Todd Coffey
Encyclopedia
Justin Todd Coffey is an American professional baseball
pitcher
. He was born in Forest City
, North Carolina
.
in the 41st round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft
out of Chase High School in Forest City, North Carolina. He made his major league debut on April 19, 2005, pitching two innings and giving up two runs
against the Chicago Cubs
.
On September 9, 2008, Coffey was designated for assignment by the Reds and claimed by the Milwaukee Brewers
on September 12. On December 8, 2008, Coffey agreed to a one-year deal with the Brewers, avoiding arbitration.
On April 22, 2009, Coffey made an appearance as the closer
; he held the role until Trevor Hoffman
returned from an injury.
On December 2, 2010, the Milwaukee Brewers announced the team would not offer him arbitration. He elected to become a free agent the next day.
Coffey mainly throws two pitches: a sinking fastball
that goes up to 95–96 mph, and a sharp dropping slider
at 81–82 mph.
He is best known for his full-speed sprints from the bullpen to the mound when he is brought into games. As a result, the Brewers introduced a "Coffey Time!" graphic on the scoreboard that kept track of Coffey's time to sprint from the bullpen to the pitcher's mound after getting called out to pitch. When Coffey sprinted to the mound, Former WWF Superstar the Ultimate Warrior's entrance music was played. (Although Coffey now sprints out to a western movie song)
Coffey signed with the Nationals on January 24, 2011. He finished the year with a 3.62 ERA and became a free agent following the season.
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...
. He was born in Forest City
Forest City, North Carolina
Forest City, formerly known as "Burnt Chimney," is a town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 7,549 as of the 2000 census.-Geography:Forest City is located at ....
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.
Baseball career
Coffey was drafted by the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati 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....
in the 41st round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft
1998 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1998 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1998...
out of Chase High School in Forest City, North Carolina. He made his major league debut on April 19, 2005, pitching two innings and giving up two runs
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...
against 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...
.
On September 9, 2008, Coffey was designated for assignment by the Reds and claimed by the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
on September 12. On December 8, 2008, Coffey agreed to a one-year deal with the Brewers, avoiding arbitration.
On April 22, 2009, Coffey made an appearance as the closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
; he held the role until Trevor Hoffman
Trevor Hoffman
Trevor William Hoffman is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During his 18-year career from 1993 to 2010, he pitched for the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and the Milwaukee Brewers, spending years of his career with the Padres. A long-time closer, he is the Major...
returned from an injury.
On December 2, 2010, the Milwaukee Brewers announced the team would not offer him arbitration. He elected to become a free agent the next day.
Coffey mainly throws two pitches: a sinking fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
that goes up to 95–96 mph, and a sharp dropping slider
Slider
In baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
at 81–82 mph.
He is best known for his full-speed sprints from the bullpen to the mound when he is brought into games. As a result, the Brewers introduced a "Coffey Time!" graphic on the scoreboard that kept track of Coffey's time to sprint from the bullpen to the pitcher's mound after getting called out to pitch. When Coffey sprinted to the mound, Former WWF Superstar the Ultimate Warrior's entrance music was played. (Although Coffey now sprints out to a western movie song)
Coffey signed with the Nationals on January 24, 2011. He finished the year with a 3.62 ERA and became a free agent following the season.