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June 01, 2006
Mick's Great-Nephew
From the AP -
A great-nephew of Oklahoma native Mickey Mantle takes the first step in his professional baseball career.
Blake King, a right-handed pitcher who led all junior college pitchers in strikeouts as a freshman, signed a minor-league contract with Saint Louis Cardinals in front of about 40 family members and friends yesterday.
The 19-year-old says he plans to work on locating pitches and developing a change-up after the Cardinals assign him to their rookie ball affiliate in either State College, Pennsylvania, or Johnson City, Tennessee.
King's grandfather, Roy Mantle, was a brother of New York Yankees star Mickey Mantle, who grew up in Commerce.
King was drafted by the Cards in the 44th round of the 2005 draft last June. So, he's a draft and follow signing - like the Yankees once did with Andy Pettitte.
"Blake King" just sounds like a ballplayer, no? Sorta like "Mickey Mantle." I wish the kid all the best. It would be a nice story to see him pitch, and do well, in the majors someday. (Just as long as it's not against the Yankees.)
Posted by Steve Lombardi at June 1, 2006 09:54 AM