Correspondence date: Apr. 2012
George Bjorkman played pro baseball between 1978 and 1985, serving as a catcher in the St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles and Montreal Expos organizations. He would get his big break in 1983 as a mid-season call-up for the Astros. In his only Major League season, Mr. Bjorkman would play in 29 games and hit .227 with 2 homeruns and 14 RBI. He would also throw out 8 baserunners who attempted to steal on him during the season.
Mr. Bjorkman was drafted by the Cardinals in the 4th round of the 1978 amateur draft, out of Oral Roberts University. I was curious to know what his draft experience was like coming out of ORU.
“I had never been drafted before, kind of unusual for a college senior. I was shocked when I learned the Cardinals had drafted me…I didn’t know they were interested nor had I ever talked with them. I had talked to a Rangers scout and Dodger scout and often wonder how my career would have been different had I been drafted by either of them.”
It seems as though Mr. Bjorkman must have impressed some scouts during his senior year, which no doubt contributed to him finally being given the attention that most other college prospects experience. Looking back, perhaps it may have been more advantageous (and exciting) for him to be drafted by his hometown Rangers instead of the Cardinals. However, Mr. Bjorkman should not have any regrets about his time in pro ball and his half-season in the Majors- an accomplishment most minor leaguers never get to experience.
On deck: Mr. Bjorkman talks about his first MLB hit.
Baseball Interactions 