Bob Nilsson
Encyclopedia
Robert "Bob" Nilsson was the oldest of the four Nilsson brothers and one of the greatest relievers in the history of Australia
n baseball leagues. Bob's brother Dave Nilsson
was the first Australian All-Star
in MLB, his brother Gary Nilsson
played in the minors and Ron Nilsson also played in Australia for one year. Bob's son Jay Nilsson
began his minor league career in 2006.
Bob Nilsson was the first Australian of the modern era to sign a professional contract with a MLB team, inking a deal with the Cincinnati Reds
in 1978. He never made it to the US minor leagues, though.
while going 3-4 with 2 saves and a 1.11 ERA
. He was named to the ABL All-Star team as the top relief pitcher.
In 1990–1991, Nilsson went 7-0 with 7 saves and a minuscule 0.27 ERA for the Daikyo Dolphins
. He saved more than twice as many games as the runner-ups, who included Tim Worrell
. He again would have easily led the ABL in ERA had he qualified. He also tied for third in victories. He was named to his second straight All-Star team.
Nilsson fell to 2-3 with 10 saves and a 2.68 ERA in 1991-1992. He led the league with 23 appearances and was one save behind leader Mark Ettles
. He was the second team All-Star reliever this time, trailing Ettles. He helped Daikyo to a title.
He had his worst year in 1992-1993, going 3-1 with 9 saves and a 5.08 ERA for the Brisbane Bandits and allowing a .327 average. He was second to Ross Jones
in saves and led the league with 26 appearances.
With the East Coast Cougars in 1993-1994, Bob's record was 0-3 with 7 saves and a 3.51 ERA. He was second to Jones in saves and was again a second-team All-Star pick.
In 1994-1995, Nilsson went 6-4 with 8 saves and a 3.98 ERA for East Coast. He was third in the league with 24 games pitched and second in saves, one behind Jones. He was the first-team All-Star relief pitcher for the third time in his six seasons.
Nilsson was 4-4 with 4 saves and a 4.98 ERA in the 1995-1996 Australian Baseball League. He made 18 appearances, tied for second in the league, and was 4th in saves. In 1996-1997, Bob was 4-3 with 2 saves and a 5.01 ERA. He tied for fourth in the ABL with 21 appearances. In the 1997 Intercontinental Cup
, he had a 4.76 ERA in four appearances for the national team. Only Ettles showed up more frequently on the mound for Australia in that competition.
Nilsson's record in 1997-1998 read 5-3, 4 Sv, 4.78. He led the ABL with 27 games pitched. Bob retired after that season.
Overall, Nilsson was 34-25 with 53 saves and a 3.51 ERA in 194 games pitched in eight ABL seasons. Through 2006–2007, he ranks 8th in the history of Australian leagues in ERA (right behind Shayne Bennett
), 15th in innings pitched (328, despite only 8 starts), first in games pitched (194, 33 ahead of Grahame Cassel), 6th in wins, tied for 9th in losses and first in saves (10 ahead of Jones).
and Ryan as well as nephew Daniel play for the Redcliffe Padres
. Since his professional baseball career, Bob has become a Level 2 National Accredited Coach and has coached Australian junior baseball teams, the Queensland Rams
as well as other Queensland junior baseball teams and is the current head coach for the Pine Hills Lightning
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n baseball leagues. Bob's brother Dave Nilsson
Dave Nilsson
David Wayne Nilsson is a retired Australian professional baseball player who played as catcher for Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers from to . He was an All-Star in 1999, becoming the only Australian player to appear in an All-Star game...
was the first Australian All-Star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
in MLB, his brother Gary Nilsson
Gary Nilsson
Gary Nilsson is a former Australian baseball player who played as a pitcher for the Lakeland Tigers in 1984 and in the Australian Baseball League from to . He is the brother of former All-Star, Dave Nilsson as well as former minor leaguer Bob Nilsson...
played in the minors and Ron Nilsson also played in Australia for one year. Bob's son Jay Nilsson
Jay Nilsson
Jay Nilsson born 1 November 1987 in Redcliffe, Queensland is a former minor league baseball player for the Gulf Coast Indians. He is the son of Bob Nilsson, a top Australian league reliever of the 1990s. Jay's uncle David Nilsson was the first Australian All-Star in the major leagues...
began his minor league career in 2006.
Bob Nilsson was the first Australian of the modern era to sign a professional contract with a MLB team, inking a deal with the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
in 1978. He never made it to the US minor leagues, though.
Playing History
When the Australian Baseball League was founded in 1989–1990, Bob was one of the early stars. He hit .315/.351/.575 for the Gold Coast DolphinsDaikyo Dolphins
The Daikyo Dolphins were formerly the Gold Coast Clippers, a foundation team in the now defunct Australian Baseball League. The Clippers changed their name to the Daikyo Dolphins following the signing of a major sponsorship deal with Japanese real estate development company Daikyo to create one of...
while going 3-4 with 2 saves and a 1.11 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 to the ABL All-Star team as the top relief pitcher.
