[Mick]

Remember Randy Elliott?  

That is all one needs to know re: the value of spring numbers.

Randy Elliott was an interesting story. Had all the talent in the world, couldn't stay healthy. Was on the injured list regularly, and missed a season and a half prior to 1977 because of rib and shoulder injuries. He worked with Hank Sauer who swore up and down how talented Elliott was, and Elliott wangled an invitation to the SF Giants' 1977 spring training. He was healthy all spring, made the team, was supposed to platoon in LF with Darrell Evans. 

In his first plate appearance of the regular season, Doug Rau hit Elliott on his balky should with a pitch, and then during his next plate appearance, his shoulder popped out. And he was shot for the next month. He rebounded, hit .278 from May to August, had three pinch hit home runs including a pinch grand slam. Got hurt again.

https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/WH...660151.php

[Mick]

Remember Randy Elliott?  

That is all one needs to know re: the value of spring numbers.

Randy Elliott was an interesting story. Had all the talent in the world, couldn't stay healthy. Was on the injured list regularly, and missed a season and a half prior to 1977 because of rib and shoulder injuries. He worked with Hank Sauer who swore up and down how talented Elliott was, and Elliott wangled an invitation to the SF Giants' 1977 spring training. He was healthy all spring, made the team, was supposed to platoon in LF with Darrell Evans. 

In his first plate appearance of the regular season, Doug Rau hit Elliott on his balky should with a pitch, and then during his next plate appearance, his shoulder popped out. And he was shot for the next month. He rebounded, hit .278 from May to August, had three pinch hit home runs including a pinch grand slam. Got hurt again.

https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/WH...660151.php