Friday, November 5, 1999

Associated Press
Mike Fetters pitched for the Orioles last season

Fetters not yet
ready to retire

The 34-year-old right-hander
feels he still has a few years left
after successful surgery
on his elbow

CAREER STATISTICS

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

Mike Fetters thinks about retirement after 11 major-league seasons, but successful surgery on his right elbow last summer has him thinking more about pitching for another couple years.

The former Iolani star probably should have had the surgery three or four years ago, but always thought the occasional pain was just a normal by-product of pitching.

He signed a minor-league contract with Baltimore last February and made the Orioles' opening day roster. But, before long, the discomfort became worse.

Fetters had surgery and went on the disabled list June 7.

"The doctor told me he had never taken so much stuff out of an elbow before. He removed six bone chips and two bone spurs," Fetters said from his Arizona home.

When he was cleared to pitch again, he spent time at Rochester (N.Y.) in the International League and was encouraged by the way he threw, especially in his final three outings. The Orioles activated him when major league rosters increased to 40 players Sept. 1.

"I threw a little bit at the end of the season. I think I have a couple of good years left in me now that there is no pain," Fetters said.

He has filed for free agency since his contract was a one-year deal with Baltimore.

"I'm hoping to get a shot somewhere this coming year. That's up to my agent. I'm hoping to get an agreement done with someone, hopefully before Christmas," the 6-foot-4 right-hander said.

"I'll sign a minor-league contract and try to make a team. My velocity is up to where it was in the past. Now that I'm older (he turns 35 next month) and didn't have a good year, I'm very cheap."

Fetters made $750,000 with Baltimore this past season.

He's already working out and admits it doesn't get any easier. And, he has no interest hanging around in the high minors.

"I've done that already. It's the majors or nothing," he said. "It was humbling and yet great to spend time at Rochester and see how the young guys were fighting and clawing to get to the major leagues. And, you know some won't make it."

If there isn't a major-league team willing to give him a shot in 2000 and retirement becomes a reality, Fetters says his ultimate dream would be to come home to Hawaii and coach.

---

MIKE FETTERS' CAREER STATISTICS

Height: 6-4. Weight: 226. Throws: Right. Bats: Right.
Schools: Iolani, Pepperdine.

PITCHING RECORD

Year, Team, League		G	IP	W	L	Pct.	H	ER	BB	SO	ERA
1986-Salem, Northwest		12	72	4	2	.667	60	27	51	72	3.38
1987-Palm Springs, California	19	116	9	7	.563	106	46	73	105	3.57
1988-Midland, Texas		20	114	8	8	.500	116	75	67	101	5.92
1988-Edmonton, Pacific Coast	2	14	2	0	1.000	8	3	10	11	1.93
1989-Edmonton, Pacific Coast.	26	168	12	8	.600	160	71	72	144	3.80
1989-California, American	1	3-2/3	0	0	.000	5	3	1	4	8.10
1990-Edmonton, Pacific Coast	5	27-1/3	1	1	.500	22	3	13	26	0.99
1990-California, American	26	67-2/3	1	1	.500	77	31	20	35	4.12
1991-Edmonton, Pacific Coast	11	61	2	7	.222	65	33	26	43	4.87
1991-California, American	19	44-2/3	2	5	.286	53	24	28	24	4.84
1992-Milwaukee, American	50	62-2/3	5	1	.833	38	13	24	43	1.87
1993-Milwaukee, American	45	59-1/3	3	3	.500	59	22	22	23	3.34
1994-Milwaukee, American	42	46	1	4	.200	41	13	27	31	2.54
1995-Milwaukee, American	40	34-2/3	0	3	.000	40	13	20	33	3.38
1996-Milwaukee, American	61	61-1/3	3	3	.500	65	23	26	53	3.38
1997-Tucson, Pacific Coast	2	1-2/3	0	0	.000	1	2	1	0	10.78
1997-Milwaukee, American	51	70-1/3	1	5	.167	62	27	33	62	3.47
1998-Oakland, American		48	47-1/3	1	6	.143	48	21	21	34	3.99
1998-Anaheim, American		12	11-1/3	1	2	.333	14	7	4	9	5.56
1999-Rochester, International	4	3-2/3	0	0	.000	0	0	2	6	0.00
1999-Baltimore, American	27	31	1	0	1.000	35	21	22	22	6.10
	Minor League totals	101	577-2/3	38	33	.535	538	260	315	508	4.05
	Major League totals	422	540	19	33	.365	528	218	248	373	3.63

NOTES

Drafted in 22nd round, regular phase, by the Los Angeles Dodgers, June 6, 1983. Did not sign.

Drafted in supplemental round (27th overall), "sandwich pick" between first and second round, by the California Angels, June 2, 1986. Pick received as compensation for the Baltimore Orioles signing of Type A free agent Juan Beniquez, infielder/outfielder. Signed June 18, 1986.

Made his Major League debut September 1, 1989 with the California Angels against the New York Yankees (at New York). Pitched 3.3 innings of relief, giving up five hits, four runs, three earned, walked one, struck out four.

Traded by the California Angels with pitcher Glenn Carter to the Milwaukee Brewers for pitcher Chuck Crim, December 10, 1991.

On disabled list, May 3-19, 1992.

Granted restricted free agency, December 23, 1994 to February 15, 1995.

On disabled list, May 25-June 9, 1995.

Selected the Milwaukee Brewers' Most Valuable Pitcher for 1996 by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Traded by the Milwaukee Brewers along with right-hander Ben McDonald and left-hander Ron Villone to the Cleveland Indians for outfielder Marquis Grissom and right-hander Jeff Juden, December 8, 1997.

Traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Oakland Athletics for right-hander Steve Karsay, December 8, 1997.

On disabled list, April 6-26, 1998.

Granted free agency, October 26, 1998.

Signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles, February 1, 1999.

The Baltimore Orioles purchased Fetters' contract from Rochester of the International League, April 4, 1999.

On disabled list, June 7 to Sept 1, 1999 (surgery on right elbow).

STATISTICAL NOTES

Led Midland in wild pitches (18) in 1988.

Led the Pacific Coast League in strikeouts (144) and tied for the lead in complete games (6) in 1989.

Had one save for California in 1990, two saves for Milwaukee in 1992, 17 in 1994, 22 in 1995, 32 (club record for a right-hander) in 1996 and 6 in 1997, and 5 for Oakland in 1998.