Alan Embree
Encyclopedia
Alan Duane Embree is a Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
who is currently a free agent. Previously, Embree played with the Cleveland Indians
(1992–1996), Atlanta Braves
(1997–1998), Arizona Diamondbacks
(1998), San Francisco Giants
(1999–2001), Chicago White Sox
(2001), San Diego Padres
(2002 & 2006), Boston Red Sox
(2002–2005), New York Yankees
(2005), Oakland Athletics
(2007–2008), and the Colorado Rockies
(2009). He bats and throws left-handed
, and has been used as a left-handed specialist
. His nickname is "The Gas".
and was a letterman in football
, basketball
, baseball
, and volleyball
. In baseball, he won All-Conference honors.
, and a sharp slider
that is very effective when he can keep it down. In his younger days, Embree's fastball was clocked as high as 96 to 98 mph. During his time with the Red Sox, he began to throw his fastball at slightly lower velocity in order to avoid injuring his arm. He also refined his slider into an effective pitch, whereas before, he had relied almost exclusively on his blazing fastball. He is particularly difficult for left-handed hitters
, and he is not afraid to throw inside. An excellent fielder, he has a good move to first that keeps runners
close.
From 1992 through 2004, Embree had posted a 28-28 record with a 4.38 ERA
and seven saves in 568 games
.
In 2004, Embree recorded the final out against the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS. The Red Sox went on to win the World Series
and Embree received his World Series Championship ring on Opening Day, 2005.
In 2005 with the Boston Red Sox, Embree's record was 1-4 with a 7.65 ERA in 43 outings. As a result of these sub-par numbers, Embree was designated for assignment
on July 19. He was signed by the New York Yankees on July 30 to replace Buddy Groom
who was designated for assignment.
On December 6, 2006 it was announced that Embree agreed to a two-year deal with the Oakland Athletics including an option for the 2009 season. Embree spent the bulk of his time serving as the team's closer
while Huston Street
was injured for a prolonged period.
On December 13, 2008 it was announced that Embree had agreed to a one-year deal with the Colorado Rockies
for the 2009 season and an option for the 2010 season.
On July 7, 2009 Embree became only the second pitcher since 1990 to be awarded a win without throwing a single pitch. This is because he was able to pick a man off at 1st base.
On July 10, 2009, Embree's right tibia
was broken after he was struck in the leg by a line drive off the bat of Atlanta Brave Martin Prado
. The injury required surgery and caused Embree to miss the rest of the 2009 season.
On March 20, 2010, the Boston Red Sox signed Embree to a Minor League contract with a Major League Spring Training invitation. Embree had a clause in his contract that would grant him a release by April 15 if he was not on the major league roster. He opted to remain with the Boston organization and was called up on April 28. However, he was designated for assignment on May 1 without appearing in a game.
On May 11, 2010, the Chicago White Sox
signed Embree and assigned him to the Triple A Charlotte Knights
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
who is currently a free agent. Previously, Embree played with the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(1992–1996), Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
(1997–1998), Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
(1998), San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
(1999–2001), Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(2001), San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
(2002 & 2006), Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(2002–2005), New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
(2005), Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
(2007–2008), and the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
(2009). He bats and throws left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
, and has been used as a left-handed specialist
Left-handed specialist
In baseball, a left-handed specialist is a left-handed relief pitcher who specializes in pitching to left-handed batters, or to switch-hitters who bat poorly right-handed...
. His nickname is "The Gas".
High school years
Embree attended Prairie High School in Brush Prairie, WashingtonBrush Prairie, Washington
Brush Prairie is a census-designated place in Clark County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,384 at the 2000 census.Based on per capita income, one of the more reliable measures of affluence, Brush Prairie ranks 57th of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be...
and was a letterman in football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, and volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
. In baseball, he won All-Conference honors.
Professional career
Embree relies primarily on two pitches: a 90 to 95 MPH four-seam fastballFour-seam fastball
A four-seam fastball, also called a rising fastball, a four-seamer, or a cross-seam fastball, is a pitch in baseball. It is a member of the fastball family...
, and a sharp slider
Slider
In baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
that is very effective when he can keep it down. In his younger days, Embree's fastball was clocked as high as 96 to 98 mph. During his time with the Red Sox, he began to throw his fastball at slightly lower velocity in order to avoid injuring his arm. He also refined his slider into an effective pitch, whereas before, he had relied almost exclusively on his blazing fastball. He is particularly difficult for left-handed hitters
Batting (baseball)
In baseball, batting is the act of facing the opposing pitcher and trying to produce offense for one's team. A batter or hitter is a person whose turn it is to face the pitcher...
, and he is not afraid to throw inside. An excellent fielder, he has a good move to first that keeps runners
Baserunning
In baseball, baserunning is the act of running around the bases performed by members of the team at bat.In general, baserunning is a tactical part of the game with the goal of eventually reaching home to score a run. In fact, the goal of batting is generally to produce baserunners, or help move...
close.
From 1992 through 2004, Embree had posted a 28-28 record with a 4.38 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
and seven saves in 568 games
Games pitched
In baseball statistics, games pitched is the number of games in which a player appears as a pitcher; a player who is announced as the pitcher must face at least one batter, although exceptions are made if the pitcher announced in the starting lineup is injured before facing a batter, perhaps while...
.
In 2004, Embree recorded the final out against the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS. The Red Sox went on to win the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
and Embree received his World Series Championship ring on Opening Day, 2005.
In 2005 with the Boston Red Sox, Embree's record was 1-4 with a 7.65 ERA in 43 outings. As a result of these sub-par numbers, Embree was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
on July 19. He was signed by the New York Yankees on July 30 to replace Buddy Groom
Buddy Groom
Wedsel Gary "Buddy" Groom Jr. 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 amateur draft....
who was designated for assignment.
On December 6, 2006 it was announced that Embree agreed to a two-year deal with the Oakland Athletics including an option for the 2009 season. Embree spent the bulk of his time serving as the team's closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
while Huston Street
Huston Street
Huston Lowell Street is an American baseball relief pitcher for the Colorado Rockies. His father is former University of Texas quarterback James Street, and his brother Juston Street is currently a pitcher for the minor league Vancouver Canadians....
was injured for a prolonged period.
On December 13, 2008 it was announced that Embree had agreed to a one-year deal with the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
for the 2009 season and an option for the 2010 season.
On July 7, 2009 Embree became only the second pitcher since 1990 to be awarded a win without throwing a single pitch. This is because he was able to pick a man off at 1st base.
On July 10, 2009, Embree's right tibia
Tibia
The tibia , shinbone, or shankbone is the larger and stronger of the two bones in the leg below the knee in vertebrates , and connects the knee with the ankle bones....
was broken after he was struck in the leg by a line drive off the bat of Atlanta Brave Martin Prado
Martín Prado
Martín Manuel Prado is a professional baseball player who currently plays for the Atlanta Braves....
. The injury required surgery and caused Embree to miss the rest of the 2009 season.
On March 20, 2010, the Boston Red Sox signed Embree to a Minor League contract with a Major League Spring Training invitation. Embree had a clause in his contract that would grant him a release by April 15 if he was not on the major league roster. He opted to remain with the Boston organization and was called up on April 28. However, he was designated for assignment on May 1 without appearing in a game.
On May 11, 2010, the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
signed Embree and assigned him to the Triple A Charlotte Knights
Charlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League...
.