Jeff Nelson (pitcher)

Last updated

54+1⁄3innings. Among hitters whom he dominated most were Troy Glaus, who in 14 at-bats was hitless with 11 strikeouts. [2]

Nelson had three stints with the Seattle Mariners (1992–1995, 2001–2003 and again in 2005). He is Seattle's all-time record holder for most games pitched (383), and has a 23–20 record with the Mariners. Nelson is currently a television color analyst for the Miami Marlins and New York Yankees.

Early life and career

Nelson grew up in Maryland and played baseball and basketball at Catonsville High School. [3]

Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 22nd round of the 1984 MLB draft, he signed on June 21, 1984. In 1986, he was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. [4]

Major league career

Nelson made his major league debut with the Mariners on April 16, 1992, against the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park. He pitched two scoreless innings of relief. [5]

On July 13, 1995, Nelson entered a game against the Toronto Blue Jays with two runners on base and no outs. Nelson threw one pitch to Sandy Martínez and induced a ground ball triple play. [6] He became the first pitcher in the era for which pitch count data is available to throw only one pitch in an outing and be credited with pitching a full inning. [7]

In December 1995, the Mariners traded Nelson, Tino Martinez, and Jim Mecir to the New York Yankees for Russ Davis and Sterling Hitchcock. [8] With the Yankees, Nelson was a member of the World Series champions in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000. [9]

Nelson returned to Seattle as a free agent in 2001. In that season he made the American League All-Star team. Nelson's All-Star selection was considered an innovative move by AL manager Joe Torre, as Nelson's role of middle relief was traditionally overlooked during All-Star selection. [10]

From 2001 to 2003, he formed the right side of Seattle's potent lefty/righty setup squad along with left-handed pitcher Arthur Rhodes. In 2001, he held opposing batters to a .136 batting average and a .199 slugging percentage, and .074/.110 once he had two strikes on them. [11]

On August 6, 2003, the Mariners traded Nelson to the Yankees for Armando Benitez. [12] The Yankees lost to the Florida Marlins in the World Series and once again Nelson left the Yankees.

In 2004, Nelson appeared in 29 games for the Texas Rangers, going 1–2 with a 5.32 ERA. He was on the disabled list twice with an assortment of injuries to his right knee and right elbow.

Nelson pitching for the Mariners in 2005 Jeff Nelson1.jpg
Nelson pitching for the Mariners in 2005

Before the 2005 season, the Seattle Mariners signed Nelson to a minor league contract, his third stint with the club.

In the 2006 offseason, Nelson signed a minor-league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, but was released before the season began. He was then picked up by the White Sox.

Surgery

On June 8, 2006, Nelson announced that he would undergo surgery, to relieve a nerve in his right elbow, that was likely to mark the end of Nelson's active baseball career. Following the operation on his pitching elbow, on May 10, 2007, there was controversy when he tried to sell bone chips from his elbow, removed in the operation, on eBay who cancelled the auction. Nelson, whose daughters attended The Bear Creek School, were going to give half the proceeds to the school and half to the Curtis Williams Foundation. [13]

Nelson signed a minor league contract with the Yankees in January 2007 so that he could officially retire as a Yankee. [9]

Pitching

Nelson was a respected slider specialist, much more effective against right-handed batters than against lefties (who batted 55 points higher, and slugged 106 points higher, against him than did righties). He was also known for his three-quarters sidearm delivery, and threw a cut 90-mile per hour fastball as well. During his Yankees tenure, he was known for faking a throw to third base and then throwing to first base in an attempt to pick off the baserunner. Until the rule was changed in 2013, making a fake throw to third base a balk, [14] this was referred to as "the old Jeff Nelson" by Yankees play-by-play broadcaster Michael Kay. [15]

Broadcasting

Nelson has filled in on sports radio KJR-AM in Seattle and also worked as an analyst for MLB.com during the 2010 post-season.

In 2016, Nelson joined Fox Sports' pre-game broadcast team for Miami Marlins. [16] In 2019, Nelson served as a game analyst for the YES Network, calling occasional games for his former team. On July 12, 2019, Nelson began appearing on the YES Network's pregame show.[ citation needed ] He substituted for Suzyn Waldman on WFAN broadcasts of the final games of the Yankees regular season in October 2022, working with John Sterling. [17]

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">Dámaso Marte</span> Dominican baseball player (born 1975)

Dámaso Marte Saviñón is a Dominican former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played for the Seattle Mariners (1999), Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox (2002–2005), and New York Yankees (2008–2011).

<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">David Aardsma</span> American baseball player (born 1981)

David Allan Aardsma is an American former professional baseball pitcher, currently serving in the Toronto Blue Jays front office as a coordinator of player development. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2004 to 2015 for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Atlanta Braves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Corsi (baseball)</span> American baseball player (1961–2022)

James Bernard Corsi was an American baseball pitcher who played ten seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Oakland Athletics, Houston Astros, Florida Marlins, Boston Red Sox, and Baltimore Orioles from 1988 to 1999.

