Brian Denman
Encyclopedia
Brian John Denman is an American former starting pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played briefly for the Boston Red Sox
during the 1982
season. Listed at 6' 4", 205 lb., Denman batted and threw right-handed. A 1978 first-round draft pick, he was signed by the Boston team out of the University of Minnesota
.
Denman was a highly touted prospect in the Red Sox organization. From 1978 through 1982, he went 51-22 with 428 strikeout
s and a 2.69 ERA
in 115 starts at three different minor league levels. He joined the big team in August 1982, and posted a 3-4 record with nine strikeouts and a 4.78 ERA in nine starts, including two complete games and a six-hit, 5-0 shutout
over Dave Righetti
and the New York Yankees
at Yankee Stadium
(on October 2).
Between the minors and major league action, Denman worked 806 innings
. From 1983 to 1984, he divided his playing time between Triple-A Pawtucket
and Double-A New Britain
, combining for a 15-17 mark with a 5.29 ERA in 45 appearances. Signed by the Detroit Tigers
before the 1985 season, he pitched two years of minor league ball for Triple-A Nashville
.
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....
in Major League Baseball
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...
who played briefly for the Boston Red Sox
Boston 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"...
during the 1982
1982 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series Champion: St. Louis Cardinals*World Series MVP: Darrell Porter**American League Championship Series MVP: Fred Lynn**National League Championship Series MVP: Darrell Porter...
season. Listed at 6' 4", 205 lb., Denman batted and threw right-handed. A 1978 first-round draft pick, he was signed by the Boston team out of the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
.
Denman was a highly touted prospect in the Red Sox organization. From 1978 through 1982, he went 51-22 with 428 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 and a 2.69 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...
in 115 starts at three different minor league levels. He joined the big team in August 1982, and posted a 3-4 record with nine strikeouts and a 4.78 ERA in nine starts, including two complete games and a six-hit, 5-0 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....
over Dave Righetti
Dave Righetti
David Allan Righetti is a former left-handed pitcher for various Major League Baseball teams, primarily the New York Yankees. He is currently the pitching coach for the San Francisco Giants and was the first player in history to both pitch a no-hitter and also lead the league in saves in his career...
and 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...
at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
(on October 2).
Between the minors and major league action, Denman worked 806 innings
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
. From 1983 to 1984, he divided his playing time between Triple-A Pawtucket
Pawtucket 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 Double-A New Britain
New Britain Rock Cats
The New Britain Rock Cats are the Double-A minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball club. They compete in the Eastern League and play their home games at New Britain Stadium in New Britain, Connecticut.-History:...
, combining for a 15-17 mark with a 5.29 ERA in 45 appearances. Signed by 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...
before the 1985 season, he pitched two years of minor league ball for Triple-A Nashville
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry...
.
Minor league highlights
- Led the Bristol Red SoxBristol Red SoxThe Bristol Red Sox was name of an American minor league baseball franchise. Based in Bristol, Connecticut, it was the Double-A Eastern League farm system affiliate of the Boston Red Sox for ten seasons, 1973 through 1982, and played at Muzzy Field....
in victories in 1979 (14) and in victories (15) and ERA (2.44) in 1981 - Named Opening Day starter for the PawSoxPawtucket Red SoxThe Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
in 1984