Steve Sparks (pitcher, born 1965)

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6+2⁄3 en route to his first win since July 1996. [6] For the season, Sparks finished with a 9–4 record in 22 games (20 starts). In 1999, Sparks' control issues returned, prohibiting him from gaining his effectiveness from the previous year. In 26 starts, he finished with a record of 5-11 and a 5.42 ERA. He induced 82 walks while striking out 73 in 147.2 innings.

Detroit Tigers

In 2000, the Tigers signed Sparks to a minor league deal. He made four appearances with the team before getting demoted to AAA, he went 5–7 in 14 starts at the minor league level. He got called back up on July 22. [7] He finished the season in the rotation, going 7–5.

In 2001, Sparks enjoyed the best season of his career, setting career highs in wins (14), ERA (3.65), innings (232), complete games (8) and strikeouts (116).

Sparks regressed the following year, going 8–16 in 30 starts for the Tigers and recording the highest ERA in the American League (5.52). Sparks was demoted to the bullpen in 2003 in favor of rookie pitcher Jeremy Bonderman. [8] Sparks was let go after 42 games and signed with the Oakland A's 4 days later.

Oakland Athletics

Sparks latched on with the A's and pitched in 9 games. His record between the A's and Tigers was 0–6 in 51 games.

Arizona Diamondbacks

In 2004, the Diamondbacks signed Sparks to a 1-year deal. [9] Sparks finished 3–7 in 29 games (18 starts).

San Diego Padres

On January 25, 2005, Sparks was signed to a minor league deal with the Padres. He was injured for most of the season, only appearing in 3 starts in AAA. He was let go at mid season.

Oakland Athletics (second stint)

Sparks signed a minor league deal with the A's, making 11 starts for the AAA level.

Houston Astros

After the 2005 season, he was signed by the Houston Astros to a minor league contract, but after being cut, he retired at age 40.

Personal life

Sparks lives in Houston and works as a color analyst for Houston Astros radio broadcasts. [10]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ James, Bill; Neyer, Rob (June 15, 2004). The Neyer/James Guide to Pitchers: An Historical Compendium of Pitching, Pitchers, and Pitches. Simon and Schuster. p. 391. ISBN   9780743261586 . Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Broadcasters | Houston Astros". MLB.com .
  3. ↑ "The Milwaukee Sentinel - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Archives". Los Angeles Times . April 3, 1999.
  5. ↑ "Hard-luck Steve Sparks has taken a wobbly path to the - 07.13.98 - SI Vault". Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Angels' Sparks on Fire". CBS News . June 16, 1998.
  7. ↑ "ESPN.com: MLB - Tigers recall RHP Steve Sparks; place RHP Patterson on DL". A.espncdn.com. July 18, 2003. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  8. ↑ http://reds.enquirer.com/2003/03/07/wwwred3tiger7.html [ bare URL ]
  9. ↑ "Welcome to nginx". Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Sparks knows injury was one for the books".
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Steve Sparks
Steve Sparks at Minute Maid Park in January 2015.jpg
Sparks in 2015
Pitcher
Born: (1965-07-02) July 2, 1965 (age 59)
Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 28, 1995, for the Milwaukee Brewers
Last MLB appearance
September 26, 2004, for the Arizona Diamondbacks