Jeff Russell
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey Lee Russell is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
who played 14 years from 1983 to 1996. Russell played for the Cincinnati Reds
of the National League
and the Texas Rangers
, Oakland A's, Boston Red Sox
and Cleveland Indians
, all of the American League
. He began his career as a starting pitcher with the Reds and Rangers, but was later converted into a closer
.
A two-time American League
All-Star in 1988 and 1989, Russell finished his Major League career with 186 career saves. In 1989, as a member of the Rangers, he led the A.L. in saves with 38 and won the 1989 A.L. Rolaids Relief Man Award
.
Russell's son, James Russell
, made the Opening Day roster of the Chicago Cubs
in 2010.
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
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...
who played 14 years from 1983 to 1996. Russell played 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....
of the 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...
and 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...
, Oakland A's, Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and 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...
, all of the 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...
. He began his career as a starting pitcher with the Reds and Rangers, but was later converted into a closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
.
A two-time 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...
All-Star in 1988 and 1989, Russell finished his Major League career with 186 career saves. In 1989, as a member of the Rangers, he led the A.L. in saves with 38 and won the 1989 A.L. Rolaids Relief Man Award
Rolaids Relief Man Award
The Rolaids Relief Man Award is an annual Major League Baseball award given since the 1976 MLB season to the top relief pitchers of the regular season, one in the American League and one in the National League . Relief pitchers are the pitchers who enter the game after the starting pitcher is...
.
Russell's son, James Russell
James Russell (baseball)
James Clayton Russell is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. A selection of the Cubs in the 14th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft, he pitched at both Navarro College and the University of Texas at Austin in college...
, made the Opening Day roster of the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in 2010.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball saves champions
- List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders
- List of second-generation Major League Baseball players