Aaron Sele
Encyclopedia
Aaron Helmer Sele is a former Major League Baseball
right-handed pitcher
who is currently the minor league pitching instructor for the Los Angeles Dodgers
.
, a Scandinavian town on the Kitsap Peninsula
, where he pitched for North Kitsap High School.
, but he chose to attend Washington State University
where Bobo Brayton was the baseball
coach. John Olerud
was a pitcher in his last year at WSU when Sele was a freshman, and he gave Aaron some advice on pitching. Another incoming freshman
was catcher
Scott Hatteberg
. During Sele and Hatteberg's three years at State, they won three conference titles. In Sele's sophomore year, 1990, the Cougars ended a surprising season ranked 18th in the nation. Sele won
his first seven decisions and finished at 12-3 with 2.22 ERA
. He was named a third-team All-American by Baseball America
. In the summer of 1990, Sele pitched for Team USA
and shut out the powerful Cuba national baseball team
on 3 hits
and 8 strikeout
s.
in the first-round (#23 overall) of the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft
. He had a team-best 4 complete game
s at Winter Haven
and also pitched in the Florida Instructional League. He was a co-winner of the Tony Latham Memorial Award for player with the most enthusiasm. Sele advanced quickly through the Red Sox farm system, with stops at Lynchburg and New Britain in 1992.
and pitched a one-hit 7-inning shutout
in his first Triple-A start on April 10 at Columbus
and was 4-0, 1.98 in final 6 starts
. He was purchased from Pawtucket on June 22, .
Sele defeated Minnesota
, 3-1 in his major league debut on June 23 at Fenway Park
(7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER) and was 6-0, 2.72 (15 ER/49.2 IP) in his first 8 MLB starts. He was the third Red Sox rookie to ever win as many as his first 6 decisions. This streak ended on August 12 against the New York Yankees
. He had 7 consecutive no decisions, August 22-September 22, despite a 2.38 ERA in that span, and fanned 11 on September 28 against the Detroit Tigers
. He allowed 3 or fewer earned run
s in all 18 starts and held opponents to a .237 batting average
(.229 vs. left-handers). Despite making only 18 starts, he was selected as the AL
Rookie Pitcher of the Year by The Sporting News and the Red Sox Rookie of the Year. He finished 3rd in BBWAA AL Rookie of the Year voting and was named to Major League Rookie All-Star team by Baseball Digest and also named International League
pitcher of the year and the starting pitcher on the IL's post-season all-star team by Baseball America
.
Later in 1993, while pitching against the White Sox
in Chicago, Sele was involved in one of baseball's more memorable brawls. After two consecutive inside pitches, George Bell charged the mound. Sele, seeming to have a plan, did not move until Bell was feet from him, about to throw a punch. At the last second, Sele slipped to his left as Bell threw the punch and the burly Mo Vaughn
, having rushed to the mound from first base, crashed into Bell. Bell flipped backwards in the air, crashing to the ground as both of the benches emptied and the teams made their way to the mound http://www.jokaroo.com/extremesports/baseball/baseballfight-georgebellaaronsele.html.
and May 18 in Baltimore
.
and was placed on the 15-day disabled list
on June 2 (retroactive to May 24). He made 2 rehab starts each at Sarasota, Trenton
, and Pawtucket from June 21-August 22, going 0-1, 3.60 (20.0 IP, 8 ER) but continued to experience soreness and was moved to the 60-day disabled list for the remainder of the season on August 31.
. He was among the league leaders in hit batters
(2nd, 15), walks
(10th), and runs allowed
(T10th) and allowed the most baserunners per 9 innings among AL starters (14.8). He was traded to Texas
with Mark Bradenburg
and Bill Haselman
on November 6 for Damon Buford
and Jim Leyritz
.
, the 2 lowest-hit complete games of his big league career. He won his first 5 starts of the season, going 5-0, 2.00 (36.0 IP, 8 ER) through April 26. This streak ended with a loss in Boston on May 1, snapping an overall 6-game winning streak over 2 seasons. The streak matched his career high.
