Jeff Weaver

Infobox MLB player


width = 150px
name=Jeff Weaver
position=Starting pitcher
team= Cleveland Indians
number=--
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1976|8|22
birthplace=city-state|Northridge|California
debutdate=April 14
debutyear=1999
debutteam=Detroit Tigers
statyear=2007
stat1label=Win-Loss
stat1value=93-114
stat2label=Earned run average
stat2value=4.72
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=1,124
teams=
*Detroit Tigers (by|1999-by|2002)
*New York Yankees (by|2002-by|2003)
*Los Angeles Dodgers (by|2004-by|2005)
*Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (by|2006)
*St. Louis Cardinals (by|2006)
*Seattle Mariners (by|2007)|

Jeffrey Charles Weaver (born August 22, 1976 in Northridge, Los Angeles, California) is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher in the Cleveland Indians organization. He has also pitched for the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, St. Louis Cardinals, and Seattle Mariners.

Professional career

Weaver was drafted by Detroit in the first round of the by|1998 amateur draft and made his Major League debut a year later. He was their Opening Day starter in by|2001 and by|2002. In the 2002 season, he was traded to the New York Yankees in a three team deal that also involved the Oakland Athletics and Yankees prospects John-Ford Griffin, Jason Arnold, and Ted Lilly.

Weaver's time with the Yankees was very turbulent, bouncing in and out of the starting rotation. In Game 4 of the 2003 World Series, he allowed a 12th inning walk-off home run to Álex González. He was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the off-season for Kevin Brown.

In by|2005, the Dodgers built their rotation around Weaver. He went 14-11, with a 4.22 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP, 3 complete games and a career-high 157 strikeouts in 224 innings. Following the 2005 season, Weaver filed for free agency. The Dodgers offered him salary arbitration, but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement.

On February 15, by|2006, Weaver signed a 1-year deal with the Angels for $8.5 million. After posting a 3-10 record with a 6.29 ERA in Anaheim, he was designated for assignment on June 30. Coincidentally, his younger brother, Jered Weaver, was recalled and replaced Jeff in the starting rotation.

On July 5 2006, the St. Louis Cardinals acquired Weaver from the Angels in exchange for minor leaguer Terry Evans and cash considerations. He debuted with the team as a pinch hitter in a 14-inning game between the Cardinals and Dodgers on July 13, 2006, at Busch Stadium.

Jered and Jeff both appeared in a July 2006 issue of Sports Illustrated that chronicled how Jeff Weaver's trade impacted Jeff and Jered both baseball-wise and in life away from the game. The younger Weaver was disappointed that his brother left without being around to see him set history by winning his first 9 career decisions.

After yielding six runs in four innings in his first start, Weaver played a key role in the Cardinals World Series win. He won important games for the Cardinals in the final weeks of the season, helping them win the National League Central Division, and he started and won Game 2 of the 2006 National League Division Series. Weaver started and was the losing pitcher for Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets on October 12, 2006. He pitched five scoreless innings before giving up a two-run home run to Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran in the sixth inning; as the Cards lost 2-0.

In Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on October 17, 2006, Weaver pitched 6 innings allowing 2 runs on 6 hits, winning his second game of the 2006 postseason.

After losing Game 2 of the 2006 World Series to the Detroit Tigers, Weaver came back on October 27, 2006, in Game 5 to pitch 8 innings, giving up 4 hits and 1 earned run. He was credited with the win as the Cardinals clinched the series 4-1.

On January 26, by|2007, the Seattle Mariners signed Weaver as a free agent to a one-year deal worth $8-9 million. Weaver had a 14.32 ERA with only 22 innings pitched after 6 starts and was placed on the 15-day disabled list with “right shoulder tendinitis”. It was speculated that this was a strategic move by the team to allow Weaver to take some time off and make a series of “Rehab” starts with a minor league affiliate. The hope was that he would be able to work out his problems without adversly impacting the Major League ball club; it seemed to work as Weaver pitched more effectively after his return. On June 20 versus the Pittsburgh Pirates, Weaver posted a 4-hit, complete game, 7-0 shutout, which was his first win with Seattle. Although he pitched well in July and August, he finished with a 7-13 record and 6.20 ERA and became a free agent after the season.

On April 15, by|2008, Weaver signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. [ [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/04/15/heyman.weaver/ Jeff Weaver signs with Brewers] ] If he was called up to the majors by June, it could be worth up to an estimated $4-5 million with incentives. The base salary was likely at league minimum, however. [ [http://blogs.jsonline.com/brewers/archive/2008/04/15/weaver-details-coming-out.aspx Weaver details coming out] ] On June 12, Weaver requested and was granted a release from his contract. On July 5, Weaver signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians.

Trivia

* Allowed five home runs in a game on two separate occasions, tying a club record each time: With the Tigers, July 24, by|1999, tying the club record set by Don Mossi in by|1961; and July 21, 2002, tying the Yankees record shared by five others (Joe Ostrowski, John Cumberland, Ron Guidry, David Wells, and Randy Johnson). Coincidentally, in each game, Weaver was facing the Boston Red Sox.
*Attended Simi Valley High School in Simi Valley, California.
*Once appeared on the Jerry Springer Show as guest security personnel.
*In August, 2003, ebay member "freerangeveal" attempted to sell Weaver on eBay. The auction appeared the day after Weaver gave up 11 runs against the Kansas City Royals. The auction lasted for one day, and the bidding reached the ebay limit and record of $99,999,999.00 before it was removed as against eBay policy. [ [http://forums.thesmartmarks.com/index.php?showtopic=39087 Jeff Weaver for sale on Ebay - TheSmartMarks.com ] ]
*In 2001, Weaver had a clash with former Kansas City Royals' first baseman Mike Sweeney. Weaver, who was a member of the Tigers at the time, was pitching to Sweeney. In between pitches, Weaver put his glove over his mouth and appeared to say something to Sweeney. Sweeney rushed out to the pitcher's mound, launched his batting helmet at Weaver, and eventually tackled Weaver and sent a barrage of punches at Weaver's face.

ee also

* MLB All-Time Hit Batsmen List

References

External links

*baseballstats |mlb=213711 |espn=4039 |br=w/weaveje01 |fangraphs=503 |cube=W/Jeff-Weaver