Brian Shouse
Encyclopedia
Brian Douglas Shouse is a former left-handed
Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
. Starting in 2001, Shouse pitched with a distinctive sidearm delivery, which replaced his earlier, more traditional, overhand delivery.
in Peoria, Illinois
from 1987 until 1990, when he signed with the Pirates after being drafted in the 13th round of the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft
. He is in the Bradley Braves
Hall of Fame.
Shouse made his Major League debut in 1993, appearing in 6 games that season for the Pittsburgh Pirates
. He would then spend several years in the minor leagues of the Pirates and Baltimore Orioles
organizations and would not appear in the major leagues again until 1998, with the Boston Red Sox
. Again, Shouse would experience a long drought from the major leagues after 1998 bouncing around the minor league organizations of the Arizona Diamondbacks
, Baltimore Orioles
, New York Mets
and Houston Astros
. His next MLB appearance would be in 2002 with the Kansas City Royals
.
Shouse finally broke into the Majors to stay with the Texas Rangers
, where he played from 2003-2006. During that time, he was effective as a reliever
, earning 34 holds
in 3+ years. As he began his fourth year with the Rangers, Shouse was traded in May to the Brewers for minor league prospect Enrique Cruz
.
From 2006 through 2008, Shouse was a reliable member of the Milwaukee Brewers
bullpen. He was usually used as a left-handed specialist
along with his teammate Mitch Stetter
. On February 10, 2009, Shouse signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays
with an option for 2010. On November 18, 2009 Shouse's option was declined by the Tampa Bay Rays. On January 13, 2010, Shouse agreed to a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox
. He was released on March 26. On July 5, 2010, Shouse agreed to a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays
.
Shouse retired on December 1, 2010.
Shouse used the Tears for Fears
song "Shout" as his entrance music.
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...
Major League Baseball
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...
. Starting in 2001, Shouse pitched with a distinctive sidearm delivery, which replaced his earlier, more traditional, overhand delivery.
Career
Shouse played college baseball at Bradley UniversityBradley University
Bradley University, founded in 1897, is a private, co-educational university located in Peoria, Illinois. It is a small institution with an enrollment of approximately 6,100 undergraduate and postgraduate students and a full-time faculty of approximately 350....
in Peoria, Illinois
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
from 1987 until 1990, when he signed with the Pirates after being drafted in the 13th round of the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft
1990 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1990 Major League Baseball draft.-Background:The draft went a record 101 rounds, surpassing 1989's total of 88, and included a record 1,487 selections. The Astros led all clubs with 100 selections. Seattle was second with 75,...
. He is in the Bradley Braves
Bradley Braves
The Bradley Braves are the intercollegiate athletics teams of Bradley University, located in Peoria, Illinois.Bradley is best known for its college basketball success. Bradley has been to eight NCAA tournaments, including two national championship games, three Elite 8's, and four Sweet 16's...
Hall of Fame.
Shouse made his Major League debut in 1993, appearing in 6 games that season for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. He would then spend several years in the minor leagues of the Pirates and Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
organizations and would not appear in the major leagues again until 1998, with the 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"...
. Again, Shouse would experience a long drought from the major leagues after 1998 bouncing around the minor league organizations of the 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...
, Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
and Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. His next MLB appearance would be in 2002 with the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
.
Shouse finally broke into the Majors to stay with the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, where he played from 2003-2006. During that time, he was effective as a reliever
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...
, earning 34 holds
Hold (baseball)
A hold is awarded to a relief pitcher who meets the following three conditions:Unlike saves, wins, and losses, more than one pitcher per team can earn a hold for a game, though it is not possible for a pitcher to receive more than one hold in a given game...
in 3+ years. As he began his fourth year with the Rangers, Shouse was traded in May to the Brewers for minor league prospect Enrique Cruz
Enrique Cruz
Enrique Manuel Cruz is Dominican baseball player currently playing for the Edmonton Capitals of the Golden Baseball League. He has spent two seasons at the major league level, playing for the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Mets in...
.
From 2006 through 2008, Shouse was a reliable member of the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
bullpen. He was usually 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...
along with his teammate Mitch Stetter
Mitch Stetter
Mitchel Blake Stetter is an American professional baseball pitcher.-College:Stetter attended Indiana State University where he was a pitcher. He was then drafted in the 16th round by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft...
. On February 10, 2009, Shouse signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
with an option for 2010. On November 18, 2009 Shouse's option was declined by the Tampa Bay Rays. On January 13, 2010, Shouse agreed to a minor league deal with the 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"...
. He was released on March 26. On July 5, 2010, Shouse agreed to a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
.
Shouse retired on December 1, 2010.
Shouse used the Tears for Fears
Tears for Fears
Tears for Fears are an English new wave band formed in the early 1980s by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith.Founded after the dissolution of their first band, the mod-influenced Graduate, they were initially associated with the New Wave synthesiser bands of the early 1980s but later branched out into...
song "Shout" as his entrance music.