Mike Maroth
Encyclopedia
Michael Warren Maroth is a former American
Major League Baseball
starting pitcher
. Born in Orlando, Florida
, and after attending the University of Central Florida
, the left-handed
Maroth made his Major League debut in for the Detroit Tigers
.
organization. He led Sarasota's starting pitchers with 11 wins
in .
and worked his way up from Single-A Lakeland
to the Triple-A Mud Hens
by . Maroth had a 4.65 ERA
with Toledo. At the time of his promotion to the Tigers, he was also tied for second place in wins for the entire International League
. Maroth was made a starter for the Tigers on June 8, 2002.
In , Maroth lost 21 games for the Tigers—the first pitcher to lose 20 or more games in a season since Brian Kingman
lost 20 for the Oakland Athletics
in . However, he led the Tigers in wins (9) and win-loss percentage (.300) while the team set the American League
record of 119 games lost (43-119).
Maroth rebounded to a decent campaign, going 11-13 with a 4.31 ERA and 108 strikeout
s. 2004 also saw Maroth pitch a one-hit complete game shutout
against a surging New York Yankees
team that July—he lost his no-hit bid in the fourth-inning due to future teammate Gary Sheffield. In light of the Tigers' continually struggling offense, Maroth's performance was similarly solid, as he managed to rack up 14 wins from 28 starts - the second best record on the team, and just one loss behind their young ace, Jeremy Bonderman
.
In , Maroth assumed the #3 role in the starter rotation, behind the veteran Kenny Rogers
and Bonderman, and ahead of rookie Justin Verlander
and Nate Robertson
. Maroth credited Rogers with suggested changes to his pitching strategy, and—after the season's first month—it appeared that he was experiencing a breakout year, though digging a little deeper reveals that his controllable skills
were actually about the same as they had been in the previous two seasons and that his sparkling ERA
was due in large part to an exorbitant and unsustainable rate of stranding baserunners
. After a disastrous start against the Kansas City Royals on May 24, Maroth was placed on the disabled list
in early May with bone chips in his left elbow. Late in the 2006 season, Maroth made 4 relief
appearances, posting a 9.53 ERA over 5.2 innings of work, giving up three home run
s. Maroth was left off the postseason roster, allowing him more time to recover.
He returned to the starting rotation in the season. He missed only one start due to illness. With Kenny Rogers on the DL, the rotation consisted of Maroth, Jeremy Bonderman, Justin Verlander, Chad Durbin
, and Nate Robertson.
for a player to be named later
. Minor league
pitcher Chris Lambert
, a former first-round pick for the Cardinals in 2004, was sent to the Tigers on August 31, 2007, to complete the deal. In his first career National League
start on June 25 against the New York Mets
, Maroth surrendered just one run
and two hits
in 7 1/3 innings, but did not figure in the decision. However, Maroth was unable to succeed in any role with St. Louis during the rest of the year, going 0-4 with an ERA above 10. He was given his release from the team on October 25, 2007.
signed Maroth to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training
. Maroth was released on May 2, 2008.
Maroth underwent shoulder surgery in May 2008, expecting to be able to pitch by spring training 2009.
On December 30, 2008, Maroth signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays
. Maroth pitched two innings of an exhibition game on March 3, , the first time he had thrown in a major league game since 2007. Maroth commented "My arm felt great...Probably felt too great. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to get out there. Got that adrenaline." After not making the team out of camp, Maroth was released.
On January 8, 2010, Maroth signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins
with an invite to spring training. Maroth did not make the team out of spring training and was sent down to triple A Rochester. In late May, Maroth had surgery to remove a bone spur from his elbow causing him to be out four to five weeks.
Maroth retired on January 25, 2011.
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
. Born in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, and after attending the University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
, the left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
Maroth made his Major League debut in 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...
.
Early career
A third-round pick in the draft, Maroth spent his first two years of professional baseball playing for the Single-A Sarasota Red Sox in the Boston Red SoxBoston 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"...
organization. He led Sarasota's starting pitchers with 11 wins
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...
in .
Detroit Tigers
Before the 2000 season, Maroth was traded to the Tigers organization for relief pitcher Bryce FlorieBryce Florie
Bryce Bettancourt Florie is a minor league pitching coach and former Major League Baseball pitcher....
and worked his way up from Single-A Lakeland
Lakeland Tigers
The Lakeland Flying Tigers are a minor league baseball team based in Lakeland, Florida.Home games are played at Joker Marchant Stadium; opened in 1966 and renovated in 2003. The park, which also doubles as the Detroit Tigers spring training home, seats 8,500 fans...
to the Triple-A Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
by . Maroth had a 4.65 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...
with Toledo. At the time of his promotion to the Tigers, he was also tied for second place in wins for the entire International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
. Maroth was made a starter for the Tigers on June 8, 2002.
