John Odom (baseball): Difference between revisions

Odom, 6-foot-2, described himself as a "lost youth." He was kicked off of his high school baseball team in [[Roswell, Georgia]].<ref name="salon"/> He then played two seasons for the [[Tallahassee Community College]] baseball team, going 6-1 with a 2.75 ERA in {{by|2004}}.<ref name="volcanoes">{{cite web| url=http://www.volcanoesbaseball.com/Rosters%20&%20Players/2006_volcanoes_roster_and_bio.htm | title=2005 Volcanoes Roster and Bio | accessdate=2009-03-04}}</ref> In {{by|2003}}, he was drafted in the 44th round by the [[San Francisco Giants]].<ref name="salon"/> He played for the Giants' affiliates [[Salem Keizer Volcanoes]] in {{by|2004}} & {{by|2006}}, and the [[Augusta Greenjackets]] in {{by|2005}}.<ref name="espn">{{cite web| url=http://sports.espn.go.com/minorlbb/news/story?id=3409864 | title=Independent team deals pitcher for 10 maple bats |author=[[Associated Press]]|date=2008-05-26| accessdate=2009-03-04|publisher=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref><ref name="bbr">{{cite web| url=http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=25585 | title=John Odom Statistics (Minor Leagues) | accessdate=2009-03-04|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref> He missed most of the 2005 season because of a right elbow injury, having [[Tommy John surgery]] in June 2005.<ref name="volcanoes"/> He did not play in {{by|2007}} due to a dislocated left shoulder.<ref name="salon"/> In three seasons and 140.1 career innings in the Giants' farm system, Odom compiled a 3.98 ERA and averaged 7.35 strikeouts per nine innings.<ref name="bbr"/> He was minor league teammates with [[Tim Lincecum]] and [[Kevin Frandsen]].<ref name="salon"/>

 

The Giants released Odom during [[spring training]] {{by|2008}}.<ref name="salon"/> He then signed in May with the [[Calgary Vipers]] of the [[Golden Baseball League]], but a mark on his [[criminal record]], a 1999 conviction for aggravated assault when he was a minor, prevented his [[Immigration|entry into]] [[Canada]].<ref name="salon"/> The Vipers offered Odom to the [[Laredo Broncos]] for a Bronco player, but that player refused to move to [[Calgary]]. The Broncos then offered $1000 cash for Odom, but the Vipers felt cash deals made the team appear financially unstable. The teams then came to an agreement on May 20 to exchange Odom for ten Prairie Sticks maple bats, worth a total of $665.<ref name="salon"/><ref name="espn"/>