****Remember, try this without research. Release your inner James Joyce and show us your stream of consciousness as you decipher the answer. Add to that the teachings of Myagi: patience. If you don’t get the answer right away, give your brain a chance to work if for no other reason than to stay in the discussion. You may not have THE answer, but you might prompt another reader by asking the right question.
By Chas
I was once a member of a bullpen trio that has gone on to combine for over 750 career saves. I’m sure this isn’t a record, but it’s still pretty impressive.
I was second in the pecking order when all three of us were together, but I now have the fewest career saves of all.
The three of us combined with three other hurlers to set a major league record for most pitchers involved in a no-hitter. In that game, I also became the first pitcher to ever notch four strikeouts in one inning in a no-hitter, and it was the first time our opponent had been no-hit in 45 years.
My other odd claim to fame is that, early in my career, I was the first National League pitcher to start more than 15 games and save more than 15 in the same season. Tim Wakefield accomplished the feat in the American League before me, but I believe we’re still the only two pitchers to ever do this.
I’m not saying I didn’t have what it takes to be a closer, but I turned out to be one of those guys who was better in a setup role than I was at pitching at the end of games. In my prime, I pitched 289 innings over a three-year period, notching 360 strikeouts and recording a 2.33 ERA, all while saving just 12 games.
Speaking of strikeouts, among pitchers with over 800 career innings, I’m second all-time in strikeouts per 9 IP. One of my aforementioned former bullpen mates is first, but since he’s retired, I’m tops among active pitchers.
That’s right, I’m still active. In fact, I recorded the second-most saves of any single season in my career just last year. Also, a recent transaction I was involved in allowed me to tie a major league record. I’m one of three pitchers who’ve pitched for 12 different major league teams in my career.
In eight games so far with my new team, I have a save, a hold and, unfortunately, a loss, so I’m definitely being used in high leverage situations. I don’t expect too many more save opportunities, though, as there are at least two (maybe three) guys ahead of me in that pecking order. Obviously, I wasn’t the centerpiece of the trade from my team’s standpoint. A starting pitcher was the main chip we received.
Who Am I?
I don’t have much time and will disappear for a few hours without any access to the Pine, so I’ll be brief with my guess. The main reason I think it’s this guy is because I looked up the other day while MLB Network was on and said “Holy crap, he’s STILL pitching?!?!?!”. Is it Jason Isringhausen?
I am looking for a journeyman..
I went wandering, under that atomic sky….
My first thought was Scott Schoeneweis, but I don’t think that is correct.
Isringhausen was involved in a recent trade?
Thanks Wally – you reminded me of a guy. Ron Villone has pitched for 11 or 12 teams and I believe he is still pitching. He was with the Yankees which would fit the saves thanks to one man – Mo Rivera.
He started out as a starter for the Seattle Mariners, but I don’t think he lasted for very long in that role. He has been a pretty good bullpen guy, who has made a living getting out left handed hitters.
I am going with Ron Villone and I am probably way off..
I’m back with another guess. I think this guy had something to do with a combined no-hitter and he’s been on a BOATLOAD of teams throughout his career, plus I’m pretty sure has a very good Ks per 9 IP rate … AND he signed a baseball for us here in Houston ~10 years ago. I’m now guessing it’s Octavio Dotel. So whadya think?
Wally – did Dotel ever start? I was thinking Arthur Rhodes but I don’t think he has been on enough teams.
Which team threw the combined no hitter?
Smitty … yes, Dotel was sometimes a starter early in his career, including his time with the Astros. Later with the Stros he became setup man for Billy Wagner and from then on was pretty much a reliever.
I vaguely remember Dotel as a starter. The high K numbers fit.
Who was he recently traded to? And who is the starter that was the main chip?
I’m enjoying the teamwork on this one. I added some new clues to the post (in italics) after the initial round of early morning comments.
I think it was to a NL contender … Cardinals?
Kyle would know if I’m right.
Dotel is indeed a Cardinal. He was a piece in the Colby Rasmus deal. He has been a journey man, that much i know. couldnt tell you exactly how many teams, but he has been around as long as i can remember
Octavio Dotel (107 career saves) is the answer. Good job guys, especially Wally. His bullpen mates on the 2003 Astros were Billy Wagner (422) and Brad Lidge (223). Wagner is the only pitcher (800 or more IP) with a higher career strikeout rate than Dotel.
Roy Oswalt, Kirk Saarloos and Pete Munro combined with Lidge, Dotel and Wagner to no-hit the Yankees that year. Oswalt got injured in the 2nd inning.
When he was traded from Toronto to St. Louis in the Colby Rasmus-Edwin Jackson deal, he tied Ron Villone (nice job digging that name up, Smitty) and Mike Morgan as the only pitchers to play for 12 different teams.