Jake Westbrook
Encyclopedia
Jacob Cauthen "Jake" Westbrook (born September 29, 1977) is an American
Major League Baseball
right-handed starting pitcher
currently with the St. Louis Cardinals
. He is known as a sinker ball
pitcher and has also hit a grand slam home run.
. His father, Cauthen, played baseball and basketball at the University of Georgia, where Jake a signed letter of intent (but never attended because he signed with the Colorado Rockies
). He has an older sister, Jill.
Westbrook attended Madison County
High School. He tossed 5 no-hitter
s and one perfect game
in his high school career. During his senior season, Westbrook was 9-1 with a 1.11 ERA
and 110 strikeouts in 63.0 innings. On March 28, 2008, Westbrook appeared at his high school alma-mater to speak and give thanks as they retired his high school #12 jersey during a home baseball game.
Westbrook married his high school sweetheart, Heather Daniels, on December 12, 1998. The couple has two sons - Jacob Parker (born September 27, 2005) and Keaton Daniels Westbrook (born November 15, 2007) - and a daughter (born September 9, 2010). They reside in Danielsville, GA. and also have a home in Germantown, TN.
. Following the draft, 18-year old Westbrook began his pro career with the Arizona Rockies
, the Rookie league affiliate of the Rockies in the Arizona League
. He pitched in 11 games in Mesa
, before moving up to the Class A-Short Season Portland Rockies
in the Northwest League
.
For the 1997 season, Westbrook promoted to the Class A Asheville Tourists
in the South Atlantic League
. He went 14-11 with a 4.29 ERA in 27 starts.
On November 18, 1997, the day after the 1997 Major League Baseball expansion draft, the Rockies traded Westbrook along with fellow minor leaguers John Nicholson and Mark Hamlin to the Montreal Expos
for infielder Mike Lansing
. The Expos assigned Westbrook to the Jupiter Hammerheads
, their Class A-Advanced affiliate in the Florida State League
. In 1998, he went 11-6 for the Hammerheads with a 3.26 ERA in 27 starts. In 1999, he went 11-5 with a 3.92 ERA in 27 starts for the Harrisburg Senators
, the Double-A club in the Eastern League.
Following three consecutive 27 start seasons, Westbrook was traded in the off-season. On December 22, 1999, the Expos traded him with two players to be named later
to the New York Yankees
for Hideki Irabu
. (Montreal Expos eventually sent Ted Lilly
(March 17, 2000) and Christian Parker
(March 22, 2000) to the Yankees to complete the trade.)
The Yankees assigned Westbrook to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers
in the International League
. He went 5-7 with an 4.65 ERA in 15 starts. In his major league debut on June 17, 2000, and his first start at Yankee Stadium for the Yankees against the Chicago White Sox
, he did not make it past the second inning. He appeared in three games for the Yankees as a rookie, two starts and once out of the bullpen, going 0-2 with a whopping 13.50 ERA.
On June 29, 2000, the Yankees traded Westbrook with fellow sinker ball pitcher Zach Day
and outfielder Ricky Ledée
to the Cleveland Indians
for outfielder/designated hitter David Justice
in their quest to eventually win the 2000 World Series
. However, Westbrook cracked a rib at some point while he was pitching, so his 2000 season was cut short.
In 2001, the Indians invited him to spring training
. He shuttled back and forth between Cleveland and Triple-A Buffalo Bisons
in the International League. He did well in Buffalo, amassing a 8-1 record in 12 starts. But he struggled with his role, going a lackluster 4-4 in Cleveland out of the bullpen and in six spot starts.
In 2002, Westbrook caught a break. He became a regular part of the Cleveland pitching staff that was in transition, as the Tribe went 74-88, finishing 3rd in American League Central Division
and getting coach Charlie Manuel sacked mid-way through the season (76 games). He also signed a three year contract with the team. For the 2003 season, Westbrook converted back to starter, going 7-10 with a 4.33 ERA, ending the year as the team's fourth starter.
