Short Stay Sunday: Tarrik Brock

Brock is an infamous name in Cubs history.  Every Cub fan still cringes at the thought of the dreaded Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio trade made 50 years ago.  However, Lou was not the only Brock who made a brief cameo on the Cubs roster.

However, Tarrik is of no relation and is of far lesser consequence.  Drafted in the second round by the Detroit Tigers in 1991 with much hype, he languished for several seasons in A ball, a level at which he had a career .228 batting average.  As for his ballyhooed legs, he never stole more than 25 bases in his six seasons with the Tigers organization.

After spending some time in the Mariners and Rockies organization, he found his way to Chicago by trade in 1999.  In 54 games for AA West Tennessee, he batted a paltry .217, stealing 9 bases.

Despite these weak numbers, Tarrik finally made a major league roster for the first time as the Cubs opened their 2000 season in Japan.  He even singled in his long-awaited first MLB at bat off of Rich Rodriguez, pinch hitting in the 7th inning.

But, that's where the magic ended.  Over the course of his 13 games (16 PAs), he was only able to muster one other hit. This earned him a ticket back down to AAA and would mark the end of his major league career.

That is to say, his career as an active player was over.  After spending several seasons as a roving base running coordinator in the Marlins organization, Tarrik is no back in the big leagues.  He's currently serving as the first base coach in Houston under another former Cub in manager Bo Porter.

Tarrik coaching first base with the Astros

In addition, in his personal life, his family consists of plenty of other athletic talent.  His wife, Kanika, was a sprinter at USC and currently serves as a coach at Encino Crespi High School in California.  One of her star charges is their son Tarrik Jr., who last year ran the fastest 100 meters in state history for a freshman.

He won his heat in 10.57 seconds. As a former track pseudo-star myself, that's pretty flippin' fast!

The card that I have representing in my Cubs All-Time Roster Collection comes from the 2002 edition of Line Up; the subject of these sets was the Venezuelan Winter League.  Obscure/forgotten player, oddball card, off-the-wall set basis... sounds like my kind of thing!

Thus concludes today's edition of Short Stay Sunday on Wrigley Roster Jenga.  I hope you enjoyed it, but Imust get going; I have a concert to get to!