John Wetteland

John Karl Wetteland (born August 21, 1966 in San Mateo, California) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, who played as a closer for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers.

Related Topics:
August 21 - 1966 - San Mateo, California - Major League Baseball - Pitcher - Closer - Los Angeles Dodgers - Montreal Expos - New York Yankees - Texas Rangers

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Wetteland was signed by the Dodgers as their second choice in the June 1985 amateur draft. He was later claimed by the Detroit Tigers in December 1987 as a Rule V draft, but was soon returned to the Dodgers. While playing in the Pacific Coast League, he made notice by earning 20 saves in 20 chances. He made his major league debut on May 31 1989. After struggling with his first five starts in 1991, Wetteland asked to be switched to the bullpen, and became a full-time closer in 1992.

Related Topics:
1985 - Detroit Tigers - 1987 - Rule V draft - Pacific Coast League - May 31 - 1989 - Bullpen - 1992

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After the 1991 season, Wetteland was traded twice; first to the Cincinnati Reds for Eric Davis, and then to the Expos for Dave Martinez. On April 5, 1995 he was traded to the Yankees for Fernando Sequignal.

Related Topics:
1991 - Cincinnati Reds - Eric Davis - Dave Martinez - April 5 - 1995 - Fernando Sequignal

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During the 1996 season, he led the American League in saves, with 43, and appeared in the All-Star Game. Wetteland was given the World Series MVP Award that year, when he led the Yankees to the World Championship. His four saves during the Series ties the record for the most saves in a single postseason series, and his seven saves in the full postseason were the most ever. He was awarded with the 1996 Rolaids Relief Man Award.

Related Topics:
1996 - All-Star Game - World Series MVP Award - Rolaids Relief Man Award

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He was signed by the Texas Rangers as a free agent on December 16, 1996, signing a 4-year contract worth $23 million. Before the 1999 season, Wetteland underwent elbow surgery. Although this robbed him of some of his fastball speed, it allowed him to expand his repetoire to include a slider, curveball, and change-up. Wetteland was again named to the All-Star game for the 1999 season, where he pitched a scoreless 9th inning, and became the first Rangers pitcher to earn an All-Star save. His 43 saves that year set a new Rangers record. His final game was on September 20, 2000, and he retired after his Rangers contract expired during the 2000 offseason.

Related Topics:
Free agent - December 16 - 1996 - Fastball - September 20 - 2000

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Wetteland was awarded the Rolaids Reliever of the Decade, and earned the most saves of any pitcher during the 1990s, and the Rangers all-time saves leader. He is tied with Dennis Eckersley for the most seasons with over 40 saves. His final win/loss percentage was .516, with 48 wins and 45 losses.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2005, Wetteland was inducted into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame.

Related Topics:
2005 - Texas Rangers Hall of Fame

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Wetteland, a born-again Christian, met his wife, Michele, while playing for the AA San Antonio Missions. They, along with their two daughters, live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was known for wearing the same baseball cap throughout the entire season.

Related Topics:
Born-again Christian - San Antonio Missions - Albuquerque, New Mexico - Baseball cap

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~