Jeff Zimmerman

Last updated

2⁄3IP in 196 games.

In the 2001 offseason, the Rangers signed Zimmerman to a three-year contract worth over $10 million. Before the start of the season, Zimmerman suffered a series of injuries that prevented him from throwing another pitch in MLB beginning with a spring training injury and continuing through three major surgeries on his elbow, including two Tommy John surgeries. He did pitch in a handful of minor league and Arizona League games, but never close to a full season and never at the major league level. Following the end of this contract, which covered 2002 through 2004, the Rangers reinvested in Zimmerman with a minor league contract for the 2005 season. Again Zimmerman suffered injuries that prevented his return to the field of play for the course of the entire season.

Zimmerman elected to take the 2006 season off in hopes that his arm would naturally heal over the course of the season. T. R. Sullivan, the Rangers' beat writer on MLB.com, called this decision "his last, best hope" for returning to playing baseball. [2] Having not competed in a game since 2003, Zimmerman retired in 2006 and moved back to Vancouver, British Columbia. [1] In 2008, The Sports Network listed Zimmerman as retired and gives his career potential as, "After four years out with injuries, he may be done."

On January 18, 2006 Lone Star Ball, a Texas Rangers blog, named Zimmerman 46 on "The 50 Greatest Rangers of All Time" list. [3]

Seattle Mariners

On April 7, 2009, Zimmerman came out of retirement, signing a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners. [4] He spent the first several weeks of the season in extended spring training. [1]

Zimmerman, who had been plagued with injuries for most of his career, said this about his baseball abilities after sitting out for so long:

Right away I was able to throw a baseball without any discomfort at all, I sometimes find it hard to believe that after all that time, I was completely healthy again. I threw the ball in January and I had no trouble getting it into the high eighties. [5]

Zimmerman appeared in one game for the Arizona League Mariners, pitching two innings and giving up one run. It was his last appearance in professional baseball.

Personal

Zimmerman was born in Kelowna, British Columbia. He attended Texas Christian University. Jeff's brother, Jordan Zimmerman, also played in the major leagues as a pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. Jeff recorded a victory against his brother on July 2, 1999. [6]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Caple, Jim (April 30, 2009). "Former All-Star Zimmerman dreams again of majors". ESPN Page 2. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  2. ↑ Sullivan, T.R. (February 27, 2006). "Mailbag: Teixeira to stay in third spot?". MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2008.
  3. ↑ Morris, Adam J. (January 18, 2006). "#46 -- The 50 Greatest Rangers of All Time -- Jeff Zimmerman". Lone Star Ball. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Mariners sign RHP Jeff Zimmerman to Minor League contract". MLB.com. June 19, 2012. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012.
  5. ↑ Taylor, Scott (April 9, 2009). "After Nearly Eight Years, Jeff Zimmerman is Back in Baseball: Signs With Mariners". River City Sports Blog. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Rangers continue streak, defeat Mariners 7-6". Corpus Christi Caller Times. Associated Press. July 3, 1999. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012.
Jeff Zimmerman
Pitcher
Born: (1972-08-09) August 9, 1972 (age 52)
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 13, 1999, for the Texas Rangers
Last MLB appearance
October 7, 2001, for the Texas Rangers
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