Edwin Jackson
Encyclopedia
Edwin Jackson is an American professional baseball
pitcher
.
. Jackson attended Shaw High School
in Columbus, Georgia
from 1997–2001. While attending Shaw High School, Jackson played outfield for the Raider baseball team. His Senior year, Jackson helped lead the Raiders baseball team to the 2001 GHSA AAAA State Championship title over Columbus High School in Columbus, Georgia.
/ref> of the 2001 MLB entry draft out of Shaw
High School in Columbus. He was originally drafted as an outfielder but was quickly converted into a pitcher by the Dodgers.
and Lance Carter
.
In 2006, Jackson pitched in 23 games, mostly in middle relief, and posted a 5.45 ERA in 36⅓ innings.
In 2007, Jackson became a full-time starter for the Rays. He began the season poorly, going 1–9 with a 7.23 ERA in 17 games over 74⅔ innings. Jackson managed to rebound somewhat after the All-Star break, posting a 4–6 record and a 4.48 ERA over 15 games, all of them starts. His season highlight came in a start against the Texas Rangers
on August 11, in which he recorded a complete game shutout, allowing only four hits and one walk while striking out eight. Jackson finished the season with a 5–15 record and an ERA of 5.76.
In 2008, Jackson assumed the number four spot in the Rays' starting rotation out of spring training. He finished the season with a 4.42 ERA. Jackson tied with James Shields to lead the Rays with 14 victories, which also tied the record for most wins by a Rays pitcher.
in exchange for outfielder Matt Joyce
.
Jackson made his Tigers debut on April 7, 2009, against the Toronto Blue Jays
. He allowed one run in 7⅓ innings, and received a no decision in Detroit's 5–4 loss. He earned his first victory with Detroit on April 18 against the Seattle Mariners
, pitching 7⅔ scoreless innings.
Jackson was selected to represent Detroit in the 2009 All-Star Game
along with teammates Curtis Granderson
, Justin Verlander
, and Brandon Inge
. He pitched a scoreless fifth inning for the AL, retiring Yadier Molina
, Ryan Zimmerman
, and Hanley Ramírez
on four pitches.
As of the end of July, opposing batters were hitting .216 against him, which was the lowest batting average in the league; he was followed by Matt Garza
(.222), Jarrod Washburn
(.224), and Scott Feldman
(.228).
Jackson is one of a minority of MLB starting pitchers who relies almost exclusively on two pitches, a mid-90's fastball and an effective power slider.
, Phil Coke
, Max Scherzer
, and Daniel Schlereth
to the Tigers. Jackson hit his second Major League home run off Jack Taschner
against the Pittsburgh Pirates
on April 11, 2010.
On June 25, 2010, Jackson no-hit
his former team, the Tampa Bay Rays, 1–0, at Tropicana Field
. It was only the second no-hitter in Diamondbacks' history, the other being Randy Johnson's perfect game
on May 18, 2004. It was also the fourth of the 2010 season, and the third time the Tampa Bay Rays
have been no-hit in less than 12 months. Jackson had a very rough start to the game, walking a total of eight batters as well as hitting B.J. Upton with a pitch. Overall, Jackson allowed nine batters on base and got out of a bases loaded jam in the 3rd inning. Mark Reynolds
, Tony Abreu
, and Adam LaRoche
(whose second-inning home run accounted for the game's only run) helped Jackson as they provided impressive defense. He threw 149 pitches in the entire game. Jackson became the first German-born pitcher to throw a no-hitter, the first African American
to do so since Dwight Gooden
in 1996, and the first African American to do so for a National League
team since Bob Gibson
in 1971.
for Daniel Hudson and David Holmberg.
When the Diamondbacks traded Jackson to the White Sox he became the first pitcher in the Majors to be traded away in the same season that he pitched a no-hitter since Cliff Chambers
pitched a no-hitter for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Boston Braves
in 1951
.
with Mark Teahen
for Jason Frasor
and Zach Stewart. Jackson was then traded about two hours later to the St. Louis Cardinals. Edwin Jackson never played in a game with Toronto.
along with Octavio Dotel
, Marc Rzepczynski
and Corey Patterson
for Colby Rasmus
, P. J. Walters
, Trever Miller
and Brian Tallet
.
