Saturday, January 21, 2012

Random Random Astro - Mike Brumley

This is the first of a new series here at Astros County. The premise is simple; at random times throughout the coming year, we'll look at a random player from the Astros' 50 year history. Today's random random Astro is Mike Brumley.

Brumley actually had two extremely brief tours in Houston in the mid 90's, primarily as a pinch hitter and utility defensive replacement. He first came to the Astros as a minor league free agent in 1993. After an impressive season in AAA Tucson where he hit .353/.419/.471 with 0 homeruns and 24 steals as a SS/OF, he was called up to Houston in September. In 11 plate appearances spread across 8 games he hit .300/.364/.300. Brumley did get one start in right field that season, in game #162. His highlight of the season was October 2nd when, as an 8th inning pinch hitter, he hit a 2 RBI single to give Houston a 3-1 victory over the Mets. Houston placed Brumley on waivers October 4th.

Brumley's second stint with Houston was 1995 when he was once again signed to a minor league deal. Through two call ups that season, Brumley managed a .056/.056/.222 line over 18 games with 18 plate appearances, including one start in left field. Brumley again had one good pinch hitting appearance. September 28th against the Cubs he game to the plate in the top of the 11th inning and swatted a solo HR, temporarily giving the Astros the lead before the team lost 12-11 in the bottom of the same inning.

After spending the entire 1996 season in Tucson, Brumley's career ended. In his two seasons as an Astro, Brumley totaled a .143/.172/.250 line while appearing as a pinch hitter, pinch runner, 1B, 2B, 3B, LF, and RF.