He was the majors' first 8-game (May 23) and 11-game (June 23) winner, as well as the first pitcher in the AL with 9 (June 8), 10 (June 18), and 12 (July 4) victories. He was 12-5, 4.04 in 18 starts in the 1st half to earn his first selection to the AL All-Star team. However, he did not see action in the July 7 game at Colorado
. Beginning August 19, he was 6-1, 2.41 in his final 8 games and had a string of 13.2 straight scoreless innings over 2 starts on September 9 and 14. He fanned 7.07 batters every 9 innings, the 8th best ratio among AL qualifiers, and did not issue a homer in his last 8 regular season starts and 54 innings overall after Chuck Knoblauch
's 5th inning blast on August 14 in New York.
, in 14-0 win May 15 vs. Minnesota, facing just 25 batters in 7.0 innings pitched. He allowed just 1 unearned run and no extra-base hits in 6-2 win vs. Colorado June 5. He earned win #10 on July 2 in Texas, becoming the first Mariner right-hander with 10 wins before the All-Star break. He lost his first three starts of the second half, going 0-3, 7.50 (18.0 IP, 15 ER).He earned win #11 July 30 vs. Toronto, giving up six hits and four earned runs in 6 2/3 innings, snapping a three-game losing skid. He retired 12 of the first 15 batters faced for his 16th win September 20 at Tampa Bay. Despite getting the no-decision, helped Seattle clinch the Wild Card, pitching 5.2 innings and scattering six hits for two earned runs October 1 at Anaheim
.
), which tied for second in AL, and tied Angels' season high six hits allowed in an inning, September 2 at Minnesota. He had nine runs allowed in the same game equaling his career high (May 16, 1999 vs. Baltimore; 2.1 IP), pitched into the seventh inning in one of 25 starts, won season-best three straight decisions, June 29-July 10, lost three straight decisions twice, and his longest outing was seven innings pitched, June 7 at Florida (9-2 win).
for the first time in his ML career. His appearance April 9 at Texas marked just the second relief appearance of his career (April 18, 2001 vs. Texas). After allowing five earned runs in 3.1 IP of his first relief outing of the season, he allowed just one earned run over his next three relief outings (7.0 IP). Sele returned to the starting rotation on May 1 and proceeded to go 4-0 with a 2.10 ERA (34.1 IP, 8 ER) in six starts. He became the first Angel in club history to open a season with a 7-0 record (19 games, 15 starts). He left the June 10 game vs. Milwaukee after six innings due to right shoulder fatigue and was placed on the 15-day disabled list from June 11-June 26 with right shoulder fatigue.
, Sele was a pleasant surprise for the NL Wild Card Champions. He pitched in 28 games, 15 of which were starts, while pitching a total of 103.3 innings. He won 8 games and had an ERA of 4.53. He was the winning pitcher of the September 18 game in which the Dodgers hit 4 consecutive home run
s and won in extra innings on Nomar Garciaparra
's walk-off home run
.
, and received a non-roster invitation to spring training
. On March 29, 2007, the Mets purchased Sele's contract and placed him the 25-man roster. Sele served as the long man from the bullpen for the team.
He has four daughters, and has been married to his wife Jennifer for 10 years.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
right-handed pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who is currently the minor league pitching instructor for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
.
Early years
His family moved to Poulsbo, WashingtonPoulsbo, Washington
Poulsbo is a city on Liberty Bay in Kitsap County, Washington, United States. It is the fourth largest city in Kitsap County and one of the main suburbs of Seattle in the Kitsap area. The population was 9,200 at the 2010 census....
, a Scandinavian town on the Kitsap Peninsula
Kitsap Peninsula
The Kitsap Peninsula is an arm of land that is part of the larger Olympic Peninsula in Washington state that lies west of Seattle across Puget Sound. Hood Canal separates Kitsap Peninsula from the rest of the Olympic Peninsula...
, where he pitched for North Kitsap High School.
College career
Sele was drafted out of high school in the 37th round by the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, but he chose to attend Washington State University
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
where Bobo Brayton was the baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
coach. John Olerud
John Olerud
John Garrett Olerud , is a former American first baseman in Major League Baseball. Olerud played with the Toronto Blue Jays , New York Mets , Seattle Mariners , New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox ....
was a pitcher in his last year at WSU when Sele was a freshman, and he gave Aaron some advice on pitching. Another incoming freshman
Freshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
was catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
Scott Hatteberg
Scott Hatteberg
Scott Allen Hatteberg is a former American Major League Baseball first baseman and catcher.- Early life :...