On July 29, 2011, Edwin Jackson pitched his first game as a Cardinal and threw 7 strong innings, leading St. Louis to a blowout win over their rivals the Chicago Cubs.
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...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
.
Early life
Jackson's father, Edwin Jackson, Sr., a military cook, was stationed in Germany at the time of his birth. Jackson is one of 27 major league players who were born in Germany. He spent the first eight years of his life in Germany until spending the rest of his youth in Columbus, GeorgiaColumbus, Georgia
Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Muscogee County, Georgia, United States, with which it is consolidated. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 189,885. It is the principal city of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area, which, in 2009, had an estimated population of 292,795...
. Jackson attended Shaw High School
Shaw High School (Georgia)
William Henry Shaw High School is located in Columbus, Georgia and is one of the newer high schools in the area. It opened in 1978 at its present location in the Northern Columbus area. Students began attending classes in September of the same year. Shaw High School is named in honor of former...
in Columbus, Georgia
Columbus, Georgia
Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Muscogee County, Georgia, United States, with which it is consolidated. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 189,885. It is the principal city of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area, which, in 2009, had an estimated population of 292,795...
from 1997–2001. While attending Shaw High School, Jackson played outfield for the Raider baseball team. His Senior year, Jackson helped lead the Raiders baseball team to the 2001 GHSA AAAA State Championship title over Columbus High School in Columbus, Georgia.
/ref> of the 2001 MLB entry draft out of Shaw
Shaw High School (Georgia)
William Henry Shaw High School is located in Columbus, Georgia and is one of the newer high schools in the area. It opened in 1978 at its present location in the Northern Columbus area. Students began attending classes in September of the same year. Shaw High School is named in honor of former...
High School in Columbus. He was originally drafted as an outfielder but was quickly converted into a pitcher by the Dodgers.
Tampa Bay Rays
On January 14, 2006, Jackson and left-handed pitcher Chuck Tiffany were traded to Tampa Bay for pitchers Danys BaezDanys Báez
Danys Báez González is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Báez has previously played for the Cleveland Indians , Tampa Bay Devil Rays , Los Angeles Dodgers , Atlanta Braves , Baltimore Orioles , and Philadelphia Phillies .-Cleveland Indians:Báez was signed by the Cleveland...
and Lance Carter
Lance Carter
Lance David Carter is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He has pitched in Major League Baseball with the Kansas City Royals Tampa Bay Devil Rays , and Los Angeles Dodgers . He bats and throws right-handed...
.
In 2006, Jackson pitched in 23 games, mostly in middle relief, and posted a 5.45 ERA in 36⅓ innings.
In 2007, Jackson became a full-time starter for the Rays. He began the season poorly, going 1–9 with a 7.23 ERA in 17 games over 74⅔ innings. Jackson managed to rebound somewhat after the All-Star break, posting a 4–6 record and a 4.48 ERA over 15 games, all of them starts. His season highlight came in a start against 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...
on August 11, in which he recorded a complete game shutout, allowing only four hits and one walk while striking out eight. Jackson finished the season with a 5–15 record and an ERA of 5.76.
In 2008, Jackson assumed the number four spot in the Rays' starting rotation out of spring training. He finished the season with a 4.42 ERA. Jackson tied with James Shields to lead the Rays with 14 victories, which also tied the record for most wins by a Rays pitcher.
Detroit Tigers
On December 10, 2008, Jackson was traded to the Detroit TigersDetroit 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...
in exchange for outfielder Matt Joyce
Matt Joyce (baseball)
Matthew R. Joyce is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays.-Early life:Joyce began his career at North Brandon Little League in Brandon, Florida....
.
