Mark Knudson
Encyclopedia
Mark Richard Knudson is a former right-handed professional baseball
pitcher
. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball
, between 1985 and 1993, primarily for the Milwaukee Brewers
.
in the third round of the 1982 amateur draft
out of Colorado State University
. He made his debut with the club on July 8, 1985, and took a 7-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies
. He won his first major league game on July 10 of the following season, also against the Phillies. On August 15, 1986 he and fellow pitcher Don August
were traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for pitcher Danny Darwin
.
compiled an 8-5 record with a 3.35 ERA. In 1990, we won 10 games, including shut-outs against the Oakland A's and the Boston Red Sox.
After starting and gaining the victory on Opening Day 1991 against the Texas Rangers
, Knudson contracted a virus that seriously affected his performance. He came down with a 103-degree fever and lost 10 pounds. He missed most of that season and was sent to Triple A Denver to finish the year, where he helped the Zephyrs win the American Association championship. He was designated for assignment at the end of the year; when he refused, the club released him outright.
organization, before signing with the expansion Colorado Rockies
in 1993. He only pitched briefly for the team, however. After struggling and posting a 22.24 ERA in just four appearance, he permanently retired from the game.
, Roger Clemens
and Randy Johnson
.
Since retiring, Knudson has worked for the Rockies in Community Relations, and began a career in sports media. He has written a syndicated newspaper column since 1994, and is also a radio and television broadcaster.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
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...
. He played all or part of eight seasons in 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...
, between 1985 and 1993, primarily for 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...
.
Astros
Knudson was drafted by the Houston AstrosHouston 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...
in the third round of the 1982 amateur draft
1982 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1982 Major League Baseball draft.- Other notable players :*Barry Bonds was drafted by the Giants in the 2nd round of the 1982 amateur draft, but did not sign...
out of Colorado State University
Colorado State University
Colorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and...
. He made his debut with the club on July 8, 1985, and took a 7-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. He won his first major league game on July 10 of the following season, also against the Phillies. On August 15, 1986 he and fellow pitcher Don August
Don August
Donald Glenn August , moved to Mission Viejo, California and graduated from Capistrano Valley Highschool is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Milwaukee Brewers from to . Through his paternal grandmother, he is a first cousin twice removed of Archbishop of...
were traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for pitcher Danny Darwin
Danny Darwin
Daniel Wayne "Danny" Darwin , known as the "Bonham Bullet" and "Dr. Death," is a former pitcher of Major League Baseball. He amassed 171 wins and 182 losses over his career for 8 different Major League teams with a 3.84 earned run average...
.
Brewers
Knudson pitched as both a starter and long reliever for Milwaukee over the next five seasons, and in 19891989 Major League Baseball season
-Awards and honors:*Most Valuable Player**Robin Yount, Milwaukee Brewers **Kevin Mitchell, San Francisco Giants *Cy Young Award**Bret Saberhagen, Kansas City Royals **Mark Davis, San Diego Padres *Rookie of the Year...
compiled an 8-5 record with a 3.35 ERA. In 1990, we won 10 games, including shut-outs against the Oakland A's and the Boston Red Sox.
After starting and gaining the victory on Opening Day 1991 against 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...
, Knudson contracted a virus that seriously affected his performance. He came down with a 103-degree fever and lost 10 pounds. He missed most of that season and was sent to Triple A Denver to finish the year, where he helped the Zephyrs win the American Association championship. He was designated for assignment at the end of the year; when he refused, the club released him outright.
Rockies
Knudson spent the 1992 season in the San Diego PadresSan 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...
organization, before signing with the expansion 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...
in 1993. He only pitched briefly for the team, however. After struggling and posting a 22.24 ERA in just four appearance, he permanently retired from the game.
Personal life
One week after he officially retired, Knudson's wife gave birth to triplets. A native of Denver, Knudson was the first hometown product to play for the Rockies. During his career, Knudson posted wins over three of the four members of the 4,000 strikeout club, Nolan RyanNolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
, Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens
William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
and Randy Johnson
Randy Johnson
Randall David Johnson , nicknamed "The Big Unit", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 22-year career, he pitched for six different teams....
.
Since retiring, Knudson has worked for the Rockies in Community Relations, and began a career in sports media. He has written a syndicated newspaper column since 1994, and is also a radio and television broadcaster.