Scott Sauerbeck
Encyclopedia
Scott William Sauerbeck (born November 9, 1971 in Cincinnati, Ohio
) is a retired left-handed
Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
.
in Cincinnati, Ohio
, and played baseball
, basketball
, and soccer graduating in 1990.
Called himself "the curveball flipping freak"
in Oxford
, Ohio
, Sauerbeck was drafted by the New York Mets
in the 23rd round of the 1994 amateur draft
.
in the Rule 5 Draft
. In four and a half seasons with the Pirates, he had an ERA
of 3.56 and compiled a record of 19-15 with five saves in 341 games out of the bullpen
.
During the season, Sauerbeck and pitcher Mike González were traded to the Boston Red Sox
for Brandon Lyon
and Anastacio Martinez
, but the Pirates backed out of the deal after discovering an injury to Lyon. However, the Pirates and Red Sox worked out another trade that sent Sauerbeck and Jeff Suppan
to Boston for infielder
Freddy Sanchez
. With Boston, he pitched in 26 games and made one postseason appearance.
In the offseason, he signed with the Cleveland Indians
, but missed the season due to an injury. In June , Cleveland released him due to poor performance on the field and being arrested for permitting someone intoxicated to drive his car. Two weeks later, he signed with the Oakland Athletics
. On October 10, 2006, Oakland released him.
On February 2, 2007, he signed a minor league deal with the Houston Astros
. He was released by the Astros while pitching for the Round Rock Express
, their Triple-A affiliate on June 19, 2007. On February 1, 2008, Sauerbeck signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
with the Cincinnati Reds
. The Reds released him on May 6, 2008. He signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox
and was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate, the Charlotte Knights
, later in May. Sauerbeck's final minor league game was August 29, pitching a scoreless inning with two strikeout
s against the Durham Bulls
. He announced his retirement following the game. With the Knights, Scott compiled a 1-2 record with a 4.37 ERA in 37 games.
convertible, driven by Miller, was observed weaving at 3:45 a.m. Police allege that Miller and Sauerbeck attempted to avoid arrest by parking the car and hiding in some bushes in a residential backyard.
Miller was charged with drunken driving. Sauerbeck pleaded not guilty to obstructing official business and permitting someone intoxicated to drive his car.http://www.vindy.com/content/sports/local_regional/292319129047022.php
On July 11, 2006, Sauerbeck pleaded guilty in Avon Lake
Municipal Court to obstruction of official business and permitting someone intoxicated to drive his car. He was fined $1,750, sentenced to 30 days in jail and ordered to perform community service in the form of speeches to students in three local school districts about alcohol use. The 30 day jail sentence was suspended, provided Sauerbeck has no similar offenses for a year. Miller's court case is still pending. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2516859
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
) is a retired 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...
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...
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...
.
High school career
Sauerbeck attended Northwest High SchoolNorthwest High School (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Northwest High School is a public high school located in Colerain Township, Ohio, near Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. It is part of the Northwest Local School District....
in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, and played 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...
, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, and soccer graduating in 1990.
Called himself "the curveball flipping freak"
College career
After attending Miami UniversityMiami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
in Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, Sauerbeck was drafted by 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...
in the 23rd round of the 1994 amateur draft
1994 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1994 Major League Baseball draft.-Compensation picks:-Other notable players:*A.J. Pierzynski , Minnesota Twins, 3rd round*Bobby Howry , San Francisco Giants, 5th round...
.
Professional career
After four seasons in the minor leagues, Sauerbeck was drafted by the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in the Rule 5 Draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. In four and a half seasons with the Pirates, he had 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 3.56 and compiled a record of 19-15 with five saves in 341 games out of the 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"...
.
During the season, Sauerbeck and pitcher Mike González were traded to 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"...
for Brandon Lyon
Brandon Lyon
Brandon James Lyon is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Houston Astros. He throws a 4-seam fastball, 12-6 curveball, slider, and changeup.-Toronto Blue Jays:...
and Anastacio Martinez
Anastacio Martínez
Anastacio Euclides Martínez is a professional baseball pitcher. He played part of the 2004 season in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox, and most recently played for the Calgary Vipers. He is listed with a height of 6'2" and a weight of 180 lbs., and he bats and throws right-handed...
, but the Pirates backed out of the deal after discovering an injury to Lyon. However, the Pirates and Red Sox worked out another trade that sent Sauerbeck and Jeff Suppan
Jeff Suppan
Jeffrey Scot Suppan , is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-Baseball career:Suppan was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the 1993 amateur draft, and rapidly ascended to the Majors making his debut at the age of 20...
to Boston for infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
Freddy Sanchez
Freddy Sanchez
Frederick Phillip "Freddy" Sanchez, Jr. is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the San Francisco Giants. Sanchez has previously played for the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Francisco Giants...
. With Boston, he pitched in 26 games and made one postseason appearance.
In the offseason, he signed with the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, but missed the season due to an injury. In June , Cleveland released him due to poor performance on the field and being arrested for permitting someone intoxicated to drive his car. Two weeks later, he signed with 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 October 10, 2006, Oakland released him.
On February 2, 2007, he signed a minor league deal with 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 was released by the Astros while pitching for the Round Rock Express
Round Rock Express
The Round Rock Express is a class Triple-A Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team in Round Rock, Texas, owned by RSR Sports and founded by Reid Ryan, son of Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. The team is affiliated with the Texas Rangers, for whom Nolan Ryan serves as the president and...
, their Triple-A affiliate on June 19, 2007. On February 1, 2008, Sauerbeck signed a minor league contract with an invitation 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...
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 Reds released him on May 6, 2008. He signed a minor league contract with 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...
and was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate, the Charlotte Knights
Charlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League...
, later in May. Sauerbeck's final minor league game was August 29, pitching a scoreless inning with two 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 against the Durham Bulls
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
. He announced his retirement following the game. With the Knights, Scott compiled a 1-2 record with a 4.37 ERA in 37 games.
Cleveland incident
On May 30, 2006, Scott Sauerbeck and Lily Miller were arrested by police after his 1966 Lincoln ContinentalLincoln Continental
The Lincoln Continental is an automobile which was produced by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from 1939 to 1948 and again from 1956 to 2002...
convertible, driven by Miller, was observed weaving at 3:45 a.m. Police allege that Miller and Sauerbeck attempted to avoid arrest by parking the car and hiding in some bushes in a residential backyard.
Miller was charged with drunken driving. Sauerbeck pleaded not guilty to obstructing official business and permitting someone intoxicated to drive his car.http://www.vindy.com/content/sports/local_regional/292319129047022.php
On July 11, 2006, Sauerbeck pleaded guilty in Avon Lake
Avon Lake, Ohio
Avon Lake is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. The population was 18,145 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Avon Lake is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
Municipal Court to obstruction of official business and permitting someone intoxicated to drive his car. He was fined $1,750, sentenced to 30 days in jail and ordered to perform community service in the form of speeches to students in three local school districts about alcohol use. The 30 day jail sentence was suspended, provided Sauerbeck has no similar offenses for a year. Miller's court case is still pending. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2516859