Joey Devine
Encyclopedia
Joseph Neal "Joey" Devine (born September 19, 1983, in Junction City
, Kansas
) is a Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
for the Oakland Athletics
.
out of North Carolina State University
, where he had set the Wolfpack record for saves with 24. After being drafted, Devine spent only two months in the minor leagues, pitching with the Single-A Advanced Myrtle Beach Pelicans
and the Double-A Mississippi Braves
, before being called up to the major leagues on August 20.
Devine encountered early struggles once being called up to the major leagues, becoming the first pitcher in major league history to allow a grand slam
in each of his first two games. Braves manager Bobby Cox
showed faith in Devine, however, by including him on the postseason roster despite his pitching only five innings with the big-league club during the regular season. In the 18th inning of Game 4 of the 2005 National League Division Series
, Devine gave up a walk-off home run
to Houston Astros
rookie Chris Burke to end the Braves' season.
In , Atlanta planned to have Devine start the season at Triple-A Richmond
as the closer
, but injuries to Horacio Ramírez
and Blaine Boyer
forced the Braves to call him up along with fellow reliever Ken Ray
. Devine struggled once again, however, pitching a total of one inning in two games against the San Francisco Giants
and giving up seven runs
on five hits
, five walks
, and two wild pitch
es. Devine was optioned back to Richmond afterwards, with Peter Moylan
serving as his replacement in Atlanta's bullpen
. Devine was called up again in September and continued to pitch in Atlanta until the end of the regular season. Baseball America
rated Devine as the Braves' ninth-best prospect entering . Devine spent the majority of the 2007 season at Mississippi, though he was called up by Atlanta several times. On September 22, Devine earned his first major league victory
against the Milwaukee Brewers
. He finished the 2007 season 1-1 with a 1.08 ERA
.
Mark Kotsay
. Devine had a breakout season with the Athletics in ; in 45 2/3 innings, Devine gave up just 23 hits, walking only 15, striking out 49, and finished with a remarkable 0.59 ERA. His 0.59 ERA was the lowest ever in MLB history among pitchers with a minimum of 45 innings since ERA became an official statistic in ; however, his record is not officially recognized because the MLB minimum is 50 innings.
Devine missed the 2009 season following Tommy John surgery
on his right elbow. The operation was performed Tuesday, April 21, 2009 by Dr. James Andrews on Devine’s ulnar collateral ligament. On December 2, 2009, Devine, avoided arbitration and agreed to a 1 year contract with the Oakland Athletics
.
Devine remained inactive through the 2010 season while still recovering from the surgery. He finally returned to action in 2011. However, after struggling to find control in a flukish spring training game, Joey Devine was sent down to the A's Minor League Sacramento River Cats to work out the kinks. He instantly regained his 2008 form and commenced to not allow a single earned run over his first 12 1/3 innings, striking out a solid 17, giving up only 4 hits, and walking a mere one batter. He was recalled to the Oakland A's Major League Roster on May, 20th 2011.
Devines' longest streak of innings without yielding an earned run (33.2 innings) was broken on June, 3 2011, due to inherited runs acquired through reliever Brian Fuentes.
After pitching relatively well after his return to the MLB roster in 2011, Devine struggled in late July during his last three outings of that month (Devine attributed control issues to heat and lack of grip during a heat wave in which temps. were over 100F). His control issues lead to his being demoted back to Sacramento River Cats on July 28th 2011. Despite the fact that many of the earned runs he had acquired to that point, were inherited, after he stepped off the mound. Prior to his last three outings, Devine was one of the leading pitchers on Oaklands MLB pitching staff statistically (2.14ERA and dropping, over 9K/9 innings, and high octane pitch speeds of up to 97 MPH, with additional nasty off speed pitch movement in his slider, low hits/outs ratio, hitters average under .200, no homers allowed, and an average walk rate).
Joey Devine has still not allowed a MLB Home run in 83 innings (341 batters). The last home run off Devine was earned while pitching for the Braves on April 7, 2006.
Junction City, Kansas
Junction City is a city in and the county seat of Geary County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 23,353. Fort Riley, a major U.S. Army post, is nearby...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
) is a 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...
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...
for the 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....
.
Atlanta Braves
Devine was the Braves' first selection (27th overall) in the first round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft2005 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
out of North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
, where he had set the Wolfpack record for saves with 24. After being drafted, Devine spent only two months in the minor leagues, pitching with the Single-A Advanced Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are a minor league baseball team in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They are a Class A Advanced team in the Carolina League and the franchise is currently the farm team of the Texas Rangers. From their inaugural season until 2010, the Pelicans were an affiliate of the...
and the Double-A Mississippi Braves
Mississippi Braves
The Mississippi Braves, or M-Braves as they are referred to locally, are a minor league baseball team based in Pearl, Mississippi, a suburb of Jackson. The team is the Class AA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, and plays in the Southern League. The team is owned and operated by Liberty Media, which...
, before being called up to the major leagues on August 20.