Jackson made his Tigers debut on April 7, 2009, against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. He allowed one run in 7⅓ innings, and received a no decision in Detroit's 5–4 loss. He earned his first victory with Detroit on April 18 against the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
, pitching 7⅔ scoreless innings.
Jackson was selected to represent Detroit in the 2009 All-Star Game
2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 80th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 14, 2009, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, the home of the...
along with teammates Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player...
, Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander
Justin Brooks Verlander is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball....
, and Brandon Inge
Brandon Inge
Charles Brandon Inge is an American professional baseball infielder for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
. He pitched a scoreless fifth inning for the AL, retiring Yadier Molina
Yadier Molina
Yadier Benjamin Molina known affectionately by fans as "Yadi", is a Major League Baseball catcher who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.Molina was the third catcher to play in two World Series before age 25, along with Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra. He is considered one of the best defensive...
, Ryan Zimmerman
Ryan Zimmerman
Ryan Wallace Zimmerman is a Major League Baseball third baseman with the Washington Nationals. A 6-foot 3-inch player from the University of Virginia and Kellam High School, Zimmerman has been a member of the Nationals since his debut on September 1, 2005...
, and Hanley Ramírez
Hanley Ramirez
Hanley Ramirez is a shortstop in Major League Baseball for the Miami Marlins. Ramírez was named 2006 NL Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America. In 2009, Ramírez won the NL batting title and is a three-time All-Star starter...
on four pitches.
As of the end of July, opposing batters were hitting .216 against him, which was the lowest batting average in the league; he was followed by Matt Garza
Matt Garza
Matthew Scott Garza is a United States professional baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball.-Amateur career:He attended Washington Union High School and Fresno State.-Minnesota Twins:...
(.222), Jarrod Washburn
Jarrod Washburn
Jarrod Michael Washburn is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and currently resides in his hometown of Webster, Wisconsin.-High school / college:...
(.224), and Scott Feldman
Scott Feldman
Scott Feldman was a news anchor for News 12 Long Island for 22 years.-Early life:Feldman was born in St. Louis, Missouri, graduated from the University of Denver in 1971. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves and National Guard....
(.228).
Jackson is one of a minority of MLB starting pitchers who relies almost exclusively on two pitches, a mid-90's fastball and an effective power slider.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On December 9, 2009 Jackson was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of a three team trade that brought Austin JacksonAustin Jackson
Austin Jarrell Jackson is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball...
, Phil Coke
Phil Coke
Phillip "Phil" Douglas Coke is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. Coke was born in Sonora, California-College:Coke attended San Joaquin Delta College...
, Max Scherzer
Max Scherzer
Maxwell M. "Max" Scherzer is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona.-Early life:...
, and Daniel Schlereth
Daniel Schlereth
Daniel Robert Schlereth is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers.-Early years:Schlereth was born in Anchorage, Alaska, before moving to Highlands Ranch, Colorado. He is a graduate of Highlands Ranch High School. During his senior year, he struck out a school record 19 batters in a...
to the Tigers. Jackson hit his second Major League home run off Jack Taschner
Jack Taschner
Jack Gerard Taschner is a left-handed relief pitcher, who is currently a police officer for the City of Appleton, Wisconsin.-Early career:...
against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
on April 11, 2010.
On June 25, 2010, Jackson no-hit
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
his former team, the Tampa Bay Rays, 1–0, at Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field is a domed stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, which has been the home of Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays since the team's inaugural season in 1998, when they were the Devil Rays. It has also served as the host stadium for the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl, an NCAA-sanctioned college...
. It was only the second no-hitter in Diamondbacks' history, the other being Randy Johnson's perfect game
Randy Johnson's perfect game
On May 18, 2004, Randy Johnson, who was a member of the Major League Baseball Arizona Diamondbacks at the time, pitched a perfect game against the Atlanta Braves. The game took place at Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia in front of a crowd of 23,381 people...
on May 18, 2004. It was also the fourth of the 2010 season, and the third time 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...
have been no-hit in less than 12 months. Jackson had a very rough start to the game, walking a total of eight batters as well as hitting B.J. Upton with a pitch. Overall, Jackson allowed nine batters on base and got out of a bases loaded jam in the 3rd inning. Mark Reynolds
Mark Reynolds (baseball)
Mark Andrew Reynolds is a third baseman/first baseman in Major League Baseball who plays for the Baltimore Orioles. He is known both for his power-hitting abilities and for his record-breaking strike out totals...
