Matt Kinzer
Encyclopedia
Matthew Roy Kinzer, is a former NFL punter
and MLB pitcher
. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals
in the 2nd round of the 1984 amateur draft. During 1987 NFL strike, he served one game as a punter for the Detroit Lions
. He recorded seven punts for a 34.0 yard average. Kinzer begin his pro baseball career in the minor leagues playing from 1984-89, He played for the Arkansas Travelers of the double A Texas League in 1984. After stops in Springfield with the Cardinals of the class A Mid West League in 1985 and the St. Petersburg Cardinals of the class A Florida State League in 1986, he returned to the Arkansas Travelers in 1987 and 1988. But in 1988 Kinzer also saw playing time in the Major Leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1989 Kinzer played for triple A Louisville Cardinals of the American Association and also saw time with the St. Louis Cardinals.
He had a record of 34-25. He made his MLB debut on May 18, 1989 for the St. Louis Cardinals, pitching 3.1 innings, giving up one hit and striking out three versus the Houston Astros
. He pitched in seven more games (one start) and gave up 19 earned runs in 13.1 innings to finish with an 0-2 record and a 12.83 ERA
. On May 26, 1990 he pitched his only game of the season for the Detroit Tigers
against the Chicago White Sox
. He pitched 1.2 innings, giving up three hits, three walks, three earned runs, and struck out one batter. It would be his last game in the major leagues. In nine career games he has an 0-2 record and a 13.20 ERA.
Kinzer is the only person to have played for both the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Tigers.
After his major league days he served as a scout for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and worked as a player agent.
Punter (football position)
A punter in American or Canadian football is a special teams player who receives the snapped ball directly from the line of scrimmage and then punts the football to the opposing team so as to limit any field position advantage. This generally happens on a fourth down in American football and a...
and MLB 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 was drafted by 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...
in the 2nd round of the 1984 amateur draft. During 1987 NFL strike, he served one game as a punter for the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
. He recorded seven punts for a 34.0 yard average. Kinzer begin his pro baseball career in the minor leagues playing from 1984-89, He played for the Arkansas Travelers of the double A Texas League in 1984. After stops in Springfield with the Cardinals of the class A Mid West League in 1985 and the St. Petersburg Cardinals of the class A Florida State League in 1986, he returned to the Arkansas Travelers in 1987 and 1988. But in 1988 Kinzer also saw playing time in the Major Leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1989 Kinzer played for triple A Louisville Cardinals of the American Association and also saw time with the St. Louis Cardinals.
He had a record of 34-25. He made his MLB debut on May 18, 1989 for the St. Louis Cardinals, pitching 3.1 innings, giving up one hit and striking out three versus 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...
. He pitched in seven more games (one start) and gave up 19 earned runs in 13.1 innings to finish with an 0-2 record and a 12.83 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...
. On May 26, 1990 he pitched his only game of the season for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
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 pitched 1.2 innings, giving up three hits, three walks, three earned runs, and struck out one batter. It would be his last game in the major leagues. In nine career games he has an 0-2 record and a 13.20 ERA.
Kinzer is the only person to have played for both the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Tigers.
After his major league days he served as a scout for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and worked as a player agent.
MLB Career Statistics
| G | W | L | ERA | SO | BB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 0 | 2 | 13.20 | 9 | 7 |