. During Sele and Hatteberg's three years at State, they won three conference titles. In Sele's sophomore year, 1990, the Cougars ended a surprising season ranked 18th in the nation. Sele won
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
his first seven decisions and finished at 12-3 with 2.22 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. He was named a third-team All-American by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
. In the summer of 1990, Sele pitched for Team USA
Team USA
Team USA is a wrestling faction brought together as part of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's X-Cup Tournaments, which involved a team of X Division superstars from various countries representing their nation in an international wrestling competition.-America's X-Cup:Team USA was created and led...
and shut out the powerful Cuba national baseball team
Cuba national baseball team
The Cuba national baseball team is the national team of Cuba. The team is made up of amateur players from the Cuban national baseball system, as there are no professional sports leagues in Cuba...
on 3 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and 8 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s.
Baseball career
Listed at 6'5" and 205 pounds, he was selected by the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in the first-round (#23 overall) of the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft
1991 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1991 Major League Baseball draft.-Supplemental First Round Selections:-Other notable players:...
. He had a team-best 4 complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
s at Winter Haven
Winter Haven Red Sox
The Winter Haven Red Sox is a former minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Boston Red Sox from 1969 to 1992.*Location: Winter Haven, FL*League: Florida State League *Affiliation: Boston Red Sox...
and also pitched in the Florida Instructional League. He was a co-winner of the Tony Latham Memorial Award for player with the most enthusiasm. Sele advanced quickly through the Red Sox farm system, with stops at Lynchburg and New Britain in 1992.
1993
Sele began his third pro season with Triple-A PawtucketPawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
and pitched a one-hit 7-inning shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
in his first Triple-A start on April 10 at Columbus
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
and was 4-0, 1.98 in final 6 starts
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
. He was purchased from Pawtucket on June 22, .
Sele defeated Minnesota
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, 3-1 in his major league debut on June 23 at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
(7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER) and was 6-0, 2.72 (15 ER/49.2 IP) in his first 8 MLB starts. He was the third Red Sox rookie to ever win as many as his first 6 decisions. This streak ended on August 12 against the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. He had 7 consecutive no decisions, August 22-September 22, despite a 2.38 ERA in that span, and fanned 11 on September 28 against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. He allowed 3 or fewer earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
s in all 18 starts and held opponents to a .237 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
(.229 vs. left-handers). Despite making only 18 starts, he was selected as the AL
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
Rookie Pitcher of the Year by The Sporting News and the Red Sox Rookie of the Year. He finished 3rd in BBWAA AL Rookie of the Year voting and was named to Major League Rookie All-Star team by Baseball Digest and also named International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
pitcher of the year and the starting pitcher on the IL's post-season all-star team by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
.
Later in 1993, while pitching against the White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in Chicago, Sele was involved in one of baseball's more memorable brawls. After two consecutive inside pitches, George Bell charged the mound. Sele, seeming to have a plan, did not move until Bell was feet from him, about to throw a punch. At the last second, Sele slipped to his left as Bell threw the punch and the burly Mo Vaughn
Mo Vaughn
Maurice Samuel 'Mo' Vaughn , nicknamed "The Hit Dog", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played from 1991 to 2003...
, having rushed to the mound from first base, crashed into Bell. Bell flipped backwards in the air, crashing to the ground as both of the benches emptied and the teams made their way to the mound http://www.jokaroo.com/extremesports/baseball/baseballfight-georgebellaaronsele.html.
1994
In , Sele finished 2nd on the Red Sox staff in starts, complete games, innings, and strikeouts and tied for 2nd in wins. He went 5-1, 2.29 in 1st 8 starts through May 18 before going 3-6, 4.79 in final 14 outings despite allowing 3 or fewer earned runs in 8 of final 14 games. His complete games came in consecutive starts, May 11 against MilwaukeeMilwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
and May 18 in Baltimore
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
.
