Dewayne Wise
Encyclopedia
Larry DeWayne Wise is an American
professional baseball
outfielder
who is a free agent. He graduated from Chapin High School in 1997
and was selected by the Cincinnati Reds
in the 5th round of the 1997 amateur draft. He is most famous for his ninth-inning catch in Mark Buehrle's perfect game
.
, in the Rule 5 Draft
without having played a game for the Reds. He made his Major League debut for the Blue Jays on April 6, 2000
. He struggled to make an impact at the big-league level, appearing in just 28 games in the 2000 season, batting a paltry .136 before being sent back to the minors.
After spending the entire 2001
season in the Toronto minor league system, Wise was recalled to the Majors in 2002
. He appeared in 42 games and hit his first home run
during this time, before being demoted largely due to his .179 batting average
.
season, which he spent entirely in Syracuse, the Blue Jays' AAA affiliate. On October 25, 2003
, Wise signed as a minor league free agent with the Atlanta Braves
. He impressed in the Braves' minor league system, batting a combined .309 between Class-A, Class-A Advanced and AAA, earning a call up and his next shot at the big leagues. Wise batted .228 in 77 appearances for the Braves in 2004
, with 6 home run
s.
After the 2004
season Wise was placed on waivers by the Braves and claimed by the Detroit Tigers
. He spent the entire 2005
season with thée Toledo Mud Hens
, the Tigers' AAA affiliate, where he batted .234 before being released.
The next team to sign Wise was the team who had drafted him in the first place, the Cincinnati Reds
. He spent the majority of the 2006
season in Louisville
at AAA level, but he did appear in 31 games at MLB level. The Reds resigned Wise to a minor league contract for the 2007
season, which again he spent mostly in AAA, making just 5 appearances in the Majors. He was released and granted free agency on October 1, 2007
.
and signed a minor league deal on March 5, 2008
. Charlotte, the White Sox Triple-A affiliate, was the next stop on his journeyman career. He was called up the major leagues when Juan Uribe
went on the DL in May, but used sparingly before being sent back down. When Paul Konerko
, the White Sox first baseman
went on the DL in late July, Wise was selected for promotion, due to his .319 batting average in Charlotte, ahead of Sox prospect Jerry Owens
.
Wise was used mostly as a reserve outfielder/defensive replacement for Ken Griffey Jr., but impressed at the plate, hitting .288 with two homers and seven RBI in 35 games before straining his adductor muscle
and going on the DL August 25. Wise's big break came when White Sox All-Star left fielder Carlos Quentin
fractured his wrist after fouling off a pitch on September 5. Quentin would miss the rest of the season, Wise was taken off the DL and figured to see more playing time taking Quentin's position in left field.
The White Sox were locked in a tight race for the AL Central with the Minnesota Twins
and Wise centainly contributed to the Sox eventually winning the division (after a one-game play-off). He picked the perfect moment to hit his first career grand slam
, a go-ahead, pinch-hit shot in the eighth inning to beat the Detroit Tigers
11-7 on September 14, .
The Sox made the postseason where they lost to the Tampa Bay Rays
in four games. Wise batted .286 with a homer and 5 RBI in the ALDS
.
as the White Sox opening day center fielder
and leadoff hitter
for the 2009 season after impressing during spring training. However, just seven games into the season, he separated his shoulder while making a spectacular diving, bases-loaded catch, saving at least two runs. The catch helped preserve a 10-6 Chicago win, but the resulting injury kept Wise on the disabled list
until early June.
On July 23, 2009, at U. S. Cellular Field, Wise was put in by Guillen as a 9th-inning defensive substitute, and promptly robbed the Rays' Gabe Kapler
of a home run with a spectacular, juggling catch, preserving Mark Buehrle's perfect game
. To thank Wise for his play Mark Buehrle
gave him a bottle of Crown Royal
XR in a cloth bag embroidered with his name and the date of the perfect game.
