Jason Isringhausen: Difference between revisions

Jason Isringhausen
Jason Isringhausen
New York Mets – No. 45
	Relief pitcher
	Born: September 7, 1972 (age 52); Brighton, Illinois
	Bats: Right Throws: Right
debut
	July 17, 1995, for the New York Mets
Career statistics ; (through July 30, 2011)
Win-Loss	47–50
Earned run average	3.56
Strikeouts	787
Saves	298
	Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
	New York Mets (1995–1997, 1999); Oakland Athletics (1999–2001); St Louis Cardinals (2002–2008); Tampa Bay Rays (2009); New York Mets (2011–present);
Career highlights and awards
	2× All-Star selection (2000, 2005); World Series champion (2006);

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Revision as of 02:16, 3 August 2011

Jason Derik Isringhausen (born September 7, 1972) is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the New York Mets. He was an unsigned free agent prior to the 2011 season, but his mother called Mets GM Sandy Alderson and asked if Jason could play too.

Pro career

New York Mets

Isringhausen was chosen as a draft-and-follow prospect by the New York Mets in the 44th round of the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft. He signed in May 1992.

In the mid-1990s, Isringhausen, along with pitchers Bill Pulsipher and Paul Wilson were all widely hyped as the next generation of New York Mets' superstars, despite all being in the minor leagues. The group received considerable press attention and the nickname "Generation K". However, injuries took their toll and 1995 was the first year that all three started the season healthy.

Isringhausen began his career as a starter for the Mets near the end of the season, posting a 9-2 record in 14 starts. But a steady progression of serious injuries, including tuberculosis, a broken wrist (sustained while punching a dugout trash can) and three major operations on his pitching arm, derailed his progression into a major-league rotation. Consequently, he was forced to miss most of the 1997 season, as well as the entire 1998 season. When he was finally healthy in 1999, he was moved to the bullpen after only five starts. After inconsistent play with the Mets, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics at the trading deadline for reliever Billy Taylor. Mets manager Bobby Valentine was reluctant to use Isringhausen in relief, saying that it would be akin to "[using] an Indy car as a taxi."^[1]

Oakland Athletics

As a relief pitcher and closer for the Athletics, Isringhausen's performance improved. Isringhausen established himself as a top closer with Oakland, as the A's made the playoffs in 2000 and 2001.

St. Louis Cardinals

Isringhausen signed with the Cardinals as a free agent before the 2002 season. During Isringhausen's time with the team, the Cardinals won the Central Division in 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006 with World Series appearances in 2004 and 2006, winning the World Series in 2006. He had a league-leading 47 saves in 2004 and had a second-best 2.14 ERA in 2005.

Despite this success, Isringhausen's 2006 season began with two losses and a blown save in his first five appearances. He struggled with control problems throughout the season, leading to 38 walks (the most given up by Isringhausen in a season since he became a closer) and a 3.55 ERA, which was his highest ERA as a closer since the 2000 season, in which his ERA was 3.78. Isringhausen finished the season with a 4-8 record and 33 saves along with 10 blown saves. He missed the entire 2006 playoffs due to a hip injury, allowing rookie Adam Wainwright to become the Cardinals' closer for the playoffs and that team's World Series Championship.

During the 2006 off-season, Isringhausen underwent his second hip surgery in two years. With Wainwright slotted into the rotation, Isringhausen was returned to the closer role to begin 2007. Isringhausen responded by notching career numbers in 2007, posting a 4-0 record, 2.48 ERA, and 32 saves while walking only 28, striking out 54, and giving up only 4 home runs in 63.1 innings pitched, appearing in 63 games. Batters hit .179 against him.

On September 25, 2007, Isringhausen was named as one of 10 finalists for the "DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Year Award"; and on October 5, 2007 it was announced the St. Louis Cardinals had picked up Isringhausen's option for the 2008 season.

On May 10, 2008, manager Tony La Russa removed Isringhausen as the club's closer. On July 29, 2008, Tony La Russa announced that Jason had been placed as the closer again.

