Page "Joe Charboneau" Paragraph 8

Things did not improve for Charboneau in 1982: after only 22 games with the Indians, Joe and his. 214 average where shipped back to Charleston, then to AA Chattanooga again.

Playing in the same league he had torn apart three years earlier, he could only manage a dismal. 207 mark.

Joe endured another back surgery after the season, but seemingly nothing could allow him to regain his timing at the plate.

Finally, in 1983, when batting. 200 for AA Buffalo, Charboneau gave jeering fans an obscene gesture, leading to his quick release.

However, the Pittsburgh Pirates took a flyer on him in 1984, and he managed a. 289 average in the Carolina League ( though at 29, he was easily the oldest player in the loop ).

A shot with the Pirates AAA team in Hawaii ended after 15 games, and " Super Joe " retired from the game.

( Joe did make one more appearance in a baseball uniform that year, but only on celluloid: he was an extra in the film The Natural, playing one of Roy Hobbs ' teammates.