Wes Littleton
Encyclopedia
Wes Avi Littleton is a right-handed Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
who is presently a free agent
. Littleton, who pitches with a sidearm
delivery, made his major league debut on July 4, with the Texas Rangers
against the Toronto Blue Jays
.
Littleton failed to make the Rangers' big league roster to start the season, and was optioned to the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks
, but was later called up to play for Texas.
He was credited with saving the game between the Rangers and the Baltimore Orioles
on August 22, 2007—a game in which Littleton pitched the final three scoreless innings in relief, after entering the game with a 14–3 lead, which he kept while his team scored another 16 runs
. The final 27-run differential broke the previous MLB record of 19 for largest winning margin for a save. The New York Times
noted that "there are the preposterous saves, of which Littleton’s now stands out as No. 1."
On November 28, 2008, Littleton was traded to the Boston Red Sox
in exchange for a player to be named later
, minor league pitcher Beau Vaughan. On March 17, 2009, Littleton was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers
.
Littleton signed a minor league contract on March 1, 2010, with the Seattle Mariners
. He became a free agent after 2010 season.
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...
who is presently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. Littleton, who pitches with a sidearm
Sidearm
In baseball, sidearm describes balls thrown along a low, approximately horizontal axis rather than a high, mostly vertical axis ....
delivery, made his major league debut on July 4, 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...
against 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 ....
.
Littleton failed to make the Rangers' big league roster to start the season, and was optioned to 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...
, but was later called up to play for Texas.
He was credited with saving the game between the Rangers and the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
on August 22, 2007—a game in which Littleton pitched the final three scoreless innings in relief, after entering the game with a 14–3 lead, which he kept while his team scored another 16 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...
. The final 27-run differential broke the previous MLB record of 19 for largest winning margin for a save. The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
noted that "there are the preposterous saves, of which Littleton’s now stands out as No. 1."
On November 28, 2008, Littleton was 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"...
in exchange for a player to be named later
Player to be named later
The concept of the "player to be named later" is most often associated with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trades.-Description:...
, minor league pitcher Beau Vaughan. On March 17, 2009, Littleton was claimed off waivers 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...
.
Littleton signed a minor league contract on March 1, 2010, with the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
. He became a free agent after 2010 season.