Westbrook was named to the All-Star
team in , when he won
14 games with a 3.38 ERA. After becoming a full-time starter in 2004, the sinkerballer won at least 14 games in three consecutive seasons.
In 2006, he induced more double play
s (35) than any other pitcher in the majors.
In April , Westbrook signed a three-year, $33 million contract extension with the Indians, which was intended to keep him in Cleveland through the 2010 season.
After being placed on the 15 day DL
in April , Westbrook came back to pitch his first game for the Indians on May 28. After the start, Westbrook began to feel soreness in his elbow, but was optimistic that he would be able to make his next start. On June 7, 2008, the Tribe announced that he would be undergoing Tommy John Surgery
and be out of action for 10–14 months, ending his 2008 season. Westbrook also spent the entire 2009 season on the 60-day DL, still recovering from the surgery. He returned to action as the Indians' 2010 Opening Day
starter.
On July 31, 2010, Westbrook was part of a three-team trade involving the Indians, St. Louis Cardinals
, and San Diego Padres
. He went to the Cardinals along with Class A left-hand pitcher Nick Greenwood and cash, while the Tribe received Class AA right-handed pitcher Corey Kluber from San Diego. The Padres got outfielder Ryan Ludwick
. Westbrook, who had nearly $4 million remaining in his 2010 salary and another $2 million bonus because of the trade, agreed to forgo part of the bonus to make the deal happen. He was 6-7 with a 4.65 ERA in 21 starts prior to the trade.
On November 16, 2010, Westbrook and the St Louis Cardinals agreed to a two-year $16.5 million deal with a mutual 2013 option and a blanket no-trade clause. On August 31, 2011, Westbrook hit his first career home run
, a grand slam
against the Milwaukee Brewers
.
Westbrook was initially left off the Cardinals' 2011 playoff roster. However after the Cardinals' bullpen faced a heavy load in the National League Division Series
and the National League Championship Series
, Westbrook was added to the World Series Roster. Westbrook pitched in two games and recorded a win in the pivotal game six, when the Cardinals came from behind to win in extra innings while facing elimination.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
right-handed starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
currently with the St. Louis Cardinals
St. 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...
. He is known as a sinker ball
Sinker (baseball)
In baseball, a sinker , is a type of fastball pitch which has significant downward and horizontal movement. The sinker is known for inducing a lot of ground balls...
pitcher and has also hit a grand slam home run.
Early and personal life
Westbrook was born on September 29, 1977, in Athens, GeorgiaAthens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
. His father, Cauthen, played baseball and basketball at the University of Georgia, where Jake a signed letter of intent (but never attended because he signed with the 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...
). He has an older sister, Jill.
Westbrook attended Madison County
Madison County, Georgia
Madison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 5, 1811. As of 2000, the population was 25,730. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 28,012. The county seat is Danielsville....
High School. He tossed 5 no-hitter
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"...
s and one perfect game
Perfect game
A 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...
in his high school career. During his senior season, Westbrook was 9-1 with a 1.11 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...
and 110 strikeouts in 63.0 innings. On March 28, 2008, Westbrook appeared at his high school alma-mater to speak and give thanks as they retired his high school #12 jersey during a home baseball game.
Westbrook married his high school sweetheart, Heather Daniels, on December 12, 1998. The couple has two sons - Jacob Parker (born September 27, 2005) and Keaton Daniels Westbrook (born November 15, 2007) - and a daughter (born September 9, 2010). They reside in Danielsville, GA. and also have a home in Germantown, TN.
Professional career
Westbrook was a first round draft pick (21st overall) in the 1996 Major League first-year player draft by the Colorado RockiesColorado 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...
. Following the draft, 18-year old Westbrook began his pro career with the Arizona Rockies
Arizona League Rockies
The Arizona League Rockies were an Arizona League baseball team that played from 1993 to 2000. They were located in Mesa, Arizona in 1993; in Chandler, Arizona from 1994 to 1997; and in Tucson, Arizona from 1998 to 2000. They were affiliated with the Colorado Rockies.The AZL Rockies won one league...
