Chris Welsh
Encyclopedia
Christopher Charles Welsh (born April 14, 1955 in Wilmington
, Delaware
) is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher and a current sportscaster
for the Cincinnati Reds
. He was a left-hander with a career ERA of 4.45 and career win/loss record of 22-31. He graduated from St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio
, in 1973, and later graduated from the University of South Florida
where he played baseball under coach Robin Roberts, whom he often mentions in his commentary.
in their worst statistical year, looking for a pitcher to drive them to the World Series,in the 24th round of the 1976 amateur draft
; however, he did not sign. In 1977 he was drafted again by the Yankees in the 21st round. He then went on to play for the former Yankees Class AAA organization, the Columbus Clippers
. On March 31, 1981 Welsh was involved in a six-man trade with Ruppert Jones
, Joe Lefebvre
, and Tim Lollar
to the San Diego Padres
for Jerry Mumphrey
and John Pacella
. In his rookie season with the Padres in 1981, Welsh pitched 123.7 innings while compiling a 6-7 record and a 3.78 ERA. He had 4 complete games, 2 of which were shutouts. After two years with the Padres, he was purchased by the Montreal Expos
. He was then traded on November 7, 1984 to the Texas Rangers
for Dave Hostetler
. With the Rangers he posted a 2-5 record with an ERA of 4.13. On April 4, 1986 Welsh signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Reds
, and it is with the Reds he ended his Major League playing career.
Welsh was known for an unusual pitching delivery in which he would "straight-arm" the ball; i.e., extend his left arm and pitch the ball sidearm with the arm almost completely straight, with little to no bending of his elbow. During his career, Welsh earned the nickname, "The Crafty Left-Hander", a moniker that Reds' TV play-by-play announcer Thom Brenneman uses to refer to Welsh from time to time.
, teaming with long-time sportscaster George Grande
until Grande's retirement in 2009 to form the longest-running TV broadcasting partnership in team history. He commonly jokes about his playing career being nothing more than mediocre during broadcasts. He is also known as "The Crafty Left-hander" due to his unconventional throwing motion.
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
, Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
) 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...
pitcher and a current sportscaster
Sportscaster
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
for 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....
. He was a left-hander with a career ERA of 4.45 and career win/loss record of 22-31. He graduated from St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, in 1973, and later graduated from the University of South Florida
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
where he played baseball under coach Robin Roberts, whom he often mentions in his commentary.
Playing career
Chris Welsh was first drafted by the New York YankeesNew 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 their worst statistical year, looking for a pitcher to drive them to the World Series,in the 24th round of the 1976 amateur draft
1976 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The 1976 Arizona State University team, considered by many to be the best collegiate team ever, played a major role in the draft. Floyd Bannister was picked number one...
; however, he did not sign. In 1977 he was drafted again by the Yankees in the 21st round. He then went on to play for the former Yankees Class AAA organization, the Columbus Clippers
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....
. On March 31, 1981 Welsh was involved in a six-man trade with Ruppert Jones
Ruppert Jones
Ruppert Sanderson Jones is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers and California Angels...
, Joe Lefebvre
Joe Lefebvre
Joseph Henry Lefebvre is a former American professional baseball player and coach. He played all or part of six seasons in Major League Baseball with the New York Yankees , San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies , primarily as an outfielder...
, and Tim Lollar
Tim Lollar
William Timothy Lollar is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of seven seasons in Major League Baseball from 1980-86 for the New York Yankees , San Diego Padres , Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox , primarily as a starting pitcher.- Early career :Lollar played...
to the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
for Jerry Mumphrey
Jerry Mumphrey
Jerry Wayne Mumphrey is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the St. Louis Cardinals , San Diego Padres , New York Yankees , Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs ....
and John Pacella
John Pacella
John Lewis Pacella was a Major League Baseball pitcher from to for the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, and Detroit Tigers. Pacella had such an unusual delivery that at times his cap would fall off after a pitch.From Brooklyn, Pacella moved to Suffolk County...
. In his rookie season with the Padres in 1981, Welsh pitched 123.7 innings while compiling a 6-7 record and a 3.78 ERA. He had 4 complete games, 2 of which were shutouts. After two years with the Padres, he was purchased by the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
. He was then traded on November 7, 1984 to the Texas Rangers
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...
for Dave Hostetler
Dave Hostetler
David Alan Hostetler is a retired first baseman/designated hitter who played for the Montreal Expos, Texas Rangers, and Pittsburgh Pirates...
. With the Rangers he posted a 2-5 record with an ERA of 4.13. On April 4, 1986 Welsh signed as a free agent 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....
, and it is with the Reds he ended his Major League playing career.
Welsh was known for an unusual pitching delivery in which he would "straight-arm" the ball; i.e., extend his left arm and pitch the ball sidearm with the arm almost completely straight, with little to no bending of his elbow. During his career, Welsh earned the nickname, "The Crafty Left-Hander", a moniker that Reds' TV play-by-play announcer Thom Brenneman uses to refer to Welsh from time to time.
Broadcasting career
Welsh has been the TV color analyst for Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds since 1993 for Fox Sports Net OhioFox Sports Net Ohio
Fox Sports Ohio , formerly FSN Ohio and SportsChannel Ohio, is a regional sports network based in Ohio and owned and operated affiliate of Fox Sports Net...
, teaming with long-time sportscaster George Grande
George Grande
George Grande is an American sportscaster who hosted the very first broadcast of SportsCenter on ESPN in 1979.-Early life and career:He graduated from the University of Southern California in 1969, where he won the 1968 College World Series...
until Grande's retirement in 2009 to form the longest-running TV broadcasting partnership in team history. He commonly jokes about his playing career being nothing more than mediocre during broadcasts. He is also known as "The Crafty Left-hander" due to his unconventional throwing motion.
External links
- http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/welshch01.shtml