Ron Mahay
Encyclopedia
Ronald Matthew Mahay is an American
professional baseball
pitcher
who is a free agent. He has previously played for the Boston Red Sox
, Oakland Athletics
, Florida Marlins
, Chicago Cubs
, Texas Rangers
, Atlanta Braves
, Kansas City Royals
, and Minnesota Twins
.
in the 18th round of the Major League Baseball Draft in by the Boston Red Sox
out of South Suburban College
, a junior college in South Holland, Illinois
, where he both pitched and played center field. When the 1994 Major League Baseball strike lasted into spring training
the following year, Mahay was one of the replacement players called up by the Red Sox. As a consequence, Mahay (and all other replacement players who later made the big leagues
) is not eligible for membership in the Major League Baseball Players Association
.
Mahay made his Major League debut with the Red Sox on May 21, 1995, as an outfielder, and appeared in five games, batting
.200 with four hits
in 20 at-bats, including two doubles
and a home run
. He was returned to the minors
after a month. In , Mahay moved from the outfield to the pitching
mound where he spent the off-season with the Gold Coast Cougars
in the Australian Baseball League perfecting his adaptation to pitcher. He returned to Boston for the latter half of , but was waived after the campaign.
claimed him off the waiver wire, and he appeared in six games for the A's in 1999 and 5 in 2000, including three games as a starter.
in May from the Athletics. While pitching for the Marlins, Mahay recorded his last two Major League hits, a single
and a double, in four at-bats. He appeared in 18 games with the Marlins, and recorded a 6.04 ERA.
as a free agent in November 2000 but was released on May 15, 2001, after appearing in 14 games with the Portland Beavers
in AAA.
on May 19, 2001, Over the next two seasons he was 2-0 with a 8.59 in 11 appearances with the Cubs.
in December 2002, and started the season with the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks
. In June of that year, he was called up to Texas, and remained with the big league club almost exclusively until his tenure with the Rangers ended. was a career year for Mahay, as he notched a career-highs in appearances
(60), ERA
(2.55) and strikeout
s (54). He was one of the mainstays of the Rangers' bullpen
from 2003-, especially in the and seasons, as Mahay (along with C.J. Wilson) was one of only two regular left-handed relievers on the Rangers' roster.
to the Atlanta Braves
for Elvis Andrus
, Beau Jones, Neftali Feliz, Matt Harrison
and Jarrod Saltalamacchia
. In his Braves debut, he tossed a scoreless eighth inning in a 12-3 rout of the Houston Astros
. He earned his first win
as a Brave on August 11, 2007 against the Philadelphia Phillies
. He finished the season 3-0 with a combined 2.55 ERA.
as a free agent, after being released by the Royals.
At the end of the 2009 season, Mahay became a free agent. He signed a minor league contract to rejoin the Twins during 2010 spring training. He returned to the majors on April 15, 2010.
, that included an invite to spring training. He was unable to win a spot on the Dodgers major league roster and was released on March 26.
on April 8, 2011, but was released on May 13.
on July 5, 2011, and was assigned to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds
. He elected to become a free agent on August 12. He made 12 appearances for Memphis, recording a 1.64 ERA and a 1.000 WHIP.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
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...
who is a free agent. He has previously played for the Boston Red Sox
Boston 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"...
, 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....
, Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
, 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...
, 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...
, Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, Kansas City Royals
Kansas 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...
, and 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...
.
Boston Red Sox
Mahay was drafted as an outfielderOutfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
in the 18th round of the Major League Baseball Draft in by the Boston Red Sox
Boston 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"...
out of South Suburban College
South Suburban College
South Suburban College is a community college located in the south suburbs of Chicago serving the Chicago Southland. The main campus is situated in South Holland, Illinois with a second campus called the University and College Center in Oak Forest, Illinois...
, a junior college in South Holland, Illinois
South Holland, Illinois
South Holland is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States and serves as the seat of Thornton Township. The population was 22,147 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, where he both pitched and played center field. When the 1994 Major League Baseball strike lasted into 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...
the following year, Mahay was one of the replacement players called up by the Red Sox. As a consequence, Mahay (and all other replacement players who later made the big leagues
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...
) is not eligible for membership in the Major League Baseball Players Association
Major League Baseball Players Association
The Major League Baseball Players Association is the union of professional major-league baseball players.-History of MLBPA:The MLBPA was not the first attempt to unionize baseball players...
.
