Parker Comes Home to Rejuvenate Career

Corey Parker knows they’re out there, watching and waiting for the chance to question any wrong move he makes during an at-bat for the Vigilantes.

If he chases a pitch out of the strike zone or makes some other mistake, he’ll have to answer for his actions, but not to a coach or scout.

Parker spends many mornings teaching hitting at the Baseball Academy in Santa Ana and must explain himself to his students, many of whom attend Vigilantes’ home games at Saddleback College.

“One time this kid asked me why he has to keep both hands on the bat when he swings because he saw me and I didn’t,” Parker said. “But it didn’t bother me. It’s just nice to be able to play in front of my family and friends again.”

Parker, a left-handed hitting first baseman, played at Foothill High, Orange Coast College and UC Irvine. He was a 15th-round pick of the Detroit Tigers in 1992, the same year UCI dropped baseball, so signing was an easy choice.

He spent that summer in Niagara Falls on a Class-A team, then spent the next two years at Fayetteville, N.C., with another Class-A team in the South Atlantic League. He hit .225 and .213 in his two years in Fayetteville.

Parker’s life was scrambled in the spring of 1995, when he and several others from his draft class were released when the Tigers changed leadership in their minor league operation.

“It was tough,” Parker said. “Basically, someone is telling you they don’t need you anymore.”

Parker hooked up with Surrey, an independent team in British Columbia, with the help of scout Tom Ferguson.

His confidence as a hitter still shaken, Parker batted only .217 and last year moved on to Bangor, an independent team in Maine, with hopes of proving himself again.

Parker said he still had doubts about his ability early in the season until a stunning performance in late June, when he hit home runs in five consecutive at-bats over two games in a doubleheader in West Warwick, R.I.

“That night’s going to stay with me forever,” Parker said. “It was crazy. I remember before the game my roommate came up to me and said, ‘You’re going to have a really good night.’ ”

It started with a run-scoring single in his first at-bat. Then there was a two-run homer to center field, followed by a three-run blast to center. He pulled a two-run shot to right, then hit another two-run homer to center in his final at-bat in the first game.

He finished with 10 runs batted in and his team won, 16-5. He did a between-game radio show and said the weight of his accomplishments hadn’t hit him yet.

He hit a home run in his first at-bat in the second game; however, the streak ended when he grounded to second in his next at-bat. Parker, who hits mostly line drives, had 19 homers in 340 games before the outburst.

One of the home run balls was sent to the Hall of Fame and he is believed to be only the second person to hit home runs in five consecutive at-bats in organized baseball history. His accomplishments also were featured on newscasts across the country after ESPN picked up the story.

“I didn’t really realize what I had done at first,” Parker said. “It was like someone else was in charge. . . . But it was really about letting go and letting things happen. That night told me that I can hit.

“I just fight myself so much. It’s just a matter of confidence and trusting your hands.”

Parker, 26, hurt his leg about a month later and missed the final 35 games of the season. He still finished at .299 with 11 home runs and 39 RBIs. He gave away his shoes and a glove at the end of the season because he figured his baseball career was completed. He was ready to move on to teaching the game.

But once it was announced a team was coming to Mission Viejo, Parker’s father urged him to give it one more try. Parker, who has a social science degree from UCI, gave Mission Viejo Manager Buck Rodgers a call and was invited to spring training.

He made the team and has had a solid season, including hitting four home runs in a recent three-game stretch.

He is batting .283 with 14 doubles, eight homers and 29 RBIs through 50 games for the Vigilantes. He also leads the team with 29 walks.

“It’s definitely a good situation,” Parker said. “I’m teaching some kids and I’m playing ball. It was a good decision to play here. I’m having fun.”

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This week in minor league baseball history:

July 22, 1959--After hitting at least one home run in 42 consecutive home games, Phoenix of the Pacific Coast League was stopped by left-hander George Brunet of Portland (Ore.). Brunet pitched off and on in the majors from 1956-1971, including a stint with the Angels from 1964-69.

July 23, 1936--Johnny Vander Meer of Durham (N.C.) struck out 20 Asheville Tourists. Just nine days before, he struck out 17 against Portsmouth. Vander Meer would go on to rack up two separate 16-strikeout efforts against Portsmouth (Va.) that season. He would lead the minors with 295 strikeouts for the season.

July 25, 1933--Joe DiMaggio, 18-year-old San Francisco Seals outfielder, hit safely in his 61st consecutive game. The streak would end the next day against the Oakland Oaks’ Ed Walsh Jr.