Franklyn Germán
Encyclopedia
Franklyn Miguel Germán Madé (born January 20, 1980 in San Cristóbal
, Dominican Republic
) is a right-handed relief pitcher
who is currently a Free Agent
. He is a particularly large man for a pitcher, standing 6 ft 7 in (2.04 m) tall and weighing 298 lb (135.2 kg), which lends him a degree of batter intimidation, like most taller-than-average pitchers possess.
His pitch arsenal includes a blazing, 100+ mph fastball
, and a very effective offspeed pitch due to his large stature. He works mostly in middle relief and sometimes as a set-up man for the team's closer, although many baseball pundits expect that he will become a closer himself within the next few seasons.
on July 5, , in a three-team trade between the Tigers, Oakland Athletics
, and New York Yankees
. Germán, first baseman
Carlos Peña
, and pitcher Jeremy Bonderman
were traded by Oakland to Detroit in exchange for pitcher Jeff Weaver
, whom Oakland then traded to New York for pitcher Ted Lilly
, outfielder John-Ford Griffin
, and minor league pitcher Jason Arnold. Germán never played for Oakland, though he did spend -2002 in their rookie league, SIngle-A, and Double-A minor league affiliates before being traded.
During his rookie season , he was known for his questionable ability to get batters out and as a result was generally unpopular with Detroit Tigers fans. Accordingly, he was subject to large amounts of criticism from the long-suffering Tigers fans, who at the time had not seen their team finish with a winning record since .
, who were regarded to possess Major League
talent, but frequently suffered from insufficient run support on a team in the midst of having the worst season in American League
history—that year, the Tigers set a new record for total losses (119), eclipsing the previous record (117) held by the Philadelphia Athletics. After spending much of the season on the Tigers' Triple-A minor league team, the Toledo Mud Hens
, his form on the mound improved greatly, and he made the Tigers' opening day roster.
After a mediocre spring training in , the Tigers left Germán unprotected on the waiver wire by designating him for another assignment to Toledo
. He did not clear waivers, however, and on April 4, 2006, he was claimed off waivers by the Florida Marlins
, and earned a spot on their opening day roster.
Germán became a free agent
after the 2006 season, and on November 17, 2006, signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers
.
Germán pitched in the Rangers season opener against the Seattle Mariners
on March 31, 2008. It was the first time Germán had pitched outside the minors since 2006. He was designated for assignment by the Rangers on May 21, 2008, and on May 30 declined a minor-league assignment and became a free agent.
On June 4, 2008, Germán signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was traded to the Chicago White Sox
on August 11, and assigned to Triple-A Charlotte. He became a free agent at the end of the season and re-signed with the Chicago White Sox. On July 10, 2009 German was released by the Chicago White Sox
.
Germán usually plays for Leones del Escogido
in the Dominican Winter Baseball League, and played for the World Team during the 2002 All-Star Futures Game
, which was won, 5-1, by the World Team.
Germán is pronounced using the soft Spanish
G, making his surname sound like Hairmon when spoken. His Marlins uniform did not include the accent mark over the a, so many spectators unaware of the mechanics of the Spanish language refer to him as German, as if referring to someone from Germany
.
San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic
San Cristóbal is a municipality and the capital of the San Cristóbal province in the Dominican Republic. Within the municipality there is one municipal district : Hato Damas.-Sectors:*5 de abril*Canastica*El Pomier...
, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
) is a right-handed 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...
who is currently a Free Agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He is a particularly large man for a pitcher, standing 6 ft 7 in (2.04 m) tall and weighing 298 lb (135.2 kg), which lends him a degree of batter intimidation, like most taller-than-average pitchers possess.
His pitch arsenal includes a blazing, 100+ mph fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
, and a very effective offspeed pitch due to his large stature. He works mostly in middle relief and sometimes as a set-up man for the team's closer, although many baseball pundits expect that he will become a closer himself within the next few seasons.
Early career
Germán was acquired by 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...
on July 5, , in a three-team trade between the Tigers, Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, and 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...
. Germán, 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...
