Bob Wickman
Encyclopedia
Robert Joe Wickman is a former Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
. Wickman played for the New York Yankees
(–), Milwaukee Brewers
(1996–), Cleveland Indians
(2000–), Atlanta Braves
(2006–), and Arizona Diamondbacks
(2007). He batted and threw right-handed. Wickman was known to rely on his sinker to save games.
During a childhood farming accident, Wickman lost part of his index finger on his right hand, to which he credited much of the sinking motion on his fastball
.
High School, Wickman played football
, baseball
and basketball
, being named an All-State pick in basketball
. After high school
, he attended University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, living in Wells East 215, and was selected by the Chicago White Sox
in the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft
(2nd round) and signed by area scout Mike Rizzo
. In 1992, he was sent by Chicago
to the New York Yankees
in the same trade that brought Steve Sax
to the White Sox.
On May 7, 2006, Bob Wickman became the Indians’ all-time franchise leader in saved games with 130, surpassing the record previously held by Doug Jones
.
On July 20, 2006, Wickman was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Single-A Rome
catcher
Max Ramírez
. Wickman then served as Atlanta's closer, recording his first save on July 24.
On September 20, 2006, Wickman signed a one-year $6.5 million contract extension to stay with the Atlanta Braves for the 2007 season.
On August 24, 2007, after giving up a walk-off two run home run to the Reds
' Adam Dunn
in extra innings, Wickman complained to manager Bobby Cox
about pitching in non-save situations. Consequently, he was released.
On September 7, 2007, Wickman signed a contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks
, a move that signaled that he had backed off his disdain for non-save situations, given that the team had an established closer
in Jose Valverde
. Wickman pitched in 8 games for the Diamondbacks, going 0-1 with a 1.35 ERA
. He became a free agent after the season, subsequently retiring.
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...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
. Wickman played for 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...
(–), Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee 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...
(1996–), Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(2000–), Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
(2006–), and Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
(2007). He batted and threw right-handed. Wickman was known to rely on his sinker to save games.
During a childhood farming accident, Wickman lost part of his index finger on his right hand, to which he credited much of the sinking motion on his fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
.
School career
At Oconto FallsOconto Falls, Wisconsin
Oconto Falls is a city in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,843 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Oconto Falls is located at ....
High School, Wickman played football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, 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...
and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, being named an All-State pick in basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. After high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
, he attended University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, living in Wells East 215, and was selected by the Chicago 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 the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft
1990 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1990 Major League Baseball draft.-Background:The draft went a record 101 rounds, surpassing 1989's total of 88, and included a record 1,487 selections. The Astros led all clubs with 100 selections. Seattle was second with 75,...
(2nd round) and signed by area scout Mike Rizzo
Mike Rizzo (baseball)
Michael Anthony Rizzo is the General Manager and Executive Vice President of baseball operations of the Washington Nationals...
. In 1992, he was sent by Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
to 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...
in the same trade that brought Steve Sax
Steve Sax
Stephen Louis Sax is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball. He was a right-handed batter for the Los Angeles Dodgers , New York Yankees , Chicago White Sox , and the Oakland Athletics ....
to the White Sox.
Major league career
Doug Jones (baseball)
Douglas Reid Jones is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. During a 16-year career, he played for the Milwaukee Brewers , Cleveland Indians , Baltimore Orioles , and Oakland Athletics , all of the American League, and the Houston Astros , Philadelphia Phillies , and...
.
On July 20, 2006, Wickman was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Single-A Rome
Rome Braves
The Rome Braves are a Class-A minor league affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. In 2003, the team, previously known as the Macon Braves, moved from Macon, Georgia, to Rome, Georgia, 60 miles northwest of Atlanta....
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...
Max Ramírez
Max Ramírez
Maximiliano R. Ramírez is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball.-Atlanta Braves:...
. Wickman then served as Atlanta's closer, recording his first save on July 24.
On September 20, 2006, Wickman signed a one-year $6.5 million contract extension to stay with the Atlanta Braves for the 2007 season.
On August 24, 2007, after giving up a walk-off two run home run to the 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....
' Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Troy Dunn , nicknamed "Big Donkey", is an American Major League Baseball first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Chicago White Sox. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed....
in extra innings, Wickman complained to manager Bobby Cox
Bobby Cox
Robert Joseph "Bobby" Cox is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. He first led the Atlanta Braves from 1978 to 1981, and then managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982 to 1985. He later rejoined the Braves in 1985 as a general manager...
about pitching in non-save situations. Consequently, he was released.
On September 7, 2007, Wickman signed a contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
, a move that signaled that he had backed off his disdain for non-save situations, given that the team had an established closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
in Jose Valverde
José Valverde
José Rafael Valverde is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. His nickname is Papa Grande...
. Wickman pitched in 8 games for the Diamondbacks, going 0-1 with a 1.35 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 became a free agent after the season, subsequently retiring.
See also
External links
- Wickmans's Warriors - Official Bob Wickman Baseball Club