Today’s 9–Jason Bere

I keep my White Sox collection by players last name. When that player reaches 9 cards (a page), they get a post in the Today’s 9 series. I just recently moved all my cards into alphabetical order so most of these posts are just catching up and making sure everybody get’s their due.

JASON  BERE

Cards (L-R) – (top row) 1992 Classic Best, 1993 Upper Deck (inside the numbers), 1994 Fleer Ultra

(middle row) 1994 Score, 1994 Topps, 1994 Upper Deck (the future is now)

(bottom row) 1994 Upper Deck, 1994 Upper Deck Collector’s Choice, 1995 Bazooka

Played with the Sox from 1993-1998

Was 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting in 1993.

Made the All-Star game in 1994.

Card back info –

“When Jason Bere was a senior at Wilmington High School, he was 165 pounds and a non-prospect.   The White Sox took a chance on him, and Chicago thinkis it may have a future ace in the 21-year-old.  Bere has a live fastball that has been clocked in the 90’s, a slider, and what GM Ron Schueler thinks may be his best pitch, a changeup that gives his fastball an extra yard or two.  Last year, Bere started in Sarasota, blew through Class-AA and ended up in Vancouver.  It won’t be surprising if his Hollywood ascent takes him to Comiskey Park this season.” – 1993 Upper Deck (inside the numbers)

“It came as no surprise to most ovservers that Jason was the top rookie pitcher in the major leagues in ‘93 and a second-place finisher in the AL Rookie of the Year voting.  After all, he was the No. 1 White Sox prospect at the start of the season and was considered one of the game’s best righthanded pitching prospects.  After being recalled from Nashville in late May, Jason split his first 10 decisions, then really took off to end the year with seen victories in a row.  He throws an explosive 90-plus fastball, which he mixes with a nasty slider and a strong changeup.” – 1994 Score

“When pitching 8 scoreless, 2-hit innings, Jason broke an 83-year-old team rookie record when he K’d 13 Red Sox, 9-8-93.” – 1994 Topps

“When the White Sox summoned Jason Bere from Class-AAA Nashville on May 25, he joined a staff that included the 1993 Cy Young Award winner (Jack McDowell), the pitcher with the leagues fifth-best ERA (Alex Fernandez), and the pitcher with the league’s seventh-best opposition average (Wilson Alvarez).  Bere made his mark on the AL West champs as well.  He won his final seven decisions of the season, tying the franchise mark for strikeouts by a rookie (13) in one of those triumphs.  The 22-year-old also led Major League rookies in wins and paced AL rookies in strikeouts.” – 1994 Upper Deck (the future is now)

“Bere played a huge role in Chicago’s drive to the American League west title, compiling a perfect 7-0 mark in his last seven decisions of the year.  His 12 victories led all Major League rookies, helping him finish second to the Angels’ Tim Salmon in AL Rookie of the Year balloting.  Bere allowed only 270 hits in his 370 minor league innings prior to 1993, and he remained stingy in the majors, posting a .210 opponent batting average.” – 1994 Upper Deck

“Bere capped his outstanding rookie season by winning his final seven decisions as the White Sox drove to the AL west title.  Included in that stretch was a September 8 outing in which he matched the franchise rookie record with 13 K’s in eight shutout innings.” – 1994 Upper Deck Collector’s Choice

Cards in Sox uniform that I own currently – 13

Autos/Relics from player above that I currently own - 0

Bere was a great starter for a few years, then became average for awhile.  What stood out most about looking at his stats was he played until 2003.  I was not aware of that, now granted I quit watching baseball from 1994-1999, but still, I was oblivious to it.