Dave Von Ohlen
Encyclopedia
David Von Ohlen is a former professional baseball
pitcher
. Von Ohlen pitched in all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball
from 1983 through 1987. He appeared in 181 major league games, all in relief
.
out of Flushing High School
in the 17th round of the 1976 Major League Baseball Draft
. He spent six seasons in the Mets farm system without making it to the majors, and he was granted free agency
after the 1982 season.
, who finally gave him a major league trial. He pitched two seasons for St. Louis, appearing in 73 games with an ERA of 3.23. Despite this moderate success, he was released by the Cardinals and signed with the Cleveland Indians
. In 1985, Von Ohlen once again pitched reasonably well, putting up an ERA of 2.91 in 26 appearances, but was released after the season.
Von Ohlen started the 1986 season with the Miami Marlins
, an independent team in the Florida State League
. He was purchased from them in June by the Oakland Athletics
, where he pitched in 28 games between 1986 and 1987 before again being released. He returned to the Marlins to start the 1988 season before being re-signed by Oakland, finishing his professional career with the Tacoma Tigers in the A's organization.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
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...
. Von Ohlen pitched in all or part of five seasons in 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...
from 1983 through 1987. He appeared in 181 major league games, all in relief
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...
.
Early career
Von Ohlen's potential was shown early on, as he pitched a no-hitter for his Little League Baseball team in Queens, NY. He was selected by the New York MetsNew 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...
out of Flushing High School
Flushing High School
Flushing High School is a four-year public high school in Flushing, in the New York City borough of Queens. The school is operated by the New York City Department of Education....
in the 17th round of the 1976 Major League Baseball Draft
1976 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The 1976 Arizona State University team, considered by many to be the best collegiate team ever, played a major role in the draft. Floyd Bannister was picked number one...
. He spent six seasons in the Mets farm system without making it to the majors, and he was granted free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
after the 1982 season.
Major league career
He signed with the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, who finally gave him a major league trial. He pitched two seasons for St. Louis, appearing in 73 games with an ERA of 3.23. Despite this moderate success, he was released by the Cardinals and signed 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...
. In 1985, Von Ohlen once again pitched reasonably well, putting up an ERA of 2.91 in 26 appearances, but was released after the season.
Von Ohlen started the 1986 season with the Miami Marlins
Fort Myers Miracle
The Fort Myers Miracle is the Class A Advanced minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball club, currently managed by Jake Mauer. Home games are played at the Lee County Sports Complex in Hammond Stadium, which has a capacity of 7,500, and opened in...
, an independent team in the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
. He was purchased from them in June by the 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....
, where he pitched in 28 games between 1986 and 1987 before again being released. He returned to the Marlins to start the 1988 season before being re-signed by Oakland, finishing his professional career with the Tacoma Tigers in the A's organization.