Two more fly the coop

Two more former major leaguers have flown the coop, figuratively, and are headed overseas to play baseball. Either for the money, or for a chance to work their way back to the bigs. Doesn't matter, either way.

It's what the players want, and it's good for the game. But this is different, as they aren't headed to Japan, or even Korea. No, they have different destinations in mind.


First, on his way to Taiwan, is Mickey Callaway:

The Laredo Broncos announced today that former Major Leaguer Mickey Callaway has signed a lucrative contract with the Uni President Lions of the Taiwanese League. General Manager Jose Melendez has announced..

Callaway went 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA last season for the Broncos. Callaway was coming of Tommy John surgery and accepted the interim head baseball coach job at TAMIU before coming to the Broncos in June. "I am glad we were able to rehab Mickey and get him in shape to continue his career at a very high level" General Manager Jose Melendez mentioned.

Before coming to the Broncos, Callaway spent parts of 5 seasons in the Major Leagues with stints in the Rangers, Devil Rays and Angels organizations. He has also been a very accomplished pitcher in the Korean, Japan and Taiwanese Major Leagues.

Callaway has pitched in Taiwan before. Hell, he's pitched pretty much everywhere. You have to admire the love of the game. Callaway put up the following line in the majors:

Year Ag Tm Lg W L G GS CG SHO GF SV IP H HR BB SO IBB ERA ERA WHIP3

5 Yr WL% .267 4 11 40 20 0 0 11 0 130.7 166 17 58 86 2 6.27 74 1.714


And in a similar move, headed to the Italian league is Jeff Farnsworth:

The runner up in the 2008 Italian Baseball League championship DANESI NETTUNO has signed the former Major League pitcher Jeff Farnsworth. The 33-year-old right-hander is currently pitching for the TIGRES DE ARAGUA, since Friday the winner of the Venezuelan Winter League. He now makes the trip to Mexicali, Mexico for the Caribbean Series, which starts on Monday.

The following seasons he split time between Independent League teams and Minor League affiliates of the Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox. In 2008 he was in the bullpen of Southern Maryland in the Atlantic League, appearing in eleven games (nine starts) with an ERA of 7.01 and 28 strikeouts (29 walks) in 52 2/3 innings. With the beginning of the Winter League season in the Caribes he joined the Venezuelan club CARIBES DE ANZOATEGUI, before transferring to ARGUA right in time for the postseason. Farnsworth had a 2-0 record and an ERA of 2.43 in seven starts during the playoffs with 28 K’s (16 walks) in 37 innings pitched.

This was Farnsworth line in his only season. Guess they didn't know Kyle was available:

Year Ag Tm Lg W L G GS CG SHO GF SV IP H HR BB SO IBB ERA ERA+ WHIP

2002 26 DET AL 2 3 44 0 0 0 15 0 70.0 100 6 29 28 8 5.79 73 1.843

Anyhow, I'm not going to do this every time I hear about a former major leaguer going to play in one of the lesser known leagues outside the States and Japan. I have a feeling this won't be anymore newsworthy than normal transactions. Soon. Good.