Carlos Peña
Carlos Peña
Carlos Felipe Peña is a Dominican professional baseball left-handed first baseman. He played previously with the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs.Although he was born in Santo Domingo and his family is from San Francisco de Macorís,...
, and pitcher Jeremy Bonderman
Jeremy Bonderman
Jeremy Allen Bonderman is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who currently is a free agent. Bonderman is six feet and two inches tall and weighs 220 pounds. He bats and throws right-handed...
were traded by Oakland to Detroit in exchange for pitcher Jeff Weaver
Jeff Weaver
Jeffrey Charles Weaver is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has pitched in the majors for the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, St. Louis Cardinals, and Seattle Mariners...
, whom Oakland then traded to New York for pitcher Ted Lilly
Ted Lilly
Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Lilly III , is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He bats and throws left-handed...
, outfielder John-Ford Griffin
John-Ford Griffin
John-Ford David Griffin is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.-Early life:An All-State athlete at Sarasota High School, was part of a state championship team in 1996 for the Sailors. Griffin played college baseball under head coach Mike Martin for the Florida State University Seminoles from...
, and minor league pitcher Jason Arnold. Germán never played for Oakland, though he did spend -2002 in their rookie league, SIngle-A, and Double-A minor league affiliates before being traded.
During his rookie season , he was known for his questionable ability to get batters out and as a result was generally unpopular with Detroit Tigers fans. Accordingly, he was subject to large amounts of criticism from the long-suffering Tigers fans, who at the time had not seen their team finish with a winning record since .
Current career
Germán's inconsistency on the mound was in contrast to the Tigers' two primary starters at the time, Bonderman and lefty Mike MarothMike Maroth
Michael Warren Maroth is a former American Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Born in Orlando, Florida, and after attending the University of Central Florida, the left-handed Maroth made his Major League debut in for the Detroit Tigers.-Early career:A third-round pick in the draft, Maroth...
, who were regarded to possess Major League
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...
talent, but frequently suffered from insufficient run support on a team in the midst of having the worst season in American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
history—that year, the Tigers set a new record for total losses (119), eclipsing the previous record (117) held by the Philadelphia Athletics. After spending much of the season on the Tigers' Triple-A minor league team, the 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...
, his form on the mound improved greatly, and he made the Tigers' opening day roster.
After a mediocre spring training in , the Tigers left Germán unprotected on the waiver wire by designating him for another assignment to Toledo
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
. He did not clear waivers, however, and on April 4, 2006, he was claimed off waivers by 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...
, and earned a spot on their opening day roster.
Germán became a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
after the 2006 season, and on November 17, 2006, signed a minor league contract with 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...
.
Germán pitched in the Rangers season opener 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...
on March 31, 2008. It was the first time Germán had pitched outside the minors since 2006. He was designated for assignment by the Rangers on May 21, 2008, and on May 30 declined a minor-league assignment and became a free agent.
On June 4, 2008, Germán signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was traded to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago 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...
on August 11, and assigned to Triple-A Charlotte. He became a free agent at the end of the season and re-signed with the Chicago White Sox. On July 10, 2009 German was released by the Chicago White Sox
Chicago 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...
.
Personal life
Germán is married and has one child with his wife, Luisa. They spend their off-seasons residing in Palenque, Dominican RepublicGermán usually plays for Leones del Escogido
Leones del Escogido
Leones del Escogido are a professional baseball team in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Established in , Leones are the third most successful teams from the Dominican Winter League, behind Tigres del Licey and Aguilas Cibaeñas, having won 13 national championships and 3 Caribbean Series.Leones...
in the Dominican Winter Baseball League, and played for the World Team during the 2002 All-Star Futures Game
All-Star Futures Game
The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game between a team of top minor league prospects from the United States and a team of prospects from other parts of the World...
, which was won, 5-1, by the World Team.
Germán is pronounced using the soft Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
G, making his surname sound like Hairmon when spoken. His Marlins uniform did not include the accent mark over the a, so many spectators unaware of the mechanics of the Spanish language refer to him as German, as if referring to someone from Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.