Buddy Groom

Infobox MLB retired
name=Buddy Groom
position=Pitcher
bats=Left
throws=Left
birthdate=birth date and age|1965|7|10
Dallas, Texas
deathdate=
debutdate=June 20
debutyear=by|1992
debutteam=Detroit Tigers
finaldate=September 24
finalyear=by|2005
finalteam=Arizona Diamondbacks
stat1label=Win-Loss record
stat1value=31-32
stat2label=Earned run average
stat2value=4.64
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=494
teams=
* Detroit Tigers (by|1992-by|1995)
* Florida Marlins (by|1995)
* Oakland Athletics (by|1996-by|1999)
* Baltimore Orioles (by|2000-by|2004)
* New York Yankees (by|2005)
* Arizona Diamondbacks (by|2005)
highlights=
* Led NL in games pitched in 1999 with 76

Wedsel Gary "Buddy" Groom Jr. (born July 10, 1965 in Dallas, Texas) is a former Major League Baseball left-handed middle relief pitcher. He attended the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the by|1987 amateur draft.

He played in the minor leagues, and he eventually signed with the Detroit Tigers in by|1990. He moved up through the minors and broke into the majors as a spot starter for the Tigers in by|1992. He lost all of his 5 decisions, and he did not win a decision until by|1995, his first year as a bonafide reliever.

In 1995, he was traded to the Florida Marlins for Mike Myers, where he finished the year. The next year, he signed with the Oakland Athletics, where he played until by|1999. He signed with the Baltimore Orioles and played there through the by|2004 season. In by|2005, he signed with the New York Yankees. On July 30, 2005, Groom was designated for assignment. During his exit from the Yankees, the "New York Post" reported that Groom said that he wasn't one of "Joe's boys", and claimed he was used as a "mop up guy". Groom was referring to Yankees manager Joe Torre. On July 31, Groom was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. After the 2005 season, Groom became a free agent.

Groom had a career 31-32 record, a 4.64 ERA, and 27 career saves. He started 15 games and recorded 494 strikeouts. He led the league in appearances in 1999 with 76, and is 35th on the all-time list of appearances with 786. He holds the major league record for most games pitched without recording a plate appearance.

External links

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/groombu01.shtml Baseball-Reference.com] - Player Statistics