Gregg Olson

Last updated

Gregg Olson
Greg Olson (Pitcher).jpg
Olson with the Arizona Diamondbacks
Pitcher
Born: (1966-10-11) October 11, 1966 (age 57)
Scribner, Nebraska, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 2, 1988, for the Baltimore Orioles
Last MLB appearance
June 22, 2001, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Men's baseball
Representing Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Pan American Games
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1987 Indianapolis Team
World Junior Baseball Championship
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 1984 Saskatoon Team

Greggory William Olson (born October 11, 1966) is an American former professional baseball player, coach, scout and television sports commentator. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a right-handed pitcher from 1988 through 2001, most prominently as a member of the Baltimore Orioles where he established himself as one of the premier relief pitchers in the American League (AL). Olson was named the AL Rookie of the Year in 1989, his first full season in the major leagues and, the following season was named to his only American League All-Star team. He set an Orioles team record of 41 consecutive scoreless innings and, he holds the team record for career saves.

Contents

During Olson's major league tenure, he also played for the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2008, Olson was inducted into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame and, in 2021 he was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame. [1] [2]

High school and college

Olson attended Omaha Northwest High School in Omaha, Nebraska, where he was a pitcher. He was named to the ABCA High School All-America Baseball Team in 1985. [3] He led the Huskies to four straight state titles. His father, Bill Olson, was his high school coach. Olson appeared in Sports Illustrated 's "Faces In The Crowd" section for the 07-16-84 Vol 61, No. 3.[ citation needed ] In the state championship game of his senior year, Olson threw a no-hitter.[ citation needed ]

After graduating from high school in 1985, Olson attended Auburn University, where he played college baseball for the Auburn Tigers for three seasons.[ citation needed ]

Professional career

The Baltimore Orioles selected Olson in the first round, with the fourth pick, of the 1988 MLB draft, and he signed for a $200,000 signing bonus [4] before making his major league debut on September 2, 1988. A reliever, he threw what baseball historian Sheldon Stewart referred to as a "blazing fastball and devastating curve". [5]

In 1989, Olson became the first reliever to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award. Olson also set an American League rookie record with 27 saves, and had a 5–2 mark with a 1.69 earned run average (ERA) and 90 strikeouts in 85 innings.

Selected to the All-Star team in 1990, Olson set a club record of 37 saves during the season and collected 31 and 36 in the next two years. On July 13, 1991, Olson combined with 3 other Baltimore pitchers in a no-hitter against the Oakland Athletics. [6] In August 1993, Olson suffered a torn elbow ligament injury that sidelined him for the rest of the year. He finished with 29 saves and a career low 1.60 ERA, but Baltimore opted not to take a risk with him and signed Lee Smith as their new closer. Olson struggled with a succession of injuries over the next years, playing for seven different teams from 1994 to 1997.

Arizona Diamondbacks 1998 #30 Gregg Olson alternate jersey ARI1998A30OLSON.jpg
Arizona Diamondbacks 1998 #30 Gregg Olson alternate jersey

In 1998, Olson enjoyed a fruitful comeback with the expansion Arizona Diamondbacks. He set a franchise record of 30 saves (broken by Byung-hyun Kim in 2002) and was also part of a rare feat. On May 28, with Arizona leading the San Francisco Giants 8–5, Olson began the bottom of the ninth inning by striking out Darryl Hamilton, but the Giants then loaded the bases with two walks and a hit before Stan Javier had an RBI grounder that made it 8–6. After pinch-hitter J. T. Snow walked to load the bases, manager Buck Showalter ordered Olson to intentionally walk Barry Bonds, forcing home a run, and bringing up Brent Mayne, who worked the count full before he lined to right field for the third out. Olson put together one of the strangest saves imaginable, working around six walks in 1+1⁄3 innings. He threw 49 pitches (not counting the bases-loaded intentional walk) and only 22 of them were for strikes. Olson's only major-league hit was a home run during his last major-league at-bat, [7] on April 20, 1998. [8]

Olson was replaced by new closer Matt Mantei in 1999. He finished his career as a setup man for the Dodgers.

