Bob Wickman

Infobox MLB retired
name=Bob Wickman


caption=Wickman with the Braves in 2007
width=200
position=Pitcher
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1969|2|6
Green Bay, Wisconsin
deathdate=
debutdate=August 24
debutyear=by|1992
debutteam=New York Yankees
finaldate=September 30
finalyear=by|2007
finalteam=Arizona Diamondbacks
stat1label=Win-Loss record
stat1value=63-61
stat2label=Earned run average
stat2value=3.57
stat3label=Saves
stat3value=267
teams=
* New York Yankees (by|1992-by|1996)
* Milwaukee Brewers (by|1996-by|2000)
* Cleveland Indians (by|2000-by|2006)
* Atlanta Braves (by|2006-by|2007)
* Arizona Diamondbacks (by|2007)
highlights=
* 2x All-Star selection (2000, 2005)
* Led AL in saves in 2005 with 45
* Led AL in games pitched in 1994 with 53

Robert Joe Wickman (born February 6, 1969 in Green Bay, Wisconsin) is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Wickman played for the New York Yankees (by|1992-by|1996), Milwaukee Brewers (1996-by|2000), Cleveland Indians (2000-by|2006), Atlanta Braves (2006-by|2007), and Arizona Diamondbacks (2007). He batted and threw right-handed.

During a childhood farming accident, Wickman lost part of his index finger on his right hand, to which he credited much of the sinking motion on his fastball.

chool career

At Oconto Falls High School, Wickman played football, baseball and basketball, being named an All-State pick in basketball. After high school, he attended University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the by|1990 amateur draft (2nd round). In 1992, he was sent by Chicago to the New York Yankees in the same trade that brought Steve Sax to the White Sox.

Major league career

On May 7, 2006, Bob Wickman became the Indians’ all-time franchise leader in saved games with 130, surpassing the record previously held by Doug Jones.

On July 20, 2006, Wickman was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Single-A Rome catcher Max Ramírez. Wickman then served as Atlanta's closer, recording his first save on July 24.

On September 20, 2006, Wickman signed a one-year contract extension to stay with the Atlanta Braves for the 2007 season.

On August 24, 2007, due to recent struggles, the Braves released Wickman. This move came after he gave up a walk-off home run to the Reds' Adam Dunn in extra innings. Wickman complained after the game that he didn't like pitching in non-save situations.

On September 7, 2007, Wickman signed a contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, a move that signaled that he had backed off his disdain for non-save situations, given that the team had an established closer in Jose Valverde. Wickman pitched in 8 games for the Diamondbacks, going 0-1 with a 1.35 ERA. He became a free agent after the season, subsequently retiring.

ee also

* List of Major League Baseball saves champions
*List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders

External links

*baseball-reference|id=w/wickmbo01
* [http://www.wickmanswarriors.com Wickmans's Warriors] - Official Bob Wickman Baseball Club