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

Jason Matthew Vargas is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida Marlins, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. The Marlins drafted Vargas in the second round of the 2004 MLB draft. He made his major league debut in 2005. In 2017, he was an All Star and tied for the American League lead in wins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Green (baseball)</span> American baseball player (born 1978)

Nicholas Anthony Green is an American former professional baseball infielder. He played eight seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) between 2004 and 2013 for the Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Miami Marlins. He played in the International Baseball League of Australia before his MLB debut in 2004. Since 2015, he has worked as an analyst on the Braves Live! post-game show, which follows Atlanta Braves games on Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miguel Olivo</span> Dominican baseball player (born 1978)

Miguel Eduardo Olivo Peña is a Dominican former professional baseball player. He played as a catcher for several teams in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2002 to 2014. He also played in the Mexican League from 2014 to 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Andino</span> American baseball player (born 1984)

Robert Lazaro Andino is a Cuban-American former professional baseball infielder. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Florida/Miami Marlins, and Seattle Mariners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Wilson (baseball)</span> American baseball player (born 1981)

Joshua Aaron Wilson is an American former professional baseball infielder. Wilson is a Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania native. He was part of the 1998 Pennsylvania state championship baseball team and Pennsylvania Player of the Year. Wilson played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida Marlins, Washington Nationals, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roy Thomas (pitcher)</span> American baseball player

Roy Justin Thomas is an American former professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played for the Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals and Seattle Mariners in all or parts of eight seasons spanning 1977–1987. Listed at 6' 5" and 215 pounds, Thomas batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Quantico, Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Beattie (baseball)</span> American baseball player (born 1954)

James Louis Beattie is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played for the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners from 1978 to 1986. He also served as the Montreal Expos' general manager from 1995 to 2001, and was the Baltimore Orioles' general manager with Mike Flanagan from 2003 to 2005. As of 2010, Beattie served as a professional scout in the Toronto Blue Jays organization through the 2018 season. Beattie retired from his decades-long career in MLB at the end of the 2018 season. Beattie starred in baseball and basketball at South Portland High School in South Portland, Maine.

Jhonny J. Núñez is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball during the 2009 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pat Venditte</span> American baseball player (born 1985)

Patrick Michael Venditte Jr. is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and Miami Marlins. After attending Creighton University, Venditte was drafted by the New York Yankees in 2008. He signed with the Athletics as a free agent before the 2015 season and made his MLB debut that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wade LeBlanc</span> American baseball player (born 1984)

Wade Matthew LeBlanc is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Saitama Seibu Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Héctor Noesí</span> Dominican baseball player (born 1987)

Héctor Noesí is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, and Miami Marlins and in the KBO League for the Kia Tigers. Noesí throws and bats right-handed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carson Smith (baseball)</span> American baseball player (born 1989)

Carson Donald Smith is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox. Listed at 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm) and 215 pounds, he both bats and throws right-handed.

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

Evan Patrick Marshall is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luis Arráez</span> Venezuelan baseball player (born 1997)

Luis Sangel Arráez is a Venezuelan professional baseball infielder for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Minnesota Twins and Miami Marlins. Arráez represents the Venezuelan national team in international competitions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaleb Ort</span> American baseball player (born 1992)

Kaleb James Ort is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Boston Red Sox. Listed at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 240 pounds (110 kg), he throws and bats right-handed.

References

  1. ↑ "Former Yankee Jeff Nelson retires". New York Yankees. Retrieved February 10, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Jeff Nelson vs. Batters - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 10, 2016.
  3. ↑ Ritchie, Jabari (January 28, 2003). "Whole new ballgame: Jeff Nelson trying his hand at coaching basketball". Seattle Times . Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Jeff Nelson Trades and Transactions by Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Seattle Mariners at Chicago White Sox Box Score, April 16, 1992". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference . Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Toronto Blue Jays at Seattle Mariners Box Score, July 13, 1995". Baseball-Reference.com . Sports Reference . Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Pitching Game Finder". Stathead.com. Sports Reference . Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  8. ↑ "BASEBALL;Yanks Get Martinez For Davis, Hitchcock". The New York Times. December 8, 1995. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  9. 1 2 Kepner, Tyler (January 13, 2007). "Nelson Gets His Wish and Retires as a Yankee". The New York Times.
  10. ↑ Andersen, Dave (July 8, 2001). "Sports of The Times; Throwback Reliever an Unusual All-Star". The New York Times. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Jeff Nelson 2001 Pitching Splits - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2016.
  12. ↑ "That didn't last long: Benitez shipped to Mariners". August 6, 2003.
  13. ↑ "Body parts not allowed to be listed on eBay", Darren Rovell, ESPN, May 15, 2007
  14. ↑ Kepner, Tyler (January 26, 2013). "Rule Change Eliminates a Fake Pickoff". The New York Times. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  15. ↑ DeLessio, Joe (August 22, 2011). "A Look at Jeff Nelson's Trademark Pick-off Move -- The Sports Section". New York . Retrieved February 10, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Jeff Nelson joins FOX Sports Florida as Marlins LIVE analyst".
  17. ↑ "WFAN Reportedly Considering 1 Name to Replace Yankees Legend John Sterling". November 29, 2023.
Jeff Nelson
Jeff Nelson Qatar.jpg
Pitcher
Born: (1966-11-17) November 17, 1966 (age 57)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 16, 1992, for the Seattle Mariners
Last MLB appearance
June 2, 2006, for the Chicago White Sox
Manager 6 Joe Torre
Third Base Coach 30 Willie Randolph
Pitching Coach 34 Mel Stottlemyre
Bullpen Coach 40 Tony Cloninger
Bench Coach 48 Don Zimmer
Hitting Coach 49 Chris Chambliss
First Base Coach 53 José Cardenal
Bullpen Catcher Rudy Árias
Bullpen Catcher Mike Borzello
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.