, the Rookie league affiliate of the Rockies in the Arizona League
Arizona League
The Arizona League is a minor league baseball league that operates in and around Phoenix, Arizona. It is a rookie-level professional baseball league run by Major League Baseball since 1989. Games are played at the spring training complexes of the team's parent organizations from mid-June until the...
. He pitched in 11 games in Mesa
Mesa, Arizona
According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
, before moving up to the Class A-Short Season Portland Rockies
Portland Rockies
The Portland Rockies were a minor-league baseball team that played in Portland, Oregon from 1995-2000. They were a rookie league affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. Their name and logo mimicked the mountain theme of the Colorado club, even though Portland is not located in the Rocky Mountains...
in the Northwest League
Northwest League
The Northwest League of Professional Baseball is a Class A-Short Season minor baseball league. The league is the descendant of the Western International League which ran as a class B league from 1937-1951 and class A from 1952-1954...
.
For the 1997 season, Westbrook promoted to the Class A Asheville Tourists
Asheville Tourists
The Asheville Tourists are a minor league baseball team based in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. They play in the Class A South Atlantic League and have been a farm team of the Colorado Rockies since 1994....
in the South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
. He went 14-11 with a 4.29 ERA in 27 starts.
On November 18, 1997, the day after the 1997 Major League Baseball expansion draft, the Rockies traded Westbrook along with fellow minor leaguers John Nicholson and Mark Hamlin to 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...
for infielder Mike Lansing
Mike Lansing
Michael Thomas Lansing is a former Major League Baseball infielder who played for the Montreal Expos, Colorado Rockies, and the Boston Red Sox between 1993 and 2001...
. The Expos assigned Westbrook to the Jupiter Hammerheads
Jupiter Hammerheads
The Jupiter Hammerheads are a minor league baseball team based in Jupiter, Florida, named for the hammerhead shark.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Miami Marlins major-league club....
, their Class A-Advanced affiliate in the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
. In 1998, he went 11-6 for the Hammerheads with a 3.26 ERA in 27 starts. In 1999, he went 11-5 with a 3.92 ERA in 27 starts for the Harrisburg Senators
Harrisburg Senators
The Harrisburg Senators are a minor league baseball team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals....
, the Double-A club in the Eastern League.
Following three consecutive 27 start seasons, Westbrook was traded in the off-season. On December 22, 1999, the Expos traded him with two players to be named later
Player to be named later
The concept of the "player to be named later" is most often associated with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trades.-Description:...
to the 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...
for Hideki Irabu
Hideki Irabu
was a professional baseball player of Okinawan and American mixed ancestry. He played professionally in both Japan and the United States.-Early life:...
. (Montreal Expos eventually sent 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...
(March 17, 2000) and Christian Parker
Christian Parker
Christian Michael Parker is a former American baseball player. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 4th round of the 1996 amateur draft. Parker has played in one Major League Baseball game during his career, which came on April 6, 2001...
(March 22, 2000) to the Yankees to complete the trade.)
The Yankees assigned Westbrook to the Triple-A 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....
in the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
. He went 5-7 with an 4.65 ERA in 15 starts. In his major league debut on June 17, 2000, and his first start at Yankee Stadium for the Yankees against 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...
, he did not make it past the second inning. He appeared in three games for the Yankees as a rookie, two starts and once out of the bullpen, going 0-2 with a whopping 13.50 ERA.
On June 29, 2000, the Yankees traded Westbrook with fellow sinker ball pitcher Zach Day
Zach Day
Stephen Zachary Day is a former right-handed sinker-ball pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for three teams from 2002 to 2006.He currently resides in Cincinnati with his wife, Megan.-Career history:...
and outfielder Ricky Ledée
Ricky Ledée
Ricardo Alberto "Ricky" Ledée is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets in his decade long professional career. He won two World Series...
to the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
for outfielder/designated hitter David Justice
David Justice
David Christopher Justice is a former outfielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball who played for the Atlanta Braves , Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , and Oakland Athletics .-Early life:David was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Robert and Nettie Justice...
in their quest to eventually win the 2000 World Series
2000 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 21, 2000 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkThe opener fell on two anniversaries. Twenty-five years prior, Boston Red Sox's catcher Carlton Fisk ended Game 6 of the 1975 World Series with his famous home run off the left field foul pole in Fenway Park in Boston to beat...