1995
Sele was the Opening Day starter in , April 26 against Minnesota, and worked 5 scoreless innings in a 9-0 victory. He made just six starts, going 3-1, 3.06 and allowing right-handed batters to hit just .194 (13-67). He experienced soreness in his right arm after start on May 23 at SeattleSeattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
and was placed on the 15-day disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
on June 2 (retroactive to May 24). He made 2 rehab starts each at Sarasota, Trenton
Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder are an American Minor League Baseball team and are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder play in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League, and are the two-time defending league champions...
, and Pawtucket from June 21-August 22, going 0-1, 3.60 (20.0 IP, 8 ER) but continued to experience soreness and was moved to the 60-day disabled list for the remainder of the season on August 31.
1996
In , Sele ranked fourth on the Boston staff in starts, innings, strikeouts, and wins. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on August 16 (retroactive to August 14) with a strained muscle in his left rib cage and made one start on rehab assignment on August 26 for Pawtucket before being activated on September 1.1997
Sele led the Red Sox in in wins and starts while ranking third in innings and strikeouts. He was 4-1, 3.72 in his first 7 starts through May and 4-1, 3.93 in a span of 5 outings from June 12 to July 3. He held right-handed batters to a .224 average, 7th best among AL starters, and tied his then-career high with 11 strikeouts on July 12 against TorontoToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. He was among the league leaders in hit batters
Hit by pitch
In baseball, hit by pitch , or hit batsman , is a batter or his equipment being hit in some part of his body by a pitch from the pitcher.-Official rule:...
(2nd, 15), walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
(10th), and runs allowed
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
(T10th) and allowed the most baserunners per 9 innings among AL starters (14.8). He was traded to Texas
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
with Mark Bradenburg
Mark Brandenburg (baseball)
Mark Clay Brandenburg is a former middle-relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox . Brandenburg batted and threw right-handed...
and Bill Haselman
Bill Haselman
William Joseph Haselman is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He served as the first base coach for the Boston Red Sox in . Before taking over the role of first base coach, Haselman served as bullpen coach...
on November 6 for Damon Buford
Damon Buford
Damon Buford is a retired Major League Baseball player. Buford played between 1993 and 2001 for the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs.-College career:...
and Jim Leyritz
Jim Leyritz
James Joseph Leyritz is a former catcher and infielder in Major League Baseball.-Early years:Leyritz attended Turpin High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, Middle Georgia Jr...
.
1998
Sele tied for 4th in the AL with a career-high 19 wins in , matching the 4th most in Rangers' history. He also tied for 5th in the league with 2 shutouts, set career highs for complete games, shutouts and innings pitched and led the majors with 13 victories at home. His first 2 career complete game shutouts came in a span of 3 starts, a 3-hitter on April 9 in Chicago and a 4-hitter on April 21 against Tampa BayTampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
, the 2 lowest-hit complete games of his big league career. He won his first 5 starts of the season, going 5-0, 2.00 (36.0 IP, 8 ER) through April 26. This streak ended with a loss in Boston on May 1, snapping an overall 6-game winning streak over 2 seasons. The streak matched his career high.
He was the majors' first 8-game (May 23) and 11-game (June 23) winner, as well as the first pitcher in the AL with 9 (June 8), 10 (June 18), and 12 (July 4) victories. He was 12-5, 4.04 in 18 starts in the 1st half to earn his first selection to the AL All-Star team. However, he did not see action in the July 7 game at Colorado
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
. Beginning August 19, he was 6-1, 2.41 in his final 8 games and had a string of 13.2 straight scoreless innings over 2 starts on September 9 and 14. He fanned 7.07 batters every 9 innings, the 8th best ratio among AL qualifiers, and did not issue a homer in his last 8 regular season starts and 54 innings overall after Chuck Knoblauch
Chuck Knoblauch
Edward Charles "Chuck" Knoblauch is a retired Major League Baseball player. He played all or part of twelve seasons in the majors, from until , for the Minnesota Twins , New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals...
's 5th inning blast on August 14 in New York.
