Jim Bruske: 16 Years in Pro Ball (That I Know Of)
1992 Fleer/Procards #3992
1993 Fleer/ProCards # 2100
1993 - 1994 Fleer Excel # 197
1994 Fleer/ProCards #753
Bruske actually began as an outfielder in the Indians organization before switching to pitching for the 1990 season. He came to the Houston chain as a free agent after the Indians released him from his contract at AAA Colorado Springs midseason 1992. After pitching in the Astros organization for three years, he finally made the majors in time for his 30th birthday with the 1995 Los Angeles Dodgers. He won his first major league game on June 23, 1997, pitching for the Padres. Bruske pitched five scoreless innings in relief of Will Cunnane and watched as Steve Finley hit three home runs--two after Bruske entered the game--to help the Pads defeat the Giants 11- 6. Bruske went on to win three more times that year and finished 4 - 1 with a better-than-league-average 3.63 ERA. The following year Bruske pitched with the Pads again until being traded on August 23, 1998 with future New Orleans Zephyr Brad Kaufman to the Yankees. Bruske won a game with the Yankess in three appearances before moving on again--back to the Dodgers. He next surfaced in the majors with the 2000 Brewers, for whom he made 15 appearances,winning one, and was last seen anywhere with the 2001 Salt Lake City Stingers, the AAA farmclub of the California Angels.

Jim Bruske's Stats in the Astros Organization
Year Team League Wins Losses Saves Strikeouts Walks ERA
1992 Jackson Generals Texas 4 3 0 48 14 2.63
1993 Jackson Generals Texas 9 5 0 83 22 2.31
1993 Tuscon Toros PCL 4 2 1 42 18 3.78
1994 Tuscon Toros PCL 3 1 0 25 8 4.15