Ben Weber (baseball)

Ben Edward Weber (born November 17, 1969 in Port Arthur, Texas) was a Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. Weber was most known for his strange pitching motion on the mound.

Career

Weber attended Port Neches-Groves High School and then the University of Houston. Weber was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 20th round (537th overall) of the 1991 amateur draft. After spending six years in the Blue Jays minor league system, Weber left and pitched in Taiwan from 1997 to 1998. In 1999, he pitched in the San Francisco Giants minor league system. On April 3, 2000, Weber made his major league debut against the Florida Marlins at the age of 30.

In August 2000, Weber was traded to the Anaheim Angels and his career was changed. In 2002, Weber and the Angels went on to win the 2002 World Series. Weber's best years came in 2002 and 2003, which he posted an ERA below 3.00. In 2004, Weber had a terrible season in which he posted an ERA over 8.00. Weber was released by the Angels in September 2004. On December 15, 2004, Weber signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds. Weber couldn't regain his old form and posted a 8.03 ERA.

In January 2006, Weber signed a minor-league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. At the start of the season, Weber was sent to the Blue Jays minor league system. Weber was then released.

Windup

Weber was known for his strange pitching windup. He would pump his glove up and down twice in which he then made his high leg kick and then would release the ball with his arm at three quarters angle.

External links

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/weberbe01.shtml Ben Weber's career statistics]