Phil Nevin

Sent: 3/6/12
Received: 3/15/12
Time: 9 Days
Address: c/o Detroit Tigers Spring Training
Item Sent: 1991 Topps Traded, 2007 Topps Heritage
Item Received: 1991 Topps Traded, 2007 Topps Heritage.  Both signed in black Sharpie.

Notes:
Phil Nevin was the #1 overall pick in the 1991 amateur draft by the Houston Astros, taken over prospects such as Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon.  Coming out of college as the Golden Spikes Award winner, it was widely assumed that Nevin would be on the fast track to the big leagues.  It took him three years to make it to Houston, though, and when he did he hit a paltry .117 and was discarded to the Detroit Tigers for aging reliever Mike Henneman.  After four more years of floundering as a spare part and utility player, trying to fend off the "bust" label, Nevin wound up in San Diego.  He blossomed offensively with the Padres.  He peaked in 2001 with 41 homers, 126 RBI, and a .976 OPS.  In 2006, he came to Minnesota at the August trade deadline.  He only played 16 regular season games for the Twins, but finally got a taste of the playoffs for the first and only time in his 12 year career.  Since moving into coaching, Nevin has quickly climbed the Tigers organizational ladder.  He just started his second season in charge of the AAA Toledo Mud Hens.