He credited his time as a high school quarterback with helping develop his arm strength.

[2] Florence was originally signed by the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent in October 1987,[1] and compiled a 28-40 record, with a 3.64 earned run average and 379 strikeouts over seven seasons in their farm system.

He signed with the Mets as a minor league free agent following the 1994 season, and after 47 innings pitched for the Norfolk Tides, in which he only allowed five earned runs, Florence received his first call up to the majors at the robust age of 28.

In his second game, he earned his first major league win against the Philadelphia Phillies[3] on his way to a perfect 3-0 record.

He made fourteen appearances out of the Mets' bullpen, and compiled an impressive 1.50 ERA, but never pitched another major league game after 1995.