Mahay made his Major League debut with the Red Sox on May 21, 1995, as an outfielder, and appeared in five games, batting
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.200 with four 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 20 at-bats, including two doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and a 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...
. He was returned to the minors
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...
after a month. In , Mahay moved from the outfield to the pitching
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...
mound where he spent the off-season with the Gold Coast Cougars
Gold Coast Cougars
The Gold Coast Cougars were the re-branded Daikyo Dolphins after major sponsor Daikyo had to end sponsorship of the team due to financial problems with the Australian arm of the company.- See also :*Sport in Australia*Australian Baseball...
in the Australian Baseball League perfecting his adaptation to pitcher. He returned to Boston for the latter half of , but was waived after the campaign.
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland AthleticsOakland 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....
claimed him off the waiver wire, and he appeared in six games for the A's in 1999 and 5 in 2000, including three games as a starter.
Florida Marlins
He was purchased by the Florida MarlinsFlorida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
in May from the Athletics. While pitching for the Marlins, Mahay recorded his last two Major League hits, a single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
and a double, in four at-bats. He appeared in 18 games with the Marlins, and recorded a 6.04 ERA.
San Diego Padres
He signed with 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...
as a free agent in November 2000 but was released on May 15, 2001, after appearing in 14 games with the Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
in AAA.
Chicago Cubs
Mahay signed with the Chicago CubsChicago 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...
on May 19, 2001, Over the next two seasons he was 2-0 with a 8.59 in 11 appearances with the Cubs.
Texas Rangers
Mahay signed with the Texas RangersTexas 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...
in December 2002, and started the season with the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks
Oklahoma RedHawks
The Oklahoma City RedHawks are a minor league baseball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros...
. In June of that year, he was called up to Texas, and remained with the big league club almost exclusively until his tenure with the Rangers ended. was a career year for Mahay, as he notched a career-highs in appearances
Games pitched
In baseball statistics, games pitched is the number of games in which a player appears as a pitcher; a player who is announced as the pitcher must face at least one batter, although exceptions are made if the pitcher announced in the starting lineup is injured before facing a batter, perhaps while...
(60), 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...
(2.55) and 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 (54). He was one of the mainstays of the Rangers' bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
from 2003-, especially in the and seasons, as Mahay (along with C.J. Wilson) was one of only two regular left-handed relievers on the Rangers' roster.
Atlanta Braves
On July 30, 2007, Mahay was traded along with Mark TeixeiraMark Teixeira
Mark Charles Teixeira , nicknamed "Tex" is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Mostly a first baseman, he has also played third base and in the outfield...
to the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Elvis Andrus
Elvis Andrus
Elvis Augusto Andrus Torres is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Texas Rangers.Entering , he was rated by Baseball America as the No. 2 prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization...
, Beau Jones, Neftali Feliz, Matt Harrison
Matt Harrison
Matthew Reid Harrison is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers.-Baseball career:Harrison attended South Granville High School in Creedmoor, North Carolina...
and Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Jarrod Scott Saltalamacchia , nicknamed "Salty" is an American professional baseball catcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.His last name is the longest in Major League Baseball history...
. In his Braves debut, he tossed a scoreless eighth inning in a 12-3 rout of 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 earned his first 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...
as a Brave on August 11, 2007 against 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 finished the season 3-0 with a combined 2.55 ERA.
Kansas City Royals
After the 2007 season, Mahay reached an agreement on a two-year, $8 million contract with the Kansas City Royals.Minnesota Twins
On August 28, 2009 Mahay signed with the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota 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...
as a free agent, after being released by the Royals.
At the end of the 2009 season, Mahay became a free agent. He signed a minor league contract to rejoin the Twins during 2010 spring training. He returned to the majors on April 15, 2010.
Los Angeles Dodgers
On February 3, 2011 he signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles DodgersLos 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...
, that included an invite to spring training. He was unable to win a spot on the Dodgers major league roster and was released on March 26.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Mahay signed a minor league contract with the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
on April 8, 2011, but was released on May 13.
St. Louis Cardinals
He signed a minor league contract with 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...
on July 5, 2011, and was assigned to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds
Memphis Redbirds
The Memphis Redbirds are the Triple-A minor league baseball affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They play their home games at AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The stadium's capacity is 14,320. They entered the Pacific Coast League as an expansion team in 1998, and were owned as a...
. He elected to become a free agent on August 12. He made 12 appearances for Memphis, recording a 1.64 ERA and a 1.000 WHIP.