2000
He became the first Mariners right-hander to make the All-Star team, earning his second All-Star appearance. He was among the AL leaders in wins, starts and innings pitched and won at least 17 games for the third consecutive season. He allowed just 2 hits, both singlesSingle (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
, in 14-0 win May 15 vs. Minnesota, facing just 25 batters in 7.0 innings pitched. He allowed just 1 unearned run and no extra-base hits in 6-2 win vs. Colorado June 5. He earned win #10 on July 2 in Texas, becoming the first Mariner right-hander with 10 wins before the All-Star break. He lost his first three starts of the second half, going 0-3, 7.50 (18.0 IP, 15 ER).He earned win #11 July 30 vs. Toronto, giving up six hits and four earned runs in 6 2/3 innings, snapping a three-game losing skid. He retired 12 of the first 15 batters faced for his 16th win September 20 at Tampa Bay. Despite getting the no-decision, helped Seattle clinch the Wild Card, pitching 5.2 innings and scattering six hits for two earned runs October 1 at Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
.
2003
In , he began his 13th pro season and second with the Angels on 15-day disabled list. Sele underwent surgery (October 18) to repair partial tear of the supraspinatus muscle and labrum in his right rotator cuff (performed by Angels Medical Director Dr. Lewis Yocum). He was placed on the disabled list March 26 due to recovery from surgery and activated May 9. Sele set a career high in ERA and career lows in starts and strikeouts (53). His seven wins equaled his fewest in his major league career (1996; based on 25-or-more starts), had more walks (58) than strikeouts for first time as professional, tied for club lead with 12 hit batters (Ramon OrtizRamón Ortiz
Ramón Diógenes Ortiz is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. He has previously pitched in Major League Baseball for the Anaheim Angels, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals, Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs as well as the Orix...
), which tied for second in AL, and tied Angels' season high six hits allowed in an inning, September 2 at Minnesota. He had nine runs allowed in the same game equaling his career high (May 16, 1999 vs. Baltimore; 2.1 IP), pitched into the seventh inning in one of 25 starts, won season-best three straight decisions, June 29-July 10, lost three straight decisions twice, and his longest outing was seven innings pitched, June 7 at Florida (9-2 win).
2004
Sele opened the season in the bullpenBullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
for the first time in his ML career. His appearance April 9 at Texas marked just the second relief appearance of his career (April 18, 2001 vs. Texas). After allowing five earned runs in 3.1 IP of his first relief outing of the season, he allowed just one earned run over his next three relief outings (7.0 IP). Sele returned to the starting rotation on May 1 and proceeded to go 4-0 with a 2.10 ERA (34.1 IP, 8 ER) in six starts. He became the first Angel in club history to open a season with a 7-0 record (19 games, 15 starts). He left the June 10 game vs. Milwaukee after six innings due to right shoulder fatigue and was placed on the 15-day disabled list from June 11-June 26 with right shoulder fatigue.
2005
He made 21 starts in for Seattle and went 6-12 with a 5.66 ERA in 21 starts. He won back-to-back starts on May 22 and 28, allowing one earned run in 15.2 innings. He was signed to a minor league contract with Texas on August 6 and made two starts for Triple-A Oklahoma, going 1-1.2006
Playing for the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, Sele was a pleasant surprise for the NL Wild Card Champions. He pitched in 28 games, 15 of which were starts, while pitching a total of 103.3 innings. He won 8 games and had an ERA of 4.53. He was the winning pitcher of the September 18 game in which the Dodgers hit 4 consecutive home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and won in extra innings on Nomar Garciaparra
Nomar Garciaparra
Anthony Nomar Garciaparra is a former Major League Baseball player. After playing parts of 9 seasons as an All-Star shortstop for the Boston Red Sox, he played third base, first base, and designated hitter for the Oakland Athletics, first base and third base for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and...
's walk-off home run
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
.
2007
On January 25, 2007, Sele signed a minor league contract with the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, and received a non-roster invitation to spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. On March 29, 2007, the Mets purchased Sele's contract and placed him the 25-man roster. Sele served as the long man from the bullpen for the team.
Post-playing career
On October 31, 2008, the Los Angeles Dodgers named Sele their minor league pitching instructor for the 2009 season.See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- MLB All-Time Hit Batsmen ListMLB All-Time Hit Batsmen ListThis is a list of top 100 Major League Baseball pitchers who have the most hit batsmen of all time. There is an of hitters who have been hit by pitch the most times.Active players are denoted in bold text.-The List:* Bold denotes active player...
He has four daughters, and has been married to his wife Jennifer for 10 years.