Kris Benson

Last updated

Kris Benson
IMG 1934a Kris Benson.jpg
Benson pitching for the Orioles in 2006
Pitcher
Born: (1974-11-07) November 7, 1974 (age 49)
Superior, Wisconsin, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 9, 1999, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Last MLB appearance
April 28, 2010, for the Arizona Diamondbacks
Men's baseball
Representing Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Olympic Games
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1996 Atlanta Team

Kristin James Benson (born November 7, 1974) is an American former Major League Baseball starting pitcher who played for several teams between 1999 and 2010.

Contents

A highly touted prospect, Benson was drafted first overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1996. He followed a strong rookie season in 1999 with an even stronger season in 2000, but those would prove to be the two best seasons of his career, as he underwent Tommy John surgery after the 2000 season. He posted three more good seasons from 2004 to 2006 with the Pirates, the New York Mets, and the Baltimore Orioles, but then underwent rotator cuff surgery, after which he was never again an effective Major League pitcher.

High school

Benson was born in Superior, Wisconsin. His parents were baseball fans who chose names for each of their children that began with "K," a nod to the letter used as the scorecard designation for a strikeout. [1] Benson attended Sprayberry High School in Marietta, Georgia with future MLB All-Star Marlon Byrd.

College

Benson attended Clemson University from 1993 to 1996. His teammates included fellow future major-leaguers Billy Koch and Matthew LeCroy both of whom played with him in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. (Koch reported teammates referred to Benson as "The Messiah".)[ citation needed ] In 1994, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Hyannis Mets of the Cape Cod Baseball League. [2] Benson went undefeated during the regular season of his junior year (14–0 with a 1.40 ERA) with 178 strikeouts in 142 innings pitched. [3]

Following this strong regular season, Benson led the Tigers to the NCAA postseason. Though he pitched only one game in the Atlantic regional playoffs, the Tigers' ace earned all-tournament recognition with an outing in which he allowed only one hit, struck out eight, and walked but one batter. [4] The victorious Tigers, starring Benson, Koch, outfielder and Regional MVP Jerome Robinson, and all-tournament outfielder Gary Burnham, entered the 1996 College World Series on a three-year streak of number-one regional seeds. [4] The presence of Benson, the expected number one selection in the 1996 MLB amateur draft [3] (held that year on the same week as the CWS) helped draw additional attention to the spring series, transforming it into what one then-Clemson sports information official remembered as the "Media World Series." [5] (Benson was, in fact, drafted by the Pirates during the team's trip to Omaha. [6] ) Despite his stellar regular season, Benson subsequently dropped two postseason decisions as the Tigers stumbled to a 2-2 CWS record. Nonetheless, the team's two victories ended an eight-game CWS losing streak for Clemson and included a win over top-ranked Alabama. [7]

Subsequently, Benson was named College Baseball's Player of the Year, only the second (after fellow future major leaguer and Olympian Ben McDonald) to be so honored on the strength of his pitching alone. [3] As a Tiger, he won the Baseball America Player of the Year, and ACC Player of the Year. The pitcher also became only the second baseball player and first Clemson athlete in any sport to be named the ACC Male Athlete of the Year. [8] Other awards for his collegiate career include the Rotary Smith Award and ABCA Player of the Year, and recognition as unanimous consensus first-team All-American.[ citation needed ] He was also the recipient of the Dick Howser Trophy for his "performance, character, leadership, and courage". [9] He has also been inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame in 2005 and the South Carolina Amateur Hall of Fame. In 2003, he was named to the ACC's 50-Year Anniversary baseball team. [8] A marketing student, Benson left Clemson prior to receiving his degree. [10]

Olympics

In the 1996 Olympics, Benson had 17 strikeouts in as many innings and a 2–1 record, but with a 5.82 ERA.[ citation needed ] Benson beat Nicaragua to open up the games and then Japan, but it was his single loss (11–2 to eventual silver medalist Japan) which proved costly. Benson lasted only four innings and surrendered five runs, and the bullpen gave up another six, en route to an 11–2 bludgeoning that kept the Americans from advancing to the gold medal game. [11] (Ultimately, the U.S. settled for a bronze medal, though this represented an improvement over the squad's failure to medal in 1992.)