, Tony Abreu
Tony Abreu
Etanislao Toni "Tony" Abreu [ah-BREH-yu] is a Major League second and third baseman currently in the Kansas City Royals organization. He is a switch-hitter and throws right-handed....
, and Adam LaRoche
Adam LaRoche
David Adam LaRoche , is a Major League Baseball first baseman. In 2011, the Washington Nationals signed him to a two-year deal...
(whose second-inning home run accounted for the game's only run) helped Jackson as they provided impressive defense. He threw 149 pitches in the entire game. Jackson became the first German-born pitcher to throw a no-hitter, the first African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
to do so since Dwight Gooden
Dwight Gooden
Dwight Eugene Gooden , nicknamed "Doc Gooden" or "Dr. K", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared pitchers in the National League in the middle and late 1980s.-Career:...
in 1996, and the first African American to do so for a National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
team since Bob Gibson
Bob Gibson
Robert "Bob" Gibson is a retired American professional baseball player. Nicknamed "Hoot" and "Gibby", he was a right-handed pitcher who played his entire 17-year Major League Baseball career with St. Louis Cardinals...
in 1971.
Chicago White Sox
On July 30, 2010, the Diamondbacks traded Jackson to the 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...
for Daniel Hudson and David Holmberg.
When the Diamondbacks traded Jackson to the White Sox he became the first pitcher in the Majors to be traded away in the same season that he pitched a no-hitter since Cliff Chambers
Cliff Chambers
Clifford Day Chambers , was a former professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1948-1953. He played for the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St...
pitched a no-hitter for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Boston 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....
in 1951
1951 in baseball
-Headline Event of the Year:Baseball's Shot Heard 'Round the World gives the New York Giants the National League Pennant in the third game of a best-of-three-games tiebreaker series over the Brooklyn Dodgers.-Major League Baseball:...
.
Toronto Blue Jays
On July 27, 2011, Jackson was traded to the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
with Mark Teahen
Mark Teahen
Mark Thomas Teahen is an American-Canadian professional baseball infielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball....
for Jason Frasor
Jason Frasor
Jason Andrew Frasor is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball. He made his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in , and he had a 4.08 ERA in 63 games....
and Zach Stewart. Jackson was then traded about two hours later to the St. Louis Cardinals. Edwin Jackson never played in a game with Toronto.
St. Louis Cardinals
Jackson was traded to the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
along with Octavio Dotel
Octavio Dotel
Octavio Eduardo Dotel is a Domincan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent....
, Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Walter Rzepczynski is an American professional baseball left-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.The Toronto Blue Jays blogosphere gave Rzepczynski the nickname "Scrabble".-Amateur career:...
and Corey Patterson
Corey Patterson
Donald Corey Patterson is an American professional baseball free agent outfielder in Major League Baseball. He is the older brother of outfielder Eric Patterson.-Amateur career:...
for Colby Rasmus
Colby Rasmus
Colby Ryan Rasmus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-Early years:...
, P. J. Walters
P. J. Walters
Phillip DeWayne "P. J." Walters is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-Personal life:Walters was born March 12, 1985, in Dothan, Alabama. He is married to Brittney....
, Trever Miller
Trever Miller
Trever Douglas Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-High school:...
and Brian Tallet
Brian Tallet
Brian Curtis Tallet is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He stands 6' 6" in height. Brian Tallet pitched for the LSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000....
.
On July 29, 2011, Edwin Jackson pitched his first game as a Cardinal and threw 7 strong innings, leading St. Louis to a blowout win over their rivals the Chicago Cubs.