On July 30, 2009, the team's first home game after the perfect game, the White Sox unveiled a sign reading "The Catch" at the top of the left field wall, at the location where Wise had made his catch. Wise came into that game as a defensive replacement in the 9th and hit a game-winning single in the bottom half of that inning to give the White Sox a win over the Yankees.
on November 25, 2009, and prior to the 2010 season was assigned to their Class AAA affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs
.
In 2010, he exercised the June 1 opt-out date in his contract to become a free agent. On June 5, 2010, the Blue Jays signed outfielder DeWayne Wise to a minor league deal.
On March 30, Wise exercised his out clause after failing to make the Marlins' Opening Day roster. The Marlins released him, making him a free agent. On April 11 after the Blue Jays center fielder Rajai Davis
was placed on the 15 day DL, Wise was signed by the Blue Jays to a minor league contract. However, he was released on June 9.
He signed a minor league contract with the Florida Marlins
on June 15. He was called up on June 17. On August 26, the Blue Jays claimed Wise off waivers. Wise made his 2011 Blue Jays debut on August 29, playing center field against the Tampa Bay Rays
. On October 6, he elected free agency.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional 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...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
who is a free agent. He graduated from Chapin High School in 1997
1997 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Florida Marlins over Cleveland Indians ; Liván Hernández, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Marquis Grissom**American League Division Series*National League Championship Series MVP: Liván Hernández...
and was selected by 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 the 5th round of the 1997 amateur draft. He is most famous for his ninth-inning catch in Mark Buehrle's perfect game
Mark Buehrle's perfect game
Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox pitched a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays by retiring all 27 batters he faced on Thursday, July 23, 2009. This event took place in U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois in front of 28,036 fans in attendance...
.
Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays
Wise was claimed by the Toronto Blue Jays on December 13, 19991999 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves ; Mariano Rivera, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Orlando Hernández**American League Division Series:*National League Championship Series MVP: Eddie Pérez...
, in the Rule 5 Draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
without having played a game for the Reds. He made his Major League debut for the Blue Jays on April 6, 2000
2000 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion - New York Yankees*Postseason - October 3 to October 26Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
. He struggled to make an impact at the big-league level, appearing in just 28 games in the 2000 season, batting a paltry .136 before being sent back to the minors.
After spending the entire 2001
2001 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion - Arizona Diamondbacks*Postseason - October 9 to November 4Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
season in the Toronto minor league system, Wise was recalled to the Majors in 2002
2002 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion - Anaheim Angels*Postseason - October 1 to October 27Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
. He appeared in 42 games and hit his first 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...
during this time, before being demoted largely due to his .179 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 :...
.
Atlanta Braves and Return to Cincinnati
He became a free agent after the 20032003 in baseball
-Headline event of the year:*The Florida Marlins become World Series champions, holding off a dynastic New York Yankees team, 4 games to 2.-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion - Florida Marlins...
season, which he spent entirely in Syracuse, the Blue Jays' AAA affiliate. On October 25, 2003
2003 in baseball
-Headline event of the year:*The Florida Marlins become World Series champions, holding off a dynastic New York Yankees team, 4 games to 2.-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion - Florida Marlins...
, Wise signed as a minor league free agent with the 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....
. He impressed in the Braves' minor league system, batting a combined .309 between Class-A, Class-A Advanced and AAA, earning a call up and his next shot at the big leagues. Wise batted .228 in 77 appearances for the Braves in 2004
2004 in baseball
-Headline events of the year:*The Boston Red Sox win their first World Series since , ending the Curse of the Bambino.*With 262 hits, Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners breaks George Sisler's record of 257. Suzuki also sets the record for most singles in a season, with 225.*2004 also marked the final...
, with 6 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.
After the 2004
2004 in baseball
-Headline events of the year:*The Boston Red Sox win their first World Series since , ending the Curse of the Bambino.*With 262 hits, Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners breaks George Sisler's record of 257. Suzuki also sets the record for most singles in a season, with 225.*2004 also marked the final...
season Wise was placed on waivers by the Braves and claimed 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...
