MLB DEBUT #200 - SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

Brad Davis forced to borrow catchers gear for MLB debut

 Among the 1,300+ players and coaches to have donned a Goldpanners uniform through the 2011 season, hundreds have continued their careers into professional baseball, with 200 Goldpanners having made it all the way to the pinnacle of professional baseball in major leagues.  [Even more remarkable is that the number of overall MLB draft picks is almost equal to the total number of players on the Goldpanners all-time roster (some players having been given more than one draft pick)!   For more on this story, see the Goldpanners All-Time Draft List.]

The all-time team roster also includes many great coaches and field managers, including current MLB managers Don Wakamatsu (83) and Terry Francona (78).   A large number of Panners are currently coaching on the major league level.. although they are listed below according to their playing debut.  Ben Hines is the sole Goldpanners field manager to have ascended to a coaching position on the major league level without having first made the bigs as a player.

 In addition, there is an increasing number of Goldpanners ascending to the top of the game in MLB front offices.   Though they are not listed below, they are worthy of notice. The advancement seen by Goldpanner alums in the ranks of MLB personnel is an exciting recent development.  Securing such high-ranking, off-field MLB personnel positions is at least as much an accomplishment as achieving an on-field roster spot.   The current prospect watch in the personnel department is Larry Corrigan, who is rumored to be first in line for the Pittsburgh GM position, or "right up there".

Another off field department being overwhelmed by Goldpanners is in the scounting department.   Numerous Panners (not listed) have reached the pinnacle of the honorable scouting profession, representing MLB clubs around the world.  1982 player/coach Eddie Bane is perhaps the finest example of scouting excellence coming from the Panner roster.   Tim Kelly, 1985 field manager, is another accomplished scout.   He is currently living in Asia as part of his baseball scouting work.

Speaking of Asia: There are also many Goldpanners who have ascended to the top of the game in other nations, as well.   The Nippon League in Japan has hosted dozens of Goldpanners, and there is a growing number in other international leagues as well.. such as the Chinese Professional Baseball League, which is a rising star in the baseball world.

For Dan Pastorini (68), the top of the game was as starting quarterback for the Houston Oilers NFL franchise.

The most recent Goldpanner to reach MLB is Chris Schwinden (06), who made his debut with the New York Mets on September 8, 2011

* = Coach at MLB level or Goldpanners coach following MLB career  
# = Chinese Professional Baseball League