#12 Craig Reynolds, Shortstop

If you were picked with the 22nd pick in the 1st round of the draft in 1971 you would think you were on the fast track to the big leagues right? That wouldn't be the case for Craig. He would make a slow climb to the top. After rookie ball, it was A ball, then a jump to all three levels, only to stay at AAA for three seasons getting the common late season call up in 1975 and 1976. The Pirates decided that they might need a little more pitching to make their run in the late 70's and decided to send Craig and Jimmy Sexton to Seattle for Grant Jackson. The Mariners knew they were in need of a starting shortstop and they would find him in Craig. He was so counted on that he would be the Mariners All Star representative in the 1978 game in San Diego. Craig didn't get to play as Freddie Patek played the whole game at SS. After two solid seasons at short, Craig was again the victim of the dreaded 'we need pitching" syndrome. The Mariners would send Craig to his hometown team in the Houston Astros, getting Floyd Bannister to come to Seattle in return. Suddenly he was home and would spend the next 11 seasons in Houston, finally retiring after the 1989 season. After baseball Craig felt a higher calling as is currently a pastor at the North Campus of the Second Baptist Church in Houston.