Tanyon Sturtze
Encyclopedia
Tanyon James Sturtze is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
.
He attended Saint Peter-Marian High School
then Quinsigamond Community College
and was drafted by the Oakland Athletics
in the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft
. In , he was selected by the Chicago Cubs
in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft. He pitched two innings, allowing two runs, with the major league team that year. He spent the next two seasons alternating between the Triple-A Iowa Cubs
and the Chicago Cubs, and in , he signed with the Texas Rangers
, again alternating between the major and minor league squads. In , he did not play major league ball, and in , he became a member of the Chicago White Sox
, becoming a permanent major league reliever. He was dealt to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
in exchange for Tony Graffanino
in the season, and became a key starter for the perennially last-place Devil Rays. However, the season was a dismal one for Sturtze; he had a 4-18 record and led the majors in losses (18), earned runs allowed (129), hits allowed (271), walks allowed (89) and batters faced (1008). He was also seventh in innings pitched
(224) and games started (33), and third in home run
s allowed (33).
In , he joined the Toronto Blue Jays
, and in , he joined the New York Yankees
, where he became a consistent reliever, helping the Yankees to win the AL East in 2004. On July 24, 2004, he was involved in a brawl with the Boston Red Sox
. After a fight broke out between Jason Varitek
and Alex Rodriguez
, Sturtze tangled with Gabe Kapler
, David Ortiz
, and Trot Nixon
, and he emerged from the fight with a cut below his ear and blood smeared on his jersey. He missed most of the season after having season-ending surgery to repair a slight tear in his right rotator cuff.
On December 3, 2006, Sturtze signed a one year $750,000 contract with the Atlanta Braves
. The contract paid him an additional $350,000 if he spent one day on the active 25 man roster. However,
in March , Sturtze was placed on the 15-day DL, he was transferred to the 60-day DL in May 2007 and given his unconditional release on August 21.
Sturtze was signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
by the Los Angeles Dodgers
on December 12, 2007. He was assigned to the Dodgers Double-A affiliate, the Jacksonville Suns
and was later promoted to the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s
. He was called up to the majors on August 14, , but was designated for assignment on August 28, and was sent outright to the minors a few days later. Sturtze requested to stay with the team in some capacity, so he was made a bullpen catcher for the remainder of the season and into the playoffs.
In January , Sturtze re-signed with the Dodgers to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. He did not make the Major League roster and was assigned to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes
. The Dodgers released Sturtze on May 1.
After retiring, Sturtze began a second career as an insurance salesman with the Hotaling Group in New York.
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...
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...
.
He attended Saint Peter-Marian High School
Saint Peter-Marian High School
-Campus and location:Saint Peter-Marian's campus is situated upon a hill in a residential neighborhood. It is less than one mile to the town of Holden, Massachusetts. There is one main building with an annex that houses the senior high school, while another building is home to the junior high...
then Quinsigamond Community College
Quinsigamond Community College
Quinsigamond Community College is a public, two-year academic institution in Worcester, Massachusetts. A commuter school, the college has an enrollment of over 8,000 students in its Associate's degree and certification programs...
and was drafted by 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 the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft
1990 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1990 Major League Baseball draft.-Background:The draft went a record 101 rounds, surpassing 1989's total of 88, and included a record 1,487 selections. The Astros led all clubs with 100 selections. Seattle was second with 75,...
. In , he was selected by the 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...
in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft. He pitched two innings, allowing two runs, with the major league team that year. He spent the next two seasons alternating between the Triple-A Iowa Cubs
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, that plays in the Pacific Coast League. Their home games are played in Des Moines, Iowa, at Principal Park.-Franchise history:...
and the Chicago Cubs, and in , he signed with the 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...
, again alternating between the major and minor league squads. In , he did not play major league ball, and in , he became a member of 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...
, becoming a permanent major league reliever. He was dealt to the Tampa Bay Devil 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...
in exchange for Tony Graffanino
Tony Graffanino
Anthony Joseph Graffanino is a former American Major League Baseball second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop. Though he never officially retired, Graffanino has not played since .-Career:...
in the season, and became a key starter for the perennially last-place Devil Rays. However, the season was a dismal one for Sturtze; he had a 4-18 record and led the majors in losses (18), earned runs allowed (129), hits allowed (271), walks allowed (89) and batters faced (1008). He was also seventh in innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
(224) and games started (33), and third in 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 allowed (33).
In , he joined 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 ....
, and in , he joined 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...
, where he became a consistent reliever, helping the Yankees to win the AL East in 2004. On July 24, 2004, he was involved in a brawl with 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"...
. After a fight broke out between Jason Varitek
Jason Varitek
Jason Andrew Varitek is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. After being traded as a minor league prospect by the Seattle Mariners, Varitek has played his entire major league career for the Boston Red Sox...
and Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...
, Sturtze tangled with Gabe Kapler
Gabe Kapler
Gabriel "Gabe" Stefan Kapler is an American Major League Baseball outfielder.He has played portions of 13 seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Tampa Bay Rays...
, David Ortiz
David Ortiz
David Américo Ortiz Arias , known as David Ortiz, nicknamed "Big Papi", is a Dominican American professional baseball player who is currently a free agent. Previously, Ortiz played with the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox...
, and Trot Nixon
Trot Nixon
Christopher Trotman Nixon is an American retired professional baseball right fielder. He played from 1996-2008 for three different teams, but is noted primarily for his time with the Boston Red Sox...
, and he emerged from the fight with a cut below his ear and blood smeared on his jersey. He missed most of the season after having season-ending surgery to repair a slight tear in his right rotator cuff.
On December 3, 2006, Sturtze signed a one year $750,000 contract with 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....
. The contract paid him an additional $350,000 if he spent one day on the active 25 man roster. However,
in March , Sturtze was placed on the 15-day DL, he was transferred to the 60-day DL in May 2007 and given his unconditional release on August 21.
Sturtze was signed to 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...
by the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los 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...
on December 12, 2007. He was assigned to the Dodgers Double-A affiliate, the Jacksonville Suns
Jacksonville Suns
The Jacksonville Suns are a minor league baseball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The team is currently a member of the Southern League and is the class Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins Major League Baseball team...
and was later promoted to the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s
Las Vegas 51s
The Las Vegas 51s, formerly known as the Las Vegas Stars, are a minor league baseball team. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League...
. He was called up to the majors on August 14, , but was designated for assignment on August 28, and was sent outright to the minors a few days later. Sturtze requested to stay with the team in some capacity, so he was made a bullpen catcher for the remainder of the season and into the playoffs.
In January , Sturtze re-signed with the Dodgers to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. He did not make the Major League roster and was assigned to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes
Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers...
. The Dodgers released Sturtze on May 1.
After retiring, Sturtze began a second career as an insurance salesman with the Hotaling Group in New York.