Brooks Kieschnick
Encyclopedia
Michael Brooks Kieschnick (born June 6, 1972 in Robstown, Texas
) is a former Major League Baseball
player. He was primarily a relief pitcher
and left-handed
pinch hitter
. He was originally selected by the Chicago Cubs
in the 1st round of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft
as a hitter, but after bouncing around the major and minor leagues for a decade, he revived his career by returning to pitching, at which he excelled in his years at the University of Texas at Austin
.
for National Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year in 1992 and 1993 (only player to win this award twice). His number 23 was retired by the University of Texas and he was an inaugural member of College Baseball Hall of Fame
.
took advantage of Kieschnick's versatility, using him as a pinch hitter, designated hitter
, and left fielder
in addition to his primary role in the bullpen
. During the 2003 season, Kieschnick became the first player in major league history to hit home run
s as a pitcher, designated hitter, and pinch hitter in the same season. Before joining the Brewers, he played in the major leagues with the Cubs, Cincinnati Reds
, and Colorado Rockies
. In a total of 306 career at-bats, his batting average
was .248. In his two seasons of pitching at the major league level, his ERA
was 4.59.
On February 15, , Kieschnick announced his retirement.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
) is a former 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...
player. He was primarily a 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...
and left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
. He was originally selected by the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in the 1st round of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft
1993 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1993 Major League Baseball draft.-Compensation picks:-Other notable players:*Scott Rolen was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2nd round of the 1993 amateur draft....
as a hitter, but after bouncing around the major and minor leagues for a decade, he revived his career by returning to pitching, at which he excelled in his years at the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
.
College
While at the University of Texas at Austin, Kieschnick won the Dick Howser TrophyDick Howser Trophy
The Dick Howser Trophy, considered to be the Heisman Trophy of college baseball, is an award presented annually to the national college baseball player of the year, presented by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association ....
for National Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year in 1992 and 1993 (only player to win this award twice). His number 23 was retired by the University of Texas and he was an inaugural member of College Baseball Hall of Fame
College Baseball Hall of Fame
The National College Baseball Hall of Fame, located in Lubbock, Texas, is a museum operated by the College Baseball Foundation serving as the central point for the study of the history of college baseball in the United States...
.
Professional career
In and , the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee 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...
took advantage of Kieschnick's versatility, using him as a pinch hitter, designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
, and left fielder
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
in addition to his primary role in the bullpen
Bullpen
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"...
. During the 2003 season, Kieschnick became the first player in major league history to hit 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 as a pitcher, designated hitter, and pinch hitter in the same season. Before joining the Brewers, he played in the major leagues with the Cubs, 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....
, and Colorado Rockies
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...
. In a total of 306 career at-bats, his 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 :...
was .248. In his two seasons of pitching at the major league level, his 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...
was 4.59.
On February 15, , Kieschnick announced his retirement.
See also
- 1991 College Baseball All-America Team1991 College Baseball All-America TeamAn All-American team is an honorary sports team composed of the best amateur players of a specific season for each position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply "All-Americans". Although the honorees generally do not...
- 1992 College Baseball All-America Team1992 College Baseball All-America TeamAn All-American team is an honorary sports team composed of the best amateur players of a specific season for each position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply "All-Americans". Although the honorees generally do not...
- 1993 College Baseball All-America Team1993 College Baseball All-America TeamAn All-American team is an honorary sports team composed of the best amateur players of a specific season for each position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply "All-Americans". Although the honorees generally do not...