In a 14-year career, Olson compiled 217 saves with a 40–39 record, 588 strikeouts, and a 3.46 ERA in 672 innings pitched.

Post-playing career

On March 19, 2008, Olson was elected to the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame, and was inducted during a pre-game ceremony at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 9, 2008. [9] He is currently a scout for the San Diego Padres.

In 2016, Olson served as pitching coach to actress Kylie Bunbury, who played "Ginny Baker" on the scripted FOX television series Pitch . [10]

From 2017 to 2020 Olson was a color analyst for Orioles broadcasts on MASN. [11] He additionally covered a series for MASN in 2023 when the O's took on the Blue Jays May 19–21.

On March 29, 2021, Olson announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. [12] [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randy Johnson</span> American baseball player (born 1963)

Randall David Johnson, nicknamed "the Big Unit", is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (1988–2009) for six teams, primarily the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Martínez</span> Nicaraguan baseball player (born 1955)

José Dennis Martínez Ortiz, nicknamed "El Presidente", is a Nicaraguan former professional baseball pitcher. Martínez played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos, Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners, and Atlanta Braves from 1976 to 1998. He threw a perfect game in 1991, and was a four-time MLB All-Star. He was the first Nicaraguan to play in the majors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Dempsey</span> American baseball player (born 1949)

John Rikard Dempsey is an American former professional baseball player. He played for 24 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball from 1969 to 1992, most prominently for the Baltimore Orioles where he played for 10 years and was a member of the 1983 World Series winning team. Dempsey was known for being one of the best defensive catchers of his era. In 1997, he was inducted into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamie Moyer</span> American baseball pitcher (born 1962)

Jamie Moyer is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Over his 25-year career in Major League Baseball (MLB), Moyer pitched for the Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, and Colorado Rockies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Nagy</span> American baseball player (born 1967)

Charles Harrison Nagy is an American former Major League Baseball All-Star right-handed pitcher who played for 14 seasons in the major leagues from 1990 to 2003. He played for the Cleveland Indians and San Diego Padres. He served as the pitching coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2011 to 2013 and the Los Angeles Angels from 2016 to 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Flanagan (baseball)</span> American baseball player (1951-2011)

Michael Kendall Flanagan was an American professional baseball left-handed pitcher, front office executive, and color commentator. He spent 18 years as a player in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Baltimore Orioles and the Toronto Blue Jays (1987–1990).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Witt</span> American baseball player (born 1964)

Robert Andrew Witt Sr. is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Florida Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Cleveland Indians, and Arizona Diamondbacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">José Valverde</span> Dominican baseball pitcher (born 1978)

José Rafael Valverde is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, and New York Mets. He is nicknamed "Papa Grande."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Koplove</span> American baseball player (born 1976)

Michael Paul Koplove is an American professional baseball scout and former player. He pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Cleveland Indians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Stoddard</span> American baseball player

Timothy Paul Stoddard is an American former professional baseball pitcher. A right-handed pitcher, he played for six different teams in Major League Baseball between 1975 and 1989, and was a member of the 1983 Baltimore Orioles championship team. He is currently the pitching coach for the baseball team at North Central College. Stoddard is one of only two men to have played in both a World Series and a Final Four of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, along with fellow East Chicago Washington High School alumnus Kenny Lofton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Albers</span> American baseball player (born 1983)

Matthew James Albers is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Washington Nationals, and Milwaukee Brewers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dick Hall (baseball)</span> American baseball player (1930–2023)

Richard Wallace Hall was an American professional baseball player who appeared in 669 games over 19 seasons in Major League Baseball, first as an outfielder, then as a pitcher, from 1952 through 1957 and from 1959 through 1971. Hall is best known as a member of the Baltimore Orioles dynasty that won four American League pennants and two World Series championships between 1966 and 1971. He also played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Athletics and Philadelphia Phillies. The 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), 200 lb (91 kg) Hall batted and threw right-handed. He earned the nickname "Turkey" due to his unusual pitching motion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hal Brown</span> American baseball player (1924-2015)

