Lafayette Drillers Flashback: Steve Greenough

The Lafayette Drillers, a Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, called Lafayette, Louisiana their home for two years, from 1975-1976.

The Drillers, who played their home games at Clark Field, were co-champions of the Texas League in 1975 with the Midland Cubs, finishing 72-57, before going 58-76 in 1976, the last year of affiliated professional baseball in Lafayette.

A number of outstanding players, who eventually made it into Major League Baseball ranks played at Clark Field in 1975 & 1976, including five former Lafayette Driller players.

All summer long, we’re taking a look back at some of the former players for the Drillers.

Today, pitcher Steve Greenough.

Greenough was a relief pitcher pitcher for the Drillers for a small portion of the 1975 season.

After attending South Eugene High School in Eugene, Oregon, Greenough was drafted in the 22nd round of the 1969 Major League Baseball Draft by the New York Yankees..

Electing not to sign with the Yankees, Greenough went on to pitch college baseball for the Oregon Ducks, before being selected in the 15th round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the San Francisco Giants in 1972 at the age of 21.

The 5-foot-10, 200-pound Greenough made minor league stops in Great Falls, Montana and Fresno, California, before joining the Drillers in 1975 at the age of 24.

With Lafayette, Greenough pitched in 10 games in ’75, all in relief, going 1-0 with a 1.69 earned run average.

In 16 innings pitched, Greenough allowed 15 hits, three earned runs, and eight walks, while striking out 12 hitters.

The brief stint in Lafayette turned out to be the last in professional baseball for Greenough, who retired after the 1975 season, having never made it past the AA level

Greenough concluded his 4-year professional career going 11-9 with a 3.17 ERA, and 14 saves, over 101 appearances.