. He spent the entire 2005
2005 in baseball
-Headline events of the year:*Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros to win the 2005 World Series.*2005 also marked the inaugural season of the Washington Nationals, who relocated from Montreal and were formerly known as the Expos....
season with thée Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
, the Tigers' AAA affiliate, where he batted .234 before being released.
The next team to sign Wise was the team who had drafted him in the first place, 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 spent the majority of the 2006
2006 in baseball
-Headline Event of the Year:*The 2006 World Baseball Classic final 4 teams are Japan, Cuba, Korea and the Dominican Republic, with the United States at 3–3 failing to qualify for the semi-finals. Under the leadership of manager Sadaharu Oh and veterans Ichiro Suzuki and Daisuke Matsuzaka, Japan ...
season in Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
at AAA level, but he did appear in 31 games at MLB level. The Reds resigned Wise to a minor league contract for the 2007
2007 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion – [Boston Red Sox]*Postseason – October 2 to October 28Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
season, which again he spent mostly in AAA, making just 5 appearances in the Majors. He was released and granted free agency on October 1, 2007
2007 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion – [Boston Red Sox]*Postseason – October 2 to October 28Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
.
2008 Season
After the Reds had opted not to resign him and with offers not exactly flooding in, Wise began to explore the possibility of playing in the independent baseball leagues. He didn't have to, however, as he received a call from Chicago White SoxChicago 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...
and signed a minor league deal on March 5, 2008
2008 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:* Regular Season Champions* World Series Champions – Philadelphia Phillies** American League Champions – Tampa Bay Rays** National League Champions – Philadelphia Phillies* Postseason – October 1 to October 29...
. Charlotte, the White Sox Triple-A affiliate, was the next stop on his journeyman career. He was called up the major leagues when Juan Uribe
Juan Uribe
Juan C. Uribe Tena is a Dominican Republic professional baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He began his career in 1997 when he was signed to the Colorado Rockies, and played with the team until December 3, 2003 when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox...
went on the DL in May, but used sparingly before being sent back down. When Paul Konerko
Paul Konerko
Paul Henry Konerko is an American professional baseball first baseman who has played for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball since 1999. He previously played with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds . Konerko helped the Chicago White Sox win the 2005 World Series, the...
, the White Sox first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
went on the DL in late July, Wise was selected for promotion, due to his .319 batting average in Charlotte, ahead of Sox prospect Jerry Owens
Jerry Owens
Jerry Lee Owens is a Major League Baseball center fielder who is currently a free agent. He played most of the season with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights of the International League, but was called up and made his major league debut as a pinch runner on September 11...
.
Wise was used mostly as a reserve outfielder/defensive replacement for Ken Griffey Jr., but impressed at the plate, hitting .288 with two homers and seven RBI in 35 games before straining his adductor muscle
Adductor muscle
- Humans :* Adductor muscles of the hip, the most common reference in humans, but may also refer to** Adductor brevis muscle, a muscle in the thigh situated immediately behind the pectineus and adductor longus...
and going on the DL August 25. Wise's big break came when White Sox All-Star left fielder Carlos Quentin
Carlos Quentin
Carlos Josè Quentin is an American outfielder who plays for the Chicago White Sox. In 2008 and in 2011, Quentin was selected as an All-Star.-Early career:...
fractured his wrist after fouling off a pitch on September 5. Quentin would miss the rest of the season, Wise was taken off the DL and figured to see more playing time taking Quentin's position in left field.
The White Sox were locked in a tight race for the AL Central with the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
and Wise centainly contributed to the Sox eventually winning the division (after a one-game play-off). He picked the perfect moment to hit his first career grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
, a go-ahead, pinch-hit shot in the eighth inning to beat 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...
11-7 on September 14, .
The Sox made the postseason where they lost to the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
in four games. Wise batted .286 with a homer and 5 RBI in the ALDS
2008 American League Division Series
-Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago White Sox:-Game 1, October 1:Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CaliforniaIn a re-match of last year's ALDS, starters Jon Lester and John Lackey were sharp early on, each tossing a couple of scoreless innings. The Angels finally got on the board in the third, when...
.