Professional baseball

Benson was the first pick of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft. [12] After being signed for what was a then-record signing bonus, [10] he spent two years in the minor leagues with the Lynchburg Hillcats and Carolina Mudcats in 1997, and the Nashville Sounds in 1998. Benson made his first major league start on April 9, 1999. He became just the second number one overall pick to win his big league debut. His first strikeout was Sammy Sosa. Benson came in fourth place in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. He came up just shy of breaking the record for most strikeouts in team history by a rookie hurler. His best season came in 2000 with Pittsburgh when he posted career-highs in earned run average, strikeouts, innings pitched, and games pitched as well as his only double-digit strikeout games and his career-best three-hit complete game despite the fact that he is a groundball pitcher. That year, Benson broke the record for most strikeouts in Pirates history for a right-handed pitcher. After 2000, he needed Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2001 season. He started the last game at Three Rivers Stadium and the first game ever at Great American Ballpark. Against the Mets, he broke the record for most sacrifice bunts in a game by a pitcher in MLB history with four.

On July 30, 2004, The Pirates traded him and Jeff Keppinger to The New York Mets for Jose Bautista, Ty Wigginton and Matt Peterson. During that period, Benson put together a string of 70 consecutive innings without surrendering a home run. He was awarded the Mets Best Pitcher during the month of September that year with a 0.76 ERA. He beat Randy Johnson twice in the inter league Subway Series, throwing 12 innings of shutout baseball against the Yankees.

On January 21, 2006, Benson was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for pitchers Jorge Julio and John Maine. Some speculated that the pitcher had been ushered out of town partly as an excuse for the Mets to part ways with his wife, outspoken model Anna Benson, who had "perturbed team officials with her risqué wardrobe and provocative comments." [13] [14] Kris Benson also felt that the Mets had traded him because of his wife, [15] a position disputed by Mets management. [16] The newly minted Oriole beat the Mets that season in interleague play. During the game, he hit his first professional home run off All-Star and Cy Young Award-winner Pedro Martínez.

Benson missed the entire 2007 season with a torn rotator cuff. [17] Steve Trachsel replaced Benson in their starting rotation before being traded to the Chicago Cubs for minor league players. On November 1, 2007, the Orioles declined to pick up his $7.5 million option and instead paid a $500,000 buyout.

On February 13, 2008, the Philadelphia Phillies signed Benson to a minor league deal. [18] On June 29, 2008, after two years away from competitive baseball, Benson made his Triple-A debut for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, throwing 73 pitches. [19] He played 11 games for the IronPigs, but was 1–4 with a 5.52 ERA. However, after two rough initial outings, he went 1–2 with a 3.80 ERA over his remaining 9 starts. He was released on August 30, 2008.

On February 21, 2009, Benson signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Texas Rangers. [20] Benson made the Opening Day 25 man roster as one of the Rangers' starting pitchers, but after a short stint on the disabled list, he was relegated to the bullpen in long relief. Benson had made over 200 consecutive starts before the move to the bullpen. After proving ineffective as a sporadic reliever upon his return, he was outrighted to the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate, the Oklahoma City RedHawks, on June 9, 2009. [21]

On March 15, 2010, Benson signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. [22] On April 15, it was announced that Benson would be the fifth starter for Arizona. He had two effective starts when he first got called up, but injured his shoulder again during his third start against the Colorado Rockies. He also pitched for the Diamondbacks Triple-A affiliate in Reno, Nevada, the Reno Aces.

Before his injury Kris threw regularly in the 93-96 mph range, and, he said, “I think I maxed out at 98. After surgery, I topped out at 90.” [23]

Benson retired on January 10, 2011. [24] He finished his 10-year career with a 70–75 record in 200 starts (206 appearances) and 61 no-decisions.

Personal life

Benson lived in Superior, WI until age 6, before he moved with his family to Milledgeville, GA. In 1988, Benson then moved to Kennesaw, GA. He has two younger sisters and one younger brother.

In 1998, while playing with the Nashville Sounds in the minor leagues, he met his future wife, Anna Benson while she was working as a dancer in a local strip club. [25] The Bensons were married in October 1999 (her second marriage, his first), the same year he reached the major leagues. The pitcher and model became a well-known baseball couple during Benson's time in the major leagues. After Anna reported the couple had sex in the parking lot of Three Rivers Stadium, an experience they wished to replicate at every major league park, concern developed within the Pirates organization the "wild-eyed brunette was getting in the way of her husband's fastball...." [25] Her husband dismissed the Pirates treatment of his wife as "a lot of jealousy and a lot of pettiness...."' [25] Anna filed for divorce on March 31, 2006, citing an "irretrievably broken" marriage., [26] although later withdrew the petition. [13] They had three children together (daughter Haylee, and sons P.J. and Devin James) and were also parenting Anna Benson's daughter from her first marriage (Alyssa Warren). In July 2012, Kris filed for divorce, which was finalized later that year. [27] On July 7, 2013, Anna was arrested for attacking Kris after breaking into his house. She was convicted on charges of aggravated assault and gun possession for the attack and sentenced to 15 years probation and three months of inpatient psychiatric therapy. [28] In May 2022, Kris married Misty Martinez, former wife of his former teammate Hank Blalock. [29]