Devine encountered early struggles once being called up to the major leagues, becoming the first pitcher in major league history to allow 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...
in each of his first two games. Braves manager Bobby Cox
Bobby Cox
Robert Joseph "Bobby" Cox is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. He first led the Atlanta Braves from 1978 to 1981, and then managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982 to 1985. He later rejoined the Braves in 1985 as a general manager...
showed faith in Devine, however, by including him on the postseason roster despite his pitching only five innings with the big-league club during the regular season. In the 18th inning of Game 4 of the 2005 National League Division Series
2005 National League Division Series
-Atlanta Braves vs. Houston Astros:-Game 1, October 4:Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MissouriIt was a matchup between Jake Peavy and eventual 2005 Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter. In the bottom of the first, Jim Edmonds's one-out solo homer put the Cardinals up 1–0...
, Devine gave up a walk-off home run
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
to Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
rookie Chris Burke to end the Braves' season.
In , Atlanta planned to have Devine start the season at Triple-A Richmond
Richmond Braves
The Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,...
as the 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...
, but injuries to Horacio Ramírez
Horacio Ramírez
Horacio Ramírez is a Major League Baseball pitcher. His parents emigrated from Jalostotitlan, Jalisco, Mexico.-Career:...
and Blaine Boyer
Blaine Boyer
Blaine Thomas Boyer is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, and New York Mets.-Baseball career:...
forced the Braves to call him up along with fellow reliever Ken Ray
Ken Ray
Kenneth Alan Ray is a pitcher in the minor league system of the Cleveland Indians. Ray made his MLB debut July 10, , for the Kansas City Royals.-Early career:...
. Devine struggled once again, however, pitching a total of one inning in two games against the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
and giving up seven runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
on five hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, five walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
, and two wild pitch
Wild pitch
In baseball, a wild pitch is charged against a pitcher when his pitch is too high, too short, or too wide of home plate for the catcher to control with ordinary effort, thereby allowing a baserunner, perhaps even the batter-runner on strike three or ball four, to advance.A wild pitch usually...
es. Devine was optioned back to Richmond afterwards, with Peter Moylan
Peter Moylan
Peter Michael Moylan is a relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves in Major League Baseball. Moylan features a mid ninety mile per hour fastball and throws sidearm.-Early career:...
serving as his replacement in Atlanta's bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
. Devine was called up again in September and continued to pitch in Atlanta until the end of the regular season. Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
rated Devine as the Braves' ninth-best prospect entering . Devine spent the majority of the 2007 season at Mississippi, though he was called up by Atlanta several times. On September 22, Devine earned his first major league victory
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...
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...
. He finished the 2007 season 1-1 with a 1.08 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...
.
Oakland Athletics
On January 14, , Devine was traded to the Oakland Athletics along with minor league pitcher Jamie Richmond for center fielderCenter 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...
Mark Kotsay
Mark Kotsay
Mark Steven Kotsay is an American professional baseball outfielder with the San Diego Padres...
. Devine had a breakout season with the Athletics in ; in 45 2/3 innings, Devine gave up just 23 hits, walking only 15, striking out 49, and finished with a remarkable 0.59 ERA. His 0.59 ERA was the lowest ever in MLB history among pitchers with a minimum of 45 innings since ERA became an official statistic in ; however, his record is not officially recognized because the MLB minimum is 50 innings.
Devine missed the 2009 season following 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...
on his right elbow. The operation was performed Tuesday, April 21, 2009 by Dr. James Andrews on Devine’s ulnar collateral ligament. On December 2, 2009, Devine, avoided arbitration and agreed to a 1 year contract with the 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....
.
Devine remained inactive through the 2010 season while still recovering from the surgery. He finally returned to action in 2011. However, after struggling to find control in a flukish spring training game, Joey Devine was sent down to the A's Minor League Sacramento River Cats to work out the kinks. He instantly regained his 2008 form and commenced to not allow a single earned run over his first 12 1/3 innings, striking out a solid 17, giving up only 4 hits, and walking a mere one batter. He was recalled to the Oakland A's Major League Roster on May, 20th 2011.
Devines' longest streak of innings without yielding an earned run (33.2 innings) was broken on June, 3 2011, due to inherited runs acquired through reliever Brian Fuentes.
After pitching relatively well after his return to the MLB roster in 2011, Devine struggled in late July during his last three outings of that month (Devine attributed control issues to heat and lack of grip during a heat wave in which temps. were over 100F). His control issues lead to his being demoted back to Sacramento River Cats on July 28th 2011. Despite the fact that many of the earned runs he had acquired to that point, were inherited, after he stepped off the mound. Prior to his last three outings, Devine was one of the leading pitchers on Oaklands MLB pitching staff statistically (2.14ERA and dropping, over 9K/9 innings, and high octane pitch speeds of up to 97 MPH, with additional nasty off speed pitch movement in his slider, low hits/outs ratio, hitters average under .200, no homers allowed, and an average walk rate).
Joey Devine has still not allowed a MLB Home run in 83 innings (341 batters). The last home run off Devine was earned while pitching for the Braves on April 7, 2006.