2009 Season
The White Sox and Wise agreed to a one-year deal worth $550,000 after he had batted .248 with six homers and 18 RBI in 57 games in 2008. Wise was named by manager Ozzie GuillénOzzie Guillén
Oswaldo José "Ozzie" Guillén Barrios is a Venezuelan-American former Major League Baseball player and current manager of the Miami Marlins. He managed the Chicago White Sox from 2004 to 2011 before asking for his release at the end of the 2011 season....
as the White Sox opening day center fielder
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
and leadoff hitter
Leadoff hitter
In baseball, a leadoff hitter is a batter who bats first in the lineup. It can also refer to any batter who bats first in an inning.- Strategy :...
for the 2009 season after impressing during spring training. However, just seven games into the season, he separated his shoulder while making a spectacular diving, bases-loaded catch, saving at least two runs. The catch helped preserve a 10-6 Chicago win, but the resulting injury kept Wise on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
until early June.
On July 23, 2009, at U. S. Cellular Field, Wise was put in by Guillen as a 9th-inning defensive substitute, and promptly robbed the Rays' Gabe Kapler
Gabe Kapler
Gabriel "Gabe" Stefan Kapler is an American Major League Baseball outfielder.He has played portions of 13 seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Tampa Bay Rays...
of a home run with a spectacular, juggling catch, preserving Mark Buehrle's perfect game
Mark Buehrle's perfect game
Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox pitched a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays by retiring all 27 batters he faced on Thursday, July 23, 2009. This event took place in U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois in front of 28,036 fans in attendance...
. To thank Wise for his play Mark Buehrle
Mark Buehrle
Mark Alan Buehrle is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He has pitched his entire baseball career for the Chicago White Sox, starting the opening game every season from 2002 to 2006 and again from 2008 to 2011....
gave him a bottle of Crown Royal
Crown Royal
Crown Royal is a blended Canadian whisky, 40% alcohol by volume, 80 proof. The brand is currently owned by Diageo, who purchased it when the Seagram portfolio was dissolved in the year 2000. It is the top-selling Canadian whisky in the United States....
XR in a cloth bag embroidered with his name and the date of the perfect game.
On July 30, 2009, the team's first home game after the perfect game, the White Sox unveiled a sign reading "The Catch" at the top of the left field wall, at the location where Wise had made his catch. Wise came into that game as a defensive replacement in the 9th and hit a game-winning single in the bottom half of that inning to give the White Sox a win over the Yankees.
2010 season
On October 9, Wise opted for free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment to Class AAA Charlotte. He signed with the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
on November 25, 2009, and prior to the 2010 season was assigned to their Class AAA affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs
Lehigh Valley IronPigs
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are a minor league baseball team that plays in the International League. The IronPigs are the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. The team plays their home games at Coca-Cola Park, which is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania...
.
In 2010, he exercised the June 1 opt-out date in his contract to become a free agent. On June 5, 2010, the Blue Jays signed outfielder DeWayne Wise to a minor league deal.
2011 season
On January 12, 2011, the Florida Marlins signed Wise with an invitation to spring training.On March 30, Wise exercised his out clause after failing to make the Marlins' Opening Day roster. The Marlins released him, making him a free agent. On April 11 after the Blue Jays center fielder Rajai Davis
Rajai Davis
Rajai Davis [RAH-jay] is an American professional baseball center fielder with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball....
was placed on the 15 day DL, Wise was signed by the Blue Jays to a minor league contract. However, he was released on June 9.
He signed a minor league contract with the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
on June 15. He was called up on June 17. On August 26, the Blue Jays claimed Wise off waivers. Wise made his 2011 Blue Jays debut on August 29, playing center field against the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
. On October 6, he elected free agency.
External links
- Wise brings no baggage
- MLB.com video of Wise's catch to preserve Mark BuehrleMark BuehrleMark Alan Buehrle is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He has pitched his entire baseball career for the Chicago White Sox, starting the opening game every season from 2002 to 2006 and again from 2008 to 2011....
's perfect gamePerfect gameA perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...