Benson, who earned over $38 million during his playing career, [30] has supported several charities since beginning his professional career. (In an interview on The Howard Stern Show Anna Benson explained that at least one of her husband's contracts had been structured with charitable contributions so that this income could not be taxed. [31] ) In 2001, after 9/11, the couple founded the non-profit organization Benson's Battalion, whose work then-Rep. Melissa Hart praised in a citation to the Congressional Record in 2004. The Battalion raised funds for emergency services in the wake of 9/11. They also made considerable contributions to the Red Cross and United Way for 9/11 relief. In 2005, Benson assisted in a new charity, while with the New York Mets, called Tuesday's Children. The charity helped children who lost a parent during the Twin Tower collapses. [32] In recognition of various community service and charity efforts, Benson has been honored with the Pittsburgh Pirates team Roberto Clemente Award, the Thurman Munson Award, the Joan Payson Award, and the New Jersey Sports Writers Humanitarian of the Year Award.

The son of a school teacher and college dean, [25] Benson had been described as studious and methodical in his approach to pitching, [33] personally reserved, [25] and, in comparison to his ex-wife, strait-laced and stoic. [34]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nolan Ryan</span> American baseball player (born 1947)

Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr., nicknamed "the Ryan Express", is an American former professional baseball pitcher and sports executive. Over a record 27-year playing career in Major League Baseball (MLB), Ryan pitched for the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers. After his retirement in 1993, Ryan served as chief executive officer (CEO) of the Texas Rangers and an executive advisor to the Houston Astros. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest MLB pitchers of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chan Ho Park</span> South Korean baseball player (born 1973)

Chan Ho Park is a South Korean former professional baseball pitcher. Park was the first South Korea-born player in MLB history, and the first South Korean player to be named an MLB All-Star. He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB), the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), and the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO League. As of 2023, he has the most career wins of any Asia-born pitcher in history (124), having passed Hideo Nomo for that distinction in 2010. During his playing days, Park stood 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall, weighing 210 pounds (95 kg).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Óliver Pérez</span> Mexican baseball player (born 1981)

Óliver Pérez Martínez is a Mexican former professional baseball pitcher. He played 20 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Houston Astros, Washington Nationals, and Cleveland Indians. He competed for the Mexico national baseball team in the 2006, 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2023 World Baseball Classic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Duke</span> American baseball pitcher (born 1983)

Zachary Thomas Duke is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, Seattle Mariners, and Cincinnati Reds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francisco Liriano</span> Dominican baseball pitcher (born 1983)

Francisco Liriano Casillas is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros, and Detroit Tigers. Liriano was an MLB All-Star in 2006, and is a two-time winner of the MLB Comeback Player of the Year Award; he is the only player to win the award in both leagues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R. A. Dickey</span> American baseball pitcher (born 1974)

Robert Allen Dickey is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves.

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

Gerrit Alan Cole is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros. Cole played for the baseball team at Orange Lutheran High School and was selected by the Yankees in the first round of the 2008 MLB Draft. Cole opted not to sign and instead attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he played college baseball for the UCLA Bruins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zack Thornton</span> American baseball player & coach

Zachary James Thornton is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He is currently the pitching coach for the UC Davis Aggies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vic Black</span> American professional baseball pitcher

Victor Laurence Black is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">José Quintana</span> Colombian baseball player (born 1989)

José Guillermo Quintana is a Colombian-American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals.

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

Justin James Wilson is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs and New York Mets. Prior to his professional career, Wilson played college baseball for the Fresno State Bulldogs, where he was a member of the 2008 College World Series champions.

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

Kyle Daniel Crick is an American professional baseball pitcher in the New York Mets organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox.

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

Nicholas Paul Tropeano is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, and New York Mets. Tropeano played college baseball for the Stony Brook Seawolves, and was drafted in the fifth round of the 2011 MLB draft by the Astros.

John Stephen Holdzkom is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2014.

