielders George Wright and Eddie Miller, along with pitchers Paula Mirabella, Mike Griffin, Len Whitehouse, John Butcher, Ed Lynch and Gene Nelson.

One Sunday the players staged a wrestling show complete with costumes and acting. One masked combatant was kneed in the face and carried from the ring while the crowd laughed at the fake blood...except that it was real. Vic Mabee, a true showman, never complained about the extremely fat lip he sustained.

Forward to Tulsa Drillers (1980)

Back to Year by Year.....or.....Managing