Hector Harold Brown was an American professional baseball player and right-handed pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball from 1951 through 1964 for the Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees and Houston Colt .45s. Brown was a knuckleballer with outstanding control who worked as both a starting pitcher and as a relief pitcher. He played for all or portions of eight seasons (1955–1962) with the Orioles, posting a 62–48 won–lost record, and was inducted into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame in 1991. He was a veteran of the United States Army Air Forces who served in the European theatre of World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1983 Baltimore Orioles season</span> Major League Baseball season

The 1983 Baltimore Orioles won the Major League Baseball World Series after finishing first in the American League East with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses, The Orioles won the championship by beating the Philadelphia Philles, 4–1, in the 1983 World Series. The season was the Orioles' first in nearly 15 years without manager Earl Weaver, who retired after the Orioles missed the playoffs in the final game of the 1982 season. The Orioles replaced the future Hall of Famer Weaver with Joe Altobelli. The World Series victory was the Orioles' first championship since 1970 and their most recent to date.

Norman Stanley "Norm" Angelini was an American professional baseball player who played for two seasons in Major League Baseball. He pitched for the Kansas City Royals for 21 games during the 1972 season and seven games during the 1973 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeremy Hellickson</span> American baseball player (born 1987)

Jeremy Robert Hellickson is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays, Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, and Washington Nationals. Following the 2011 season, Hellickson was named American League Rookie of the Year. In Tampa Bay, Hellickson was nicknamed "Hellboy" by local fans and media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wade Miley</span> American baseball player (born 1986)

Wade Allen Miley is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago Cubs.

Thyago Vieira Lucio is a Brazilian professional baseball pitcher in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and Baltimore Orioles, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Davies</span> American baseball player (born 1993)

Zachary Ryan Davies is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, and Arizona Diamondbacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cole Sulser</span> American baseball player (born 1990)

Cole Young Sulser is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Baltimore Orioles, Miami Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks, and New York Mets. He made his MLB debut in 2019.

References

  1. ↑ "Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame at MLB.com". mlb.com. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Former Orioles Closer Gregg Olson: 'Huge Honor' To Be Inducted Into College Baseball HOF". pressboxonline.com. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Remsen St. Mary player wins All-American recognition". Sioux City Journal . October 24, 1985. p. 14. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  4. ↑ Dickson, Paul (1989). The Dickson Baseball Dictionary . United States: Facts on File. p.  66. ISBN   0816017417.
  5. ↑ "Gregg Olson Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac". Baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
  6. ↑ Smith, Claire (July 14, 1991). "Baseball; 1 Game / 4 Arms = Orioles No-Hitter". The New York Times . Retrieved August 25, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Home Run in Last At-Bat". Baseball Almanac . Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Arizona Diamondbacks 15, Florida Marlins 4". April 20, 1998. Retrieved April 13, 2024– via newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ Comak, Amanda (August 9, 2008). "Closer Olson enters O's Hall of Fame". MLB.com. Retrieved October 22, 2008.
  10. ↑ Koblin, John (September 16, 2016). "Fox and Major League Baseball Team Up for 'Pitch'". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  11. ↑ Ruiz, Nathan (January 25, 2021). "Orioles formalize reduced broadcast crew on MASN, radio: 'We're asking fans to embrace a lot of changes'". Baltimore Sun.
  12. ↑ @GreggOlson30 (March 29, 2021). "Hello Friends ( in best Jim Nantz voice). I found out last week that I have Prostate Cancer. I have surgery in 3 w…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ↑ Trezza, Joe (March 30, 2021). "O's HOF Olson reveals cancer diagnosis". MLB.com.
Preceded by No-hit game
July 13, 1991
with Milacki, Flanagan & Williamson 		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.