In , Maroth lost 21 games for the Tigers—the first pitcher to lose 20 or more games in a season since Brian Kingman
Brian Kingman
Brian Paul Kingman was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1979 to 1983 for the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants....
lost 20 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....
in . However, he led the Tigers in wins (9) and win-loss percentage (.300) while the team set 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...
record of 119 games lost (43-119).
Maroth rebounded to a decent campaign, going 11-13 with a 4.31 ERA and 108 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s. 2004 also saw Maroth pitch a one-hit complete game shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
against a surging 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...
team that July—he lost his no-hit bid in the fourth-inning due to future teammate Gary Sheffield. In light of the Tigers' continually struggling offense, Maroth's performance was similarly solid, as he managed to rack up 14 wins from 28 starts - the second best record on the team, and just one loss behind their young ace, Jeremy Bonderman
Jeremy Bonderman
Jeremy Allen Bonderman is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who currently is a free agent. Bonderman is six feet and two inches tall and weighs 220 pounds. He bats and throws right-handed...
.
In , Maroth assumed the #3 role in the starter rotation, behind the veteran Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers (baseball player)
Kenneth Scott Rogers is a former American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 20-year baseball career, he pitched from 1989-2008 for six different teams. In addition to being known for his fielding , he pitched the fourteenth perfect game in major league baseball history...
and Bonderman, and ahead of rookie Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander
Justin Brooks Verlander is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball....
and Nate Robertson
Nate Robertson
Nathan Daniel "Nate" Robertson, is a Major League Baseball pitcher who currently pitches in the Seattle Mariners organization.-Florida Marlins:...
. Maroth credited Rogers with suggested changes to his pitching strategy, and—after the season's first month—it appeared that he was experiencing a breakout year, though digging a little deeper reveals that his controllable skills
Defense independent pitching statistics
In baseball, defense-independent pitching statistics measure a pitcher's effectiveness based only on plays that do not involve fielders: home runs allowed, strikeouts, hit batters, walks, and, more recently, fly ball percentage, ground ball percentage, and line drive percentage...
were actually about the same as they had been in the previous two seasons and that his sparkling 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...
was due in large part to an exorbitant and unsustainable rate of stranding baserunners
Left on base
In baseball, a baserunner is said to be left on base when the half-inning ends, he has not scored, and he has not been put out. This is to include a batter-runner who has hit into a fielder's choice, causing another runner to be put out as the 3rd out...
. After a disastrous start against the Kansas City Royals on May 24, Maroth was placed on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
in early May with bone chips in his left elbow. Late in the 2006 season, Maroth made 4 relief
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...
appearances, posting a 9.53 ERA over 5.2 innings of work, giving up three home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s. Maroth was left off the postseason roster, allowing him more time to recover.
He returned to the starting rotation in the season. He missed only one start due to illness. With Kenny Rogers on the DL, the rotation consisted of Maroth, Jeremy Bonderman, Justin Verlander, Chad Durbin
Chad Durbin
Chad Griffin Durbin is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He has also played with the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians of the American League and the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies of the National League...
, and Nate Robertson.
St Louis Cardinals
Maroth was traded to the St. Louis CardinalsSt. 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...
for a player to be named later
Player to be named later
The concept of the "player to be named later" is most often associated with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trades.-Description:...
. Minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
pitcher Chris Lambert
Chris Lambert (baseball)
Christopher Raymond Lambert is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles organization. Lambert was claimed off waivers after the Detroit Tigers designated him for assignment....
, a former first-round pick for the Cardinals in 2004, was sent to the Tigers on August 31, 2007, to complete the deal. In his first career 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...
start on June 25 against the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, Maroth surrendered just one run
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...
and two 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....
in 7 1/3 innings, but did not figure in the decision. However, Maroth was unable to succeed in any role with St. Louis during the rest of the year, going 0-4 with an ERA above 10. He was given his release from the team on October 25, 2007.
Later career
On February 8, , the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
signed Maroth to a minor league contract and invited him 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...
. Maroth was released on May 2, 2008.
Maroth underwent shoulder surgery in May 2008, expecting to be able to pitch by spring training 2009.
On December 30, 2008, Maroth signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. Maroth pitched two innings of an exhibition game on March 3, , the first time he had thrown in a major league game since 2007. Maroth commented "My arm felt great...Probably felt too great. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to get out there. Got that adrenaline." After not making the team out of camp, Maroth was released.
On January 8, 2010, Maroth signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
with an invite to spring training. Maroth did not make the team out of spring training and was sent down to triple A Rochester. In late May, Maroth had surgery to remove a bone spur from his elbow causing him to be out four to five weeks.
Maroth retired on January 25, 2011.
Coaching
In September, 2011, Maroth was named pitching coach of the Lakeland Flying Tigers of the advanced-A Florida State LeagueFlorida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
.