Mike Welch (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Michael Paul Welch is a former right-handed pitcher
in Major League Baseball
, born in Haverhill, Massachusetts
. Welch attended the University of Southern Maine
where he participated in playing college baseball
.
in the amateur draft
. He signed with the Mets on June 15. On December 15, 1997, the Mets traded Welch for Héctor Mercado
, who on that day was just drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies
.
Welch made his major league debut on July 17, 1998 with the Phillies at age 25. On that day, the Phillies were playing against the Mets at Shea Stadium
, with 23,298 people attending the game. Welch was called in to replace Desi Relaford
, pitching and batting eighth in the bottom of the fifth inning
. Welch pitched a total of 2⅔ innings. Rubén Amaro, Jr.
was called to pinch hit
for Welch. Welch allowed two hit
s, one run
, one home run
, and ended the game with an earned run average
(ERA) of 3.38. The Philles lost to the Mets by the score of 6-0.
Welch played the baseball season with the Phillies, his only major league season. He played his final major league game on September 27, 1998. Welch played a total of 10 games during his one-year career. He lost two games pitching and didn't win
a game. Welch pitched a total of 20⅔ innings. He allowed 26 hits, and 7 home runs. Welch also allowed seven walks
and threw fifteen strikeout
s. He ended his career with an earned run average of 8.27.
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...
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...
, born in Haverhill, Massachusetts
Haverhill, Massachusetts
Haverhill is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 60,879 at the 2010 census.Located on the Merrimack River, it began as a farming community that would evolve into an important industrial center, beginning with sawmills and gristmills run by water power. In the...
. Welch attended the University of Southern Maine
University of Southern Maine
The University of Southern Maine is a multi-campus public urban comprehensive university and part of the University of Maine System. USM's three primary campuses are located in Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston...
where he participated in playing college baseball
College baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
.
Career
On June 3, 1993, Welch was drafted by the New York MetsNew 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...
in the amateur draft
1993 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1993 Major League Baseball draft.-Compensation picks:-Other notable players:*Scott Rolen was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2nd round of the 1993 amateur draft....
. He signed with the Mets on June 15. On December 15, 1997, the Mets traded Welch for Héctor Mercado
Hector Mercado
Héctor Luis Mercado is a former professional baseball pitcher, born in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Mercado played all or part of four seasons in Major League Baseball, as well as one season in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. Mercado was listed at 6' 3" in height, and 235 lb. in weight...
, who on that day was just drafted by 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...
.
Welch made his major league debut on July 17, 1998 with the Phillies at age 25. On that day, the Phillies were playing against the Mets at Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
, with 23,298 people attending the game. Welch was called in to replace Desi Relaford
Desi Relaford
Desmond Lamont "Desi" Relaford is an American former professional baseball infielder. He has played for the Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies.Known more for his defense than his bat, his versatility was...
, pitching and batting eighth in the bottom of the fifth inning
Inning
Inning is a municipality in the district of Erding in Bavaria in Germany....
. Welch pitched a total of 2⅔ innings. Rubén Amaro, Jr.
Rubén Amaro, Jr.
Rubén Amaro, Jr. is the general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.He is also a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played from to . He is the son of former infielder Rubén Amaro, Sr....
was called to pinch hit
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
for Welch. Welch allowed two hit
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....
s, 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...
, one 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...
, and ended the game with an earned run average
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...
(ERA) of 3.38. The Philles lost to the Mets by the score of 6-0.
Welch played the baseball season with the Phillies, his only major league season. He played his final major league game on September 27, 1998. Welch played a total of 10 games during his one-year career. He lost two games pitching and didn't win
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...
a game. Welch pitched a total of 20⅔ innings. He allowed 26 hits, and 7 home runs. Welch also allowed seven 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 threw fifteen 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. He ended his career with an earned run average of 8.27.