Retro Mariner Sunday 10/31/10

Today we go back in time again to meet a former Mariner. Our player today was a fringe player before coming to the Mariners, but became an everyday player. After attending Joliet HS and Murray State University, Jack Perconte was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 16th round of the 1976 draft. While working his way through the minors, Jack would see time with the club in 1980 and 1981. For his time spent on the roster in 1981, he would earn a World Series ring. After the 1981 season, the Dodgers would trade Jack to the Cleveland Indians.

After two seasons in Cleveland, Jack would be traded again after the 1983 season. At the request of manager Del Crandall, Seattle would trade 2B Tony Bernazard to Cleveland for Perconte, and DH Gorman Thomas. Jack would be the everyday second baseman and a steady influence on a young infield. Near the beginning of the 1986 season, after spring training, Jack was released by the Mariners in favor of a younger player named Harold Reynolds to play 2B. Jack would spend some time with the White Sox in 1986. In 1987, Jack would sign again with the Dodgers, but spend the year in AAA Albuquerque. After that season, Jack would retire back home to Naperville, IL.

He would start his own training facility, called Jack Perconte Sports Academy. Over the next 19 years, Jack would train and coach over 60,000 baseball and softball players on hitting and fielding. In 2009, Jack published two books. The making of a hitter, and also Raising an athlete.