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

Jerad Joseph Eickhoff is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates. Eickhoff was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 15th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. In July 2015, the Rangers traded him to the Phillies, with whom he made his big league debut in 2015.

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

Joseph Anthony Musgrove is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackson Kowar</span> American baseball player (born 1996)

Jackson Alexander Kowar is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Kansas City Royals.

Zachary Ryan Thompson is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 5th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.

William Ross Bednar is an American professional baseball pitcher in the San Francisco Giants organization. He played college baseball for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Adam Samuel Oller is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Oakland Athletics. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 20th round of the 2016 MLB draft.

References

  1. ↑ Ross, Lillian. (January 7, 2009) The Home Team: Thy Pitcher’s Wife. The New Yorker. Retrieved on 2011-03-12.
  2. ↑ "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 "CLEMSON'S BENSON NAMED COLLEGE PLAYER OF YEAR". Chicago Tribune. May 31, 1996.
  4. 1 2 "Clemson University Official Athletic Site - Baseball". Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Kris Benson And Billy Koch Were The Media's Center Of Attention In 1996 CWS - The Official Athletic Site of the Atlantic Coast Conference". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  6. ↑ 1996 College World Series Memories - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
  7. ↑ "1996 College World Series Memories - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE". clemsontigers.cstv.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011.
  8. 1 2 Player Bio: Kris Benson - Clemson University Official Athletic Site
  9. ↑ NCBWA > Awards > Dick Howser Trophy Archived November 26, 2010, at the Wayback Machine . Sportswriters.net. Retrieved on March 12, 2011.
  10. 1 2 "Pirates Give Benson Hefty Signing Bonus (Published 1996)". The New York Times . August 12, 1996.
  11. ↑ Official Olympic Report, 1996 Atlanta (Vol. 3): pp. 116–125.
  12. ↑ "Kris Benson". Baseball-Reference.Com. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  13. 1 2 "BASEBALL; Anna Benson Calls Off The Divorce". The New York Times. April 5, 2006 – via NYTimes.com.
  14. ↑ Chass, Murray (January 23, 2006). "A Wife Trade by Any Other Name". The New York Times– via NYTimes.com.
  15. ↑ "Changeup of heart: Anna Benson wants Kris back". ESPN.com. April 4, 2006.
  16. ↑ Shpigel, Ben (January 22, 2006). "Benson Sent to Baltimore for 2 Pitchers". The New York Times– via NYTimes.com.
  17. ↑ MLB News, Videos, Scores, Standings, Stats, Teams, Players – FOX Sports on MSN Archived February 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine . Msn.foxsports.com. Retrieved on March 12, 2011.
  18. ↑ Mandel, Ken (February 13, 2008). "Benson agrees to Minor League deal; Veteran right-hander hoping to be ready for Opening Day". MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 17, 2008. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
  19. ↑ Topic Galleries Archived June 30, 2008, at the Wayback Machine . mcall.com. Retrieved on March 12, 2011.
  20. ↑ "Rangers sign Benson to minor league contract". ESPN.com. February 21, 2009.
  21. ↑ The Rangers outrighted pitcher Kris Benson to Triple-A Oklahoma
  22. ↑ Benson inked to Minor League deal | dbacks.com: News. Arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com (March 15, 2010). Retrieved on 2011-03-12.
  23. ↑ Clemson University (subscription required)
  24. ↑ Former No. 1 overall pick Kris Benson retires | HardballTalk. Hardballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved on March 12, 2011.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 Jenkins, Lee (February 27, 2005). "Opposites Attract Attention". The New York Times– via NYTimes.com.
  26. ↑ "Baseball Wife Anna Benson Files for Divorce". Fox News. March 31, 2006.
  27. ↑ Calcaterra, Craig (July 19, 2012). "End of a fairytale: Kris and Anna Benson are getting divorced". NBC Sports . Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  28. ↑ Garner, Marcus (November 5, 2013). "Anna Benson pleads guilty in attack on estranged husband and ex-big league pitcher Kris Benson". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Yesterday, I officially swept her off her feet!". Facebook . May 6, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Kris Benson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com.
  31. ↑ "Anna Benson Interview - Wife of New York Met's Pitcher Kris Benson". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  32. ↑ "Anna and the Mets: Benson Excited About N.Y." Archived from the original on April 3, 2012. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  33. ↑ "Kris Benson Baseball Stats | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com.
  34. ↑ Jenkins, Lee (June 18, 2006). "In Return Engagement, Bensons Steal the Show". The New York Times– via NYTimes.com.
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.