. However, Westbrook cracked a rib at some point while he was pitching, so his 2000 season was cut short.
In 2001, the Indians invited him to spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. He shuttled back and forth between Cleveland and Triple-A Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
in the International League. He did well in Buffalo, amassing a 8-1 record in 12 starts. But he struggled with his role, going a lackluster 4-4 in Cleveland out of the bullpen and in six spot starts.
In 2002, Westbrook caught a break. He became a regular part of the Cleveland pitching staff that was in transition, as the Tribe went 74-88, finishing 3rd in American League Central Division
American League Central
The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...
and getting coach Charlie Manuel sacked mid-way through the season (76 games). He also signed a three year contract with the team. For the 2003 season, Westbrook converted back to starter, going 7-10 with a 4.33 ERA, ending the year as the team's fourth starter.
Westbrook was named to the All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
team in , when he won
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
14 games with a 3.38 ERA. After becoming a full-time starter in 2004, the sinkerballer won at least 14 games in three consecutive seasons.
In 2006, he induced more double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
s (35) than any other pitcher in the majors.
In April , Westbrook signed a three-year, $33 million contract extension with the Indians, which was intended to keep him in Cleveland through the 2010 season.
After being placed on the 15 day DL
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:...
in April , Westbrook came back to pitch his first game for the Indians on May 28. After the start, Westbrook began to feel soreness in his elbow, but was optimistic that he would be able to make his next start. On June 7, 2008, the Tribe announced that he would be undergoing Tommy John Surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
and be out of action for 10–14 months, ending his 2008 season. Westbrook also spent the entire 2009 season on the 60-day DL, still recovering from the surgery. He returned to action as the Indians' 2010 Opening Day
Opening Day
Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball and most of the minor leagues, this day falls during the first week of April. For baseball fans, Opening Day serves as a symbol of rebirth; writer Thomas Boswell once penned a book...
starter.
On July 31, 2010, Westbrook was part of a three-team trade involving the Indians, St. Louis Cardinals
St. 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...
, and 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...
. He went to the Cardinals along with Class A left-hand pitcher Nick Greenwood and cash, while the Tribe received Class AA right-handed pitcher Corey Kluber from San Diego. The Padres got outfielder Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Andrew Ludwick is a Major League Baseball right fielder. His brother Eric played four seasons in Major League Baseball as a pitcher.-High school, college, and minor leagues:Ludwick attended Durango High School in Las Vegas, Nevada....
. Westbrook, who had nearly $4 million remaining in his 2010 salary and another $2 million bonus because of the trade, agreed to forgo part of the bonus to make the deal happen. He was 6-7 with a 4.65 ERA in 21 starts prior to the trade.
On November 16, 2010, Westbrook and the St Louis Cardinals agreed to a two-year $16.5 million deal with a mutual 2013 option and a blanket no-trade clause. On August 31, 2011, Westbrook hit his first career 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...
, a 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...
against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee 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...
.
Westbrook was initially left off the Cardinals' 2011 playoff roster. However after the Cardinals' bullpen faced a heavy load in the National League Division Series
2011 National League Division Series
The 2011 National League Division Series were two best-of-five playoffs comprising the opening round of the Major League Baseball postseason, played to determine the participating teams in the 2011 National League Championship Series. Three divisional winners and a fourth team—a wild card—played...
and the National League Championship Series
2011 National League Championship Series
The 2011 National League Championship Series was a best-of-seven playoff pitting the winners of the 2011 National League Division Series, the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, against each other for the National League championship and the right to be the league's representative in the...
, Westbrook was added to the World Series Roster. Westbrook pitched in two games and recorded a win in the pivotal game six, when the Cardinals came from behind to win in extra innings while facing elimination.