On August 19, 2008, Isringhausen left the team due to lingering elbow tendinitis and a torn tendon.^[2]^[3]

Tampa Bay Rays

On February 20, 2009, Isringhausen signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays with an invitation to spring training.^[4] On April 1, 2009, Isringhausen was added to the 40-man roster of the Rays, and began the season on the disabled list.^[5]^[6] Once activated, Jason pitched in nine games before it was announced on June 13 that he tore a ligament in the surgically repaired right elbow and would miss the rest of the season to undergo Tommy John surgery.^[7]

Cincinnati Reds

On July 20, 2010, Isringhausen pitched a bullpen session for the Cincinnati Reds. He impressed both pitching coach Bryan Price and former Cardinals and current Reds General Manager Walt Jocketty enough that the Reds prepared a contract offer for Isringhausen.^[8]

On July 22, 2010, Isringhausen agreed to terms with a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.^[9]

Return to the Mets

Isringhausen signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training for the 2011 season.^[10] He began the season in extended spring training, but was promoted to the Mets on April 10.^[11] He had a good outing in his first game, against the Colorado Rockies. He was called in with 1 out in the bottom of the eight and retired both batters he faced. He was being used as the 8th inning setup pitcher for the Mets until previous closer Francisco Rodriguez was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. Isringhausen was then moved to the closer's role. On July 19th, 2011, he picked up his first save since 2008.

References

^ Hermoso, Rafael. "Brewers Call Rick a Cheater". New York Daily News. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
^ "Isringhausen leaves team". Retrieved 2010-09-24.^{[dead link‍]}
^ Falkoff, Robert (2008-08-19). "Isringhausen's season is likely finished". MLB.com. Stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
^ Chastain, Bill (2009-02-20). "Rays ink Isringhausen to Minors deal". MLB.com. Tampabay.rays.mlb.com. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
^ Chastain, Bill (2009-03-31). "Rays to add Isringhausen to roster". MLB.com. Tampabay.rays.mlb.com. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
^ "Tampa Bay Rays 40-man roster". Tampabay.rays.mlb.com. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
^ "Jason Isringhausen will miss the rest of the season after tearing a ligament in his surgically repaired right elbow". Heraldtribune.com. 2009-06-16. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
^ Brown, Matt (2010-07-20). "Isringhausen could be reunited with Jocketty". MLB.com. Cincinnati.reds.mlb.com. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
^ Sheldon, Mark (2010-07-22). "Isringhausen signs minor league deal". MLB.com. Cincinnati.reds.mlb.com. Retrieved 2010-09-24. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
^ http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110215&content_id=16639238&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb
^ http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110410&content_id=17605098&notebook_id=17605104&vkey=notebook_nym&c_id=nym

External links

Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)

Preceded by Éric Gagné	National League Saves Champion 2004 (with Armando Benitez)	Succeeded by Chad Cordero
Preceded by Jonathan Papelbon	DHL Delivery Man Award May 2006	Succeeded by Bobby Jenks

Template:Persondata

[DailyNews1999-1] Hermoso, Rafael. "Brewers Call Rick a Cheater". New York Daily News. Retrieved 24 March 2011.

[2] "Isringhausen leaves team". Retrieved 2010-09-24.^{[dead link‍]}

[3] Falkoff, Robert (2008-08-19). "Isringhausen's season is likely finished". MLB.com. Stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com. Retrieved 2010-09-24.

[4] Chastain, Bill (2009-02-20). "Rays ink Isringhausen to Minors deal". MLB.com. Tampabay.rays.mlb.com. Retrieved 2010-09-24.

[5] Chastain, Bill (2009-03-31). "Rays to add Isringhausen to roster". MLB.com. Tampabay.rays.mlb.com. Retrieved 2010-09-24.

[6] "Tampa Bay Rays 40-man roster". Tampabay.rays.mlb.com. Retrieved 2010-09-24.

[7] "Jason Isringhausen will miss the rest of the season after tearing a ligament in his surgically repaired right elbow". Heraldtribune.com. 2009-06-16. Retrieved 2010-09-24.

[8] Brown, Matt (2010-07-20). "Isringhausen could be reunited with Jocketty". MLB.com. Cincinnati.reds.mlb.com. Retrieved 2010-09-24.

[9] Sheldon, Mark (2010-07-22). "Isringhausen signs minor league deal". MLB.com. Cincinnati.reds.mlb.com. Retrieved 2010-09-24. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

[10] ttp://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110215&content_id=16639238&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

[11] ttp://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110410&content_id=17605098&notebook_id=17605104&vkey=notebook_nym&c_id=nym

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 * [[World Series]] champion ([[2006 World Series|2006]])
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-'''Jason Derik Isringhausen''' (born September 7, 1972) is a [[Major League Baseball]] relief pitcher for the [[New York Mets]].
+'''Jason Derik Isringhausen''' (born September 7, 1972) is a [[Major League Baseball]] relief pitcher for the [[New York Mets]].  He was an unsigned free agent prior to the 2011 season, but his mother called Mets GM Sandy Alderson and asked if Jason could play too.
 ==Pro career==