Russ Springer
Encyclopedia
Russell Paul Springer is a former Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
. Springer made his major league debut on April 17, , with the New York Yankees
. He also pitched for the California Angels
, Philadelphia Phillies
, Arizona Diamondbacks
, Atlanta Braves
, Houston Astros
, St. Louis Cardinals
, Oakland Athletics
, and Cincinnati Reds
.
in the 7th round of the 1989 Major League Baseball Draft
and signed with the Yankees immediately after the draft in June 1989. On December 6, 1992, Springer was traded by the Yankees with J. T. Snow
and Jerry Nielsen
to the California Angels
for Jim Abbott
. On August 15, 1995 he was traded by the Angels with Kevin Flora
to the Phillies for Dave Gallagher
. In the 1996-97 offseason, he signed with the Houston Astros.
In the 1997 MLB expansion draft
, Springer was chosen by the Arizona Diamondbacks. On June 23, 1998, he was traded by the Diamondbacks to the Atlanta Braves for Alan Embree
. In Atlanta, he picked up the win in game six of the 1999 NLCS, which clinched the pennant for the Braves. After the 1999 season, he signed with the Diamondbacks. He signed as a free agent with the Cardinals in the 2002-03 offseason, and with the Astros in 2004.
Springer was involved in a May 16, incident in a game between the Astros and the San Francisco Giants
with Barry Bonds
. Bonds, with 713 career home runs at the time (one short of tying Babe Ruth for 2nd on the career home runs list), was hit by a Springer pitch in the shoulder. Springer was then ejected along with Astros manager Phil Garner
. He received an ovation from Astro fans as he left the field, leading to criticism from Giants manager Felipe Alou and broadcaster Jon Miller
that the ovation was in bad taste. Springer was suspended for four games and Garner one game for the incident.
Springer was again signed by the Cardinals before the 2007 season. In , he was 8-1 with an ERA
of 2.18 with the Cardinals. On January 29, , Springer signedwith the Oakland Athletics
. On August 8, 2009 he was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays
.
On July 15, 2010, Springer signed with the Cincinnati Reds
. The agreement called for Springer to join the Reds' Triple-A team, the Louisville Bats
, for a prep assignment prior to possibly joining the Reds. The Reds' general manager, Walt Jocketty
, was also the general manager for the Cardinals during Springer's two stints there. On August 2, 2010 Springer was called up by the freoms from Louisville, replacing Carlos Fisher
on the active roster.
Springer retired on January 30, 2011.
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...
relief pitcher
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...
. Springer made his major league debut on April 17, , with the 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...
. He also pitched for the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
, 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...
, Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona 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...
, 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....
, 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...
, 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...
, 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....
, and Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
.
Professional career
Springer was drafted by the New York YankeesNew 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...
in the 7th round of the 1989 Major League Baseball Draft
1989 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1989 Major League Baseball draft.-Supplemental first round selections:-External links:*...
and signed with the Yankees immediately after the draft in June 1989. On December 6, 1992, Springer was traded by the Yankees with J. T. Snow
J. T. Snow
Jack Thomas "J. T." Snow, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. He played all but two games in his career as a first baseman, and played nine of his 13½ seasons with the San Francisco Giants...
and Jerry Nielsen
Jerry Nielsen
Gerald Arthur Nielsen was a pitcher in Major League Baseball.-External links:...
to the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
for Jim Abbott
Jim Abbott
James Anthony Abbott is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, who played despite having been born without a right hand. He played for the California Angels, the New York Yankees, the Chicago White Sox, and the Milwaukee Brewers, from 1989 to 1999.He graduated from Flint Central High School and...
. On August 15, 1995 he was traded by the Angels with Kevin Flora
Kevin Flora
Kevin Scot Flora was a Major League Baseball outfielder.Drafted by the California Angels in the 2nd round of the 1987 MLB amateur draft, Flora would make his Major League Baseball debut with the California Angels on September 27, 1991, and appear in his final game on September 29, 1995.-Teams:*...
to the Phillies for Dave Gallagher
Dave Gallagher
David Thomas Gallagher , is a former professional baseball player who played outfield in the Major Leagues from 1987-1995.-Teams:* Cleveland Indians 1987* Chicago White Sox 1988-90* Baltimore Orioles 1990...
. In the 1996-97 offseason, he signed with the Houston Astros.
In the 1997 MLB expansion draft
1997 MLB Expansion Draft
The 1997 Major League Baseball expansion draft was conducted by Major League Baseball on November 18, 1997 in the Phoenix Civic Center to stock the major league rosters of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks, new major league expansion franchises that were set to start play in the...
, Springer was chosen by the Arizona Diamondbacks. On June 23, 1998, he was traded by the Diamondbacks to the Atlanta Braves for Alan Embree
Alan Embree
Alan Duane Embree is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. Previously, Embree played with the Cleveland Indians , Atlanta Braves , Arizona Diamondbacks , San Francisco Giants , Chicago White Sox , San Diego Padres , Boston Red Sox , New York...
. In Atlanta, he picked up the win in game six of the 1999 NLCS, which clinched the pennant for the Braves. After the 1999 season, he signed with the Diamondbacks. He signed as a free agent with the Cardinals in the 2002-03 offseason, and with the Astros in 2004.
Springer was involved in a May 16, incident in a game between the Astros and the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
with Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
. Bonds, with 713 career home runs at the time (one short of tying Babe Ruth for 2nd on the career home runs list), was hit by a Springer pitch in the shoulder. Springer was then ejected along with Astros manager Phil Garner
Phil Garner
Philip Mason Garner is a former infielder in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants from 1973 to 1988...
. He received an ovation from Astro fans as he left the field, leading to criticism from Giants manager Felipe Alou and broadcaster Jon Miller
Jon Miller
Jon Wallace Miller is an American sportscaster, known primarily for his broadcasts of Major League Baseball. He is currently employed as a play-by-play announcer for the San Francisco Giants. He was also a baseball announcer on ESPN until the network chose not to renew his contract following the...
that the ovation was in bad taste. Springer was suspended for four games and Garner one game for the incident.
Springer was again signed by the Cardinals before the 2007 season. In , he was 8-1 with an 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...
of 2.18 with the Cardinals. On January 29, , Springer signedwith 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....
. On August 8, 2009 he was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
.
On July 15, 2010, Springer signed with the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. The agreement called for Springer to join the Reds' Triple-A team, the Louisville Bats
Louisville Bats
The Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League...
, for a prep assignment prior to possibly joining the Reds. The Reds' general manager, Walt Jocketty
Walt Jocketty
Walt Jocketty is the General Manager of the Cincinnati Reds. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he attended the University of Minnesota where he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration. He was previously the General Manager of the St...
, was also the general manager for the Cardinals during Springer's two stints there. On August 2, 2010 Springer was called up by the freoms from Louisville, replacing Carlos Fisher
Carlos Fisher
Charles Edward "Carlos" Fisher is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds.-Early life:Fisher graduated from Duarte High School in 2001...
on the active roster.
Springer retired on January 30, 2011.