Big Unit, Tenarsky Traded for Youth April 10, 1999
MONTREAL (CP)--Lance Tenarsky is 35 years old and has never seen the city of Montreal. Having been traded to Tucson only days before the beginning of the beginning of the season, he will have to wait until August 13th to get the chance.
Tenarsky, UMass graduate and former philosophy professor at Western Illinois University, is the only player in Royals history to get a position on the roster without ever having played in the minors. He appeared on the NCAA All-Star team 6 yeras in a row, only to have his streak broken due to a severe case of pneumonia. He was drafted number 14 overall in the amateur draft, but decided instead to pursue a career in philosophy because he believed it was "more fulfilling". At the age of 33, he was given an honourary position on the national All-Star team, and prompty struck out 4 batters in one inning (the catcher couldn't handle his fastball so the first strikeout victim got on first base from a passed ball).
Last fall, professor Lance Tenarsky gave up Socrates, Plato and Diderot and made himself eligible for the PVBL Free Agent draft.
"I plan to play baseball probably 'till I'm 40," said the Tucson reliever. "If I had never played baseball professional, I would've worried for the rest of my life that I had missed out on all the fun... Most profs take a sabbatical. This, I call an extended vacation."
Tenarsky's witticisms will be missed just as much as his 90-mph fastball. The game for Randy Johnson, who brought a Cy Young award to Montreal and a division title with reach.
Johnson was not surprised by the trade, considering the Royals were shopping their pitching in an attempt to fill the gaping holes in the batting order.
Rondell White, who now forms the core of the Royals' offense along with Greer, was shocked upon hearing that he was dealt. "We were in the middle of negogiating a 4 or 5-year contract," said White.
"But now that the season has started, I'm already comfortable. Montreal is a city you can get used to quickly. The same goes for the team... It's a great franchise, and hopefully it will be my hope for the long term."
