Cup of coffee facts for kids

A cup of coffee is a fun way to describe when a minor league sports player gets to play for a very short time in the major league. It means they get a brief chance to show their skills at the highest level of their sport, usually in North America.

What is a "Cup of Coffee"?

Imagine you're a talented athlete playing for a team that's not quite at the top level. This is called the minor league. You work hard, hoping to one day play for the best teams, known as the major league. Sometimes, a major league team might need a player for just a few games or even just one game. This could be because of injuries to other players or a special situation. When a minor league player gets called up for this very short time, it's called getting a "cup of coffee."

It's like they're quickly visiting the major league, having a quick drink, and then heading back to the minor league. It's a taste of the big time, but often not a permanent stay.

Why is it called that?

The phrase "cup of coffee" suggests something quick and temporary. You don't usually spend a long time drinking a cup of coffee. In sports, it means a player's time in the major league was short, perhaps just a few days or even a single game. It's a brief experience, but it can be a very exciting one for the player!

Famous "Cup of Coffee" Players

Many players have had a "cup of coffee" in their careers. For some, it's their only time in the major leagues. For others, it's just the beginning before they return later for a longer, more successful career.

Joe Nuxhall: A Young Start

One famous example is Joe Nuxhall. He was a baseball pitcher who made his major league debut at an incredibly young age. In 1944, when he was just 15 years old, he played for the Cincinnati Reds. This was his "cup of coffee" moment. He later returned to have a long and successful career in baseball.

Moonlight Graham: A Movie Star

Another well-known "cup of coffee" story belongs to Moonlight Graham. He was an outfielder who played one game for the New York Giants in 1905. He never got to bat in that game. His brief time in the major leagues became famous because of the movie Field of Dreams. The movie helped tell his unique story of a very short but memorable major league career.

Tyler Weiman: A Goalie's Moment

It's not just baseball players who have "cups of coffee." In ice hockey, goaltender Tyler Weiman had his moment with the Colorado Avalanche during the 2007–08 season. He played for about 16 minutes in one game. Even though it was a short time, it was still his chance to play at the highest level of professional hockey.

Images for kids

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  Baseball pitcher Joe Nuxhall made his debut at age 15 via a cup of coffee with the 1944 Cincinnati Reds.

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  Outfielder Moonlight Graham's cup of coffee with the 1905 New York Giants was made famous by Field of Dreams.

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  Goaltender Tyler Weiman's cup-of-coffee with the 2007–08 Colorado Avalanche included 16 minutes of playing time.