In 1990–1991, Nilsson went 7-0 with 7 saves and a minuscule 0.27 ERA for the Daikyo Dolphins
Daikyo Dolphins
The Daikyo Dolphins were formerly the Gold Coast Clippers, a foundation team in the now defunct Australian Baseball League. The Clippers changed their name to the Daikyo Dolphins following the signing of a major sponsorship deal with Japanese real estate development company Daikyo to create one of...
. He saved more than twice as many games as the runner-ups, who included Tim Worrell
Tim Worrell
Timothy Howard Worrell is a former right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. During his fourteen-year Major League career, Worrell has pitched for nine teams, including the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, San...
. He again would have easily led the ABL in ERA had he qualified. He also tied for third in victories. He was named to his second straight All-Star team.
Nilsson fell to 2-3 with 10 saves and a 2.68 ERA in 1991-1992. He led the league with 23 appearances and was one save behind leader Mark Ettles
Mark Ettles
Mark Edward Ettles is an Australian born baseball pitcher who played for the San Diego Padres in 1993. He was a member of the Australia national baseball team, that ended up in sixth place at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.-Sources:...
. He was the second team All-Star reliever this time, trailing Ettles. He helped Daikyo to a title.
He had his worst year in 1992-1993, going 3-1 with 9 saves and a 5.08 ERA for the Brisbane Bandits and allowing a .327 average. He was second to Ross Jones
Ross Jones
Ross A. Jones is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. Jones was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers ninth overall in the 1980 Major League Baseball Draft...
in saves and led the league with 26 appearances.
With the East Coast Cougars in 1993-1994, Bob's record was 0-3 with 7 saves and a 3.51 ERA. He was second to Jones in saves and was again a second-team All-Star pick.
In 1994-1995, Nilsson went 6-4 with 8 saves and a 3.98 ERA for East Coast. He was third in the league with 24 games pitched and second in saves, one behind Jones. He was the first-team All-Star relief pitcher for the third time in his six seasons.
Nilsson was 4-4 with 4 saves and a 4.98 ERA in the 1995-1996 Australian Baseball League. He made 18 appearances, tied for second in the league, and was 4th in saves. In 1996-1997, Bob was 4-3 with 2 saves and a 5.01 ERA. He tied for fourth in the ABL with 21 appearances. In the 1997 Intercontinental Cup
Intercontinental Cup (baseball)
The Intercontinental Cup is a baseball tournament between the members of the International Baseball Federation . It was first held in 1973 in Italy, and was held every other year following until 1999....
, he had a 4.76 ERA in four appearances for the national team. Only Ettles showed up more frequently on the mound for Australia in that competition.
Nilsson's record in 1997-1998 read 5-3, 4 Sv, 4.78. He led the ABL with 27 games pitched. Bob retired after that season.
Overall, Nilsson was 34-25 with 53 saves and a 3.51 ERA in 194 games pitched in eight ABL seasons. Through 2006–2007, he ranks 8th in the history of Australian leagues in ERA (right behind Shayne Bennett
Shayne Bennett
Shayne Anthony Bennett was an Australian rules footballer who played for North Adelaide Football Club in the South Australian National Football League , and a right-handed pitcher, who last played in Major League Baseball for the Montreal Expos on 15 August 1999.The younger brother of fellow North...
), 15th in innings pitched (328, despite only 8 starts), first in games pitched (194, 33 ahead of Grahame Cassel), 6th in wins, tied for 9th in losses and first in saves (10 ahead of Jones).
Post career
Bob's sons JayJay Nilsson
Jay Nilsson born 1 November 1987 in Redcliffe, Queensland is a former minor league baseball player for the Gulf Coast Indians. He is the son of Bob Nilsson, a top Australian league reliever of the 1990s. Jay's uncle David Nilsson was the first Australian All-Star in the major leagues...
and Ryan as well as nephew Daniel play for the Redcliffe Padres
Redcliffe Padres
The Redcliffe Leagues Padres Baseball Club, also known as Peninsula Padres Baseball Club is a baseball club located in Redcliffe, Queensland that participates in the Greater Brisbane League competition and Brisbane North Region competition...
. Since his professional baseball career, Bob has become a Level 2 National Accredited Coach and has coached Australian junior baseball teams, the Queensland Rams
Queensland Rams
Queensland Rams compete in the Claxton Shield Baseball Championship in Australia. The Rams were one of the founding teams of the Claxton Shield in 1934 and competed as Queensland until 1988. Between 1988 and 1999, the Claxton Shield was awarded to the winner of the Australian Baseball League...
as well as other Queensland junior baseball teams and is the current head coach for the Pine Hills Lightning
Pine Hills Lightning
The Pine Hills Lightning Baseball Club is a baseball club that participates in the Greater Brisbane League competition and Brisbane Metropolitan Region competition...