Pittsburgh Pirates
Grabow was called up by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2003,after having spent six years playing in the minor leagues. It was the most memorable moment of his life. [18]
Grabow appeared in 68 games in his first year with the Pirates,a team record for the number of appearances by a rookie left-hander. [19] Used both in short stints and long ones,Grabow said:"That stuff where there are guys in certain roles,yeah,there are some guys who have roles set,but I don't think I'm one of them. I just pitch when they tell me to. Whether it's one or two innings,or to one batter,it doesn't matter to me." [15]
On the light side,for his rookie hazing he had to wear a Tweety Bird backpack during batting practice and carrying all the snacks to the bullpen,go through an airport wearing a cheerleader outfit that was two sizes too small,and serve drinks on the plane. [18] [20]
In February 2005 Grabow signed a contract pursuant to which he would make $327,000 in the majors,but $240,000 if he pitched at Class AAA Indianapolis. [21] He was a workhorse in the Pittsburgh bullpen in 2005,appearing in 63 games in his second full major league season. He held opposing batters to a .186 batting average and a .186 slugging percentage when there were runners in scoring position. [22] He stranded a major-league best 89.7% of his inherited runners,allowing just 4 of 39 inherited runners to score. [23]
In 2006,he appeared in 72 games. He held opposing batters to a .217 batting average when there were runners in scoring position. Grabow stranded 82.5% of the runners he inherited,the best in the National League. [24]
In February 2007,Grabow and the Pirates avoided arbitration,and agreed to a 1-year contract for $832,500. Grabow was also in a position to make $10,000 to $70,000 in incentive bonuses if he finished 20–35 games,but was not able to cash in as he only finished 14 games. He was also in a position to make an additional $10,000 to $45,000 in incentive bonuses if he made 75–85 appearances,but again was not able to cash in as he made only 63 appearances. [25]
Grabow was 3–2 with the Pirates,with a 4.53 ERA. He had held batters to a .215 batting average and a .231 slugging percentage with runners in scoring position,while leading the team by only allowing 5.3% of batters he faced to get extra base hits.
Grabow initially planned to have minor surgery after the 2007 season to remove bone chips in his left elbow. [26] But after receiving a cortisone shot in August,he changed his mind. "I've been symptom-free for the past few weeks",Grabow said. "I want to see what my options are. I don't think I'll really need to have surgery. Maybe I can manage it,and pitch through it." [27] He had his left elbow examined by Los Angeles Angels orthopedist Lewis Yocum,who suggested that rest would be an effective alternative to arthroscopic surgery. [28] [29] Grabow then decided against surgery,and instead followed a program of rest and rehabilitation, [30] extending his period of rest from three to eight weeks,and concentrating his workouts more on strengthening his legs and shoulders. [31]
Grabow earned $1.135 million in 2008. He also had the potential to earn an additional $75,000 based on appearances. [32]
In 2008,he had the third-lowest ERA of all NL left-handed relievers (2.84),and stranded all but 8 of his 33 inherited runners (76%). [33] Batters hit only .215 against him (and only .146 with runners in scoring position),and he struck out a team-best 19.3% of all batters he faced,while leading the team by only allowing 5.6% of batters he faced to get extra base hits. He also pitched in 74 games,four short of the record for left-handed pitchers,set by Scott Sauerbeck in 2002. [1]
Grabow edged Minnesota's Craig Breslow for the 2008 Barney Pelty Award for Jewish Pitcher of the Year. [34]
Grabow agreed to a one-year deal for $2.3 million,with an additional $75,000 possible in incentives,in early January. [35] Despite Grabow being eligible to become a free agent at the end of the season,the Pirates did not engage in contract talks beyond 2008. [36]
Grabow accepted an invitation to play for Team USA in 2009 in the second World Baseball Classic. [37] He was the first member of the Pirates to represent the US in the WBC. "It's just a thrill,a real honor",he said. "When I got the call,I couldn't believe it. Hopefully,I can help them win some games." [37] He tied for the WBC lead in games pitched (with six),and had a 2.08 ERA,helping Team USA reach the semi-finals. [38]
On July 20 Grabow became the all-time appearances leader at PNC Park with his 189th,and was tied for ninth all-time on the Pirates' appearance list (385) with Rip Sewell.
In July 2009 the New York Yankees,Minnesota Twins,Florida Marlins,and Los Angeles Dodgers had all expressed interest in trading for Grabow. [39] [40] Asked about the possibility of the Pirates trading him,Grabow,failing to stifle a grin,responded "I'm untouchable,dude. No way they're trading me." [41] On July 30,Grabow was traded to the Chicago Cubs along with fellow left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny for right-handed pitchers Kevin Hart and JoséAscanio and minor league third baseman Josh Harrison. [42]
