Clay Parker
Encyclopedia
James Clayton Parker (born December 12, 1962 in Columbia, Louisiana) is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
who played for the Seattle Mariners
(1987 and 1992), the New York Yankees
(1989–1990) and the Detroit Tigers
(1990). Parker threw right-handed and was 6 foot 1 175 pounds.
Parker was drafted out of Louisiana State University
in the 15th round by the Mariners in the 1985 Amateur Draft. He made his major league debut with the Mariners on September 14, 1987 against the Cleveland Indians
, going 2.3 innings and striking out 5 while giving up 3 earned runs. On December 22, 1987, Parker was traded along with Lee Guetterman
and Wade Taylor
to the Yankees for Henry Cotto
and Steve Trout
. He had his most successful season in 1989 with the Yankees, going 4-5 with a 3.68 ERA. Parker was then traded again in 1990 with Lance McCullers
to the Detroit Tigers for catcher
Matt Nokes
. He was released by the Tigers June 15, 1991 and signed with the Mariners to finish off his career.
He finished his career with 7 wins, 2 complete games, 121 strike outs, 78 walks, and a 4.42 ERA
.
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...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who played for the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
(1987 and 1992), the 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...
(1989–1990) and the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
(1990). Parker threw right-handed and was 6 foot 1 175 pounds.
Parker was drafted out of Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
in the 15th round by the Mariners in the 1985 Amateur Draft. He made his major league debut with the Mariners on September 14, 1987 against 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...
, going 2.3 innings and striking out 5 while giving up 3 earned runs. On December 22, 1987, Parker was traded along with Lee Guetterman
Lee Guetterman
Arthur Lee Guetterman is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from to for the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals...
and Wade Taylor
Wade Taylor
Wade Eric Taylor is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played with the New York Yankees in ....
to the Yankees for Henry Cotto
Henry Cotto
Henry Cotto is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played all or part of ten seasons in Major League Baseball, from until . He also played one season in Japan for the Yomiuri Giants in , winning a world championship...
and Steve Trout
Steve Trout
Steven Russell Trout is a former major league baseball pitcher who played during the 1980s.He is the son of former major league pitcher Dizzy Trout. Teammates and friends often referred to him simply as "Sorenson" along with the fairly obvious nickname Rainbow Trout...
. He had his most successful season in 1989 with the Yankees, going 4-5 with a 3.68 ERA. Parker was then traded again in 1990 with Lance McCullers
Lance McCullers
Lance Graye McCullers is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of seven seasons in Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, and Texas Rangers. He was known as "Baby Goose" for his similarity to former big league pitcher Rich "Goose"...
to the Detroit Tigers for catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
Matt Nokes
Matt Nokes
Matthew Dodge Nokes is a retired American professional baseball catcher and designated hitter. He played eleven seasons in Major League Baseball for the San Francisco Giants , the Detroit Tigers , New York Yankees , the Baltimore Orioles, and the Colorado Rockies...
. He was released by the Tigers June 15, 1991 and signed with the Mariners to finish off his career.
He finished his career with 7 wins, 2 complete games, 121 strike outs, 78 walks, and a 4.42 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...
.