Mike Sharperson. Image from The Las Vegas 51s. Las Vegas Sun.
(1961-1996) Sharperson was born in Orangeburg, S.C. the son of Ethel and Mike Sharperson, Sr. Sharperson graduated from Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School and attend DeKalb Junior College (now named Georgia Perimeter College).
Sharperson debuted with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1987 and was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in midseason where he played various positions.
In 1990, Sharperson hit .297 with career-highs in hits. His most productive season came in 1992, when he hit .300 with 21 doubles and 48 runs (all career-highs), and made the National League All-Star team. Released by the Dodgers before the 1994 season, Sharperson signed with the Red Sox, then with the Cubs, but did not play for them. He appeared in seven games with the Atlanta Braves in 1995 and became a free agent at the end of the season. He then signed with the San Diego Padres.
Sharperson was killed in an automobile accident when he missed his exit and attempted to swerve onto the exit. He lost control of his vehicle in the rain and crashed. Sharperson was not wearing his seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle through the sun roof. Sharperson was 34 years old.
