Spencer Clough, pictured here after Atlantic City officials had to explain to him what a trade was and how it worked for the third time
The Las Vegas Hustlers and Atlantic City Gamblers got together on a quick deal today that solidifies one of the Hustlers remaining needs: backup catcher.
Las Vegas acquired Spencer Clough from the Gamblers in exchange for utility player Jibril Qasim.
Ironically, Clough was originally a draft pick of the Hustlers. Las Vegas drafted him with their 12th round pick in the 2048 draft but he couldn't stick with the organization and was released four days after being drafted. He signed with Chicago shortly thereafter and began his ascent to the big leagues. Released by the Black Sox organization the next July, he signed with the Nashville organization and finally started getting playing time. He spent the whole 2053 season in the BBA as Nashville's backup catcher, then split 2054 between the Bluebirds and their High Point (AA) affiliate. The Bluebirds traded him to Atlantic City at the outset of the 2054-55 offseason. He'd split 2055 between Atlantic City and their Wilmington (AAA) affiliate before spending the whole of the 2056-2057 seasons as the Gamblers backup/part-time catcher.
What does the 27 year old Clough bring to the Hustlers? "A left-handed bat with some pop, and he won't kill you behind the plate," said Las Vegas manager Henry Rectenberg.
Rectenberg didn't address Clough's shortcomings. An unnamed Atlantic City source referred to him as "dumber than a box of rocks, lazier than anyone I've ever seen, generally dismissive of the concept of loyalty to a team, and certainly not even close to a popular teammate." Yikes.