Josh Paul
Encyclopedia
Joshua William Paul is a former Major League Baseball
catcher
who is currently the manager
of the Class A short-season Staten Island Yankees
.
in the amateur draft in , Paul was a back-up catcher from until he was granted his outright release in . He was signed by the Chicago Cubs
, but was again released in October of the same year. The Anaheim Angels
signed him in . He was traded after the season to the Devil Rays for minor league third baseman Travis Schlichting
.
According to commentator Tim McCarver
, Paul is writing a book about pitch selection. According to Rays' broadcaster Joe Magrane an entire chapter will be devoted to Seth McClung
, a temperamental hard thrower with control issues; Paul was McClung's personal catcher during the season.
After McClung was sent to the minor leagues to be converted to closing
and Tampa Bay Devil Rays starting catcher Toby Hall
was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers
, Dioner Navarro
came to Tampa Bay as the Devil Rays' main catcher. Paul was limited to 35 games in because of hand and elbow injuries. On February 1, , the Rays signed Paul to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
. After failing to make the team, Paul was released and signed with the Houston Astros
on April 6. On June 14, Paul was released by the Astros.
Paul, who lost a friend in the September 11, 2001 attacks, was a proponent of playing games scheduled on September 11, 2002.
organization.
Paul served as interim bullpen coach for the New York Yankees
while Dave Eiland
was away from the team for personal reasons.
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...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
who is currently the manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
of the Class A short-season Staten Island Yankees
Staten Island Yankees
The Staten Island Yankees are a minor league baseball team, located in the New York City borough of Staten Island. Nicknamed the "Baby Bombers," the Yankees are a Short-Season A classification affiliate of the New York Yankees and play in the New York - Penn League at Richmond County Bank Ballpark...
.
Playing career
After being selected by 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...
in the amateur draft in , Paul was a back-up catcher from until he was granted his outright release in . He was signed by 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...
, but was again released in October of the same year. The Anaheim Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
signed him in . He was traded after the season to the Devil Rays for minor league third baseman Travis Schlichting
Travis Schlichting
Travis Jay Schlichting is an American baseball player. He is currently a free agent pitcher.-Tampa Bay Devil Rays:...
.
According to commentator Tim McCarver
Tim McCarver
James Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:...
, Paul is writing a book about pitch selection. According to Rays' broadcaster Joe Magrane an entire chapter will be devoted to Seth McClung
Seth McClung
Michael Seth McClung , nicknamed Big Red, is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. In his career, he has pitched as a starting pitcher and as a relief pitcher....
, a temperamental hard thrower with control issues; Paul was McClung's personal catcher during the season.
After McClung was sent to the minor leagues to be converted to closing
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...
and Tampa Bay Devil Rays starting catcher Toby Hall
Toby Hall
Toby Jason Hall is a Major League Baseball catcher who is currently with the Camden Riversharks in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball....
was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, Dioner Navarro
Dioner Navarro
Dioner Favian Navarro Vivas is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher, who is a free agent.-New York Yankees:In 2000, Navarro was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent...
came to Tampa Bay as the Devil Rays' main catcher. Paul was limited to 35 games in because of hand and elbow injuries. On February 1, , the Rays signed Paul to a minor league contract with an invitation 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...
. After failing to make the team, Paul was released and signed with the 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...
on April 6. On June 14, Paul was released by the Astros.
Paul, who lost a friend in the September 11, 2001 attacks, was a proponent of playing games scheduled on September 11, 2002.
Post-playing career
In December 2008, Paul was named the manager of the Single-A Staten Island Yankees in the New York YankeesNew 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...
organization.
Paul served as interim bullpen coach for 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...
while Dave Eiland
Dave Eiland
David William Eiland is a former American professional baseball player who was a pitcher for ten Major League Baseball seasons. Eiland played college baseball for the University of Florida and the University of South Florida, and thereafter, played professionally for the New York Yankees, San...
was away from the team for personal reasons.