Denny Neagle
Encyclopedia
Dennis Edward Neagle Jr. (icon; born September 13, 1968 in Gambrills, Maryland
) is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
. He was last under contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays during the season, but he did not play due to injury. During the 1990s, he was one of the top pitchers in baseball, but his career, and personal life, deteriorated in the early 2000s.
and played on the baseball team.
. He saw some action in the summer of for the Twins, but was not on their postseason roster when the club won the 1991 World Series
.
during spring training
in , and became a full-time starter
for the Pirates in . The following season, Neagle posted a 13-8 record with a 3.43 ERA
and became the ace of a mediocre Pittsburgh staff. That year, Neagle represented the Pirates at the All-Star Game
. He got off to an impressive 14–6 start in . On August 27, 1996, he pitched eight innings giving up only two runs
to the first place Atlanta Braves
. The next day, the Braves traded a young Jason Schmidt
to Pittsburgh for Neagle in the midst of their playoff run.
, earning a no-decision.
Remaining with the Braves in , Neagle had his best season, going 20–5 with a 2.97 ERA. He earned another All-Star
selection and finished third in Cy Young Award
voting. In the 1997 National League Championship Series
, Neagle pitched a complete-game shutout
.
Neagle's 16-11 record and 3.55 ERA in were still solid numbers, but the emergence of Kevin Millwood
made him expendable and he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
after the season.
traded prospects Drew Henson
, Jackson Melián
and Ed Yarnall
to acquire Neagle on July 12, 2000. He only registered a 7-7 record over the rest of the season with the Yankees, and his playoff performance was shaky, but his team triumphed in the 2000 World Series
and Neagle earned a championship ring.
signed Neagle and fellow left-hander Mike Hampton
to expensive contracts. Neagle's contract was for five years and $
51 million, and his 17-19 record and 5.31 ERA over the and seasons spelled disaster for the Rockies. Due to injuries, Neagle only started seven games in . He went 2–4 with a 7.90 ERA, pitching what was to be his last Major League game on July 20, 2003.
Neagle missed the season due to ligament and elbow surgeries. Then, in late November 2004, a Denver policeman ticketed him for soliciting a woman for oral sex. Less than a week later, the Rockies canceled the final year of his lucrative contract, citing a morals clause in his contract. The incident ultimately led to the end of Neagle's marriage.
He signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays before the 2005 season, but did not play due to injury.
On January 24, 2006, Neagle pleaded guilty in Jefferson County, Colorado
, on one charge of patronizing a prostitute. Although the sentence can carry a maximum of a $500 fine and up to six months in prison, Neagle was only sentenced to 40 hours of community service.
On August 27, 2007, Neagle was arrested for and later pleaded guilty to driving under the influence.
On December 13, 2007, Neagle was mentioned in the Mitchell Report
in connection with steroids.
Gambrills, Maryland
Gambrills is an unincorporated town in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, in the Baltimore metro area.The community was named for Augustine Gambrill, plantation owner.-Population:...
) is a former 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...
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...
. He was last under contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays during the season, but he did not play due to injury. During the 1990s, he was one of the top pitchers in baseball, but his career, and personal life, deteriorated in the early 2000s.
Arundel Senior High School
Neagle attended Arundel Senior High School and played on the baseball team.University of Minnesota
Neagle attended the University of MinnesotaUniversity of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
and played on the baseball team.
Minnesota Twins
Neagle was drafted in the 3rd round of the amateur draft by the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. He saw some action in the summer of for the Twins, but was not on their postseason roster when the club won the 1991 World Series
1991 World Series
The 1991 World Series pitted the Minnesota Twins of the American League against the Atlanta Braves of the National League. The series was played from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, October 27....
.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Neagle was dealt to the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh 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...
during spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in , and became a full-time starter
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
for the Pirates in . The following season, Neagle posted a 13-8 record with a 3.43 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 became the ace of a mediocre Pittsburgh staff. That year, Neagle represented the Pirates at the All-Star Game
1995 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1995 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 66th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 11, 1995 at The Ballpark in Arlington in Arlington, Texas, the...
. He got off to an impressive 14–6 start in . On August 27, 1996, he pitched eight innings giving up only two runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
to the first place 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....
. The next day, the Braves traded a young Jason Schmidt
Jason Schmidt
Jason David Schmidt , is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher.Schmidt was born in Lewiston, Idaho. In his career he has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , San Francisco Giants , Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves , by whom he had been drafted in the eighth round, 206th overall, of...
to Pittsburgh for Neagle in the midst of their playoff run.
Atlanta Braves
Neagle was given the opportunity to start in Game 4 of the 1996 World Series1996 World Series
-Game 1:Sunday, October 20, 1996 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkGame 1 and Game 2 were originally scheduled for Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20, respectively. Rain on October 19, however, washed out Game 1. The schedule was moved up one day, with Game 1 and Game 2 rescheduled for...
, earning a no-decision.
Remaining with the Braves in , Neagle had his best season, going 20–5 with a 2.97 ERA. He earned another All-Star
1997 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1997 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 68th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 8, 1997 at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio, the home of the...
selection and finished third in Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
voting. In the 1997 National League Championship Series
1997 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 7, 1997 at Turner Field in Atlanta, GeorgiaThe Marlins scored three unearned runs in the first inning off Greg Maddux, thanks to a Fred McGriff error, when Moisés Alou hit a bases-clearing double to left...
, Neagle pitched a complete-game shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
.
Neagle's 16-11 record and 3.55 ERA in were still solid numbers, but the emergence of Kevin Millwood
Kevin Millwood
Kevin Austin Millwood is an American professional baseball pitcher. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles and Colorado Rockies.-Personal life:Millwood graduated from Bessemer City High School in North Carolina...
made him expendable and he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
after the season.
Cincinnati Reds
Injuries limited Neagle to 19 starts in , but he stormed out to an 8–2 record in .New York Yankees
The playoff-bound New York YankeesNew 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...
traded prospects Drew Henson
Drew Henson
Drew Daniel Henson is a retired Major League Baseball third baseman and National Football League quarterback. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan....
, Jackson Melián
Jackson Melián
Jackson Melián is a former minor league baseball outfielder who reached Triple-A.-Career:Melián, represented by Scott Boras, was signed as an international free agent by the New York Yankees in 1996, receiving a $1.6 million bonus.Melián was considered a top prospect...
and Ed Yarnall
Ed Yarnall
Harvey Edward Yarnall is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.Yarnall was drafted by the New York Mets in the third round of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft. In 1998, he was traded with Geoff Goetz and Preston Wilson to the Florida Marlins for Mike Piazza...
to acquire Neagle on July 12, 2000. He only registered a 7-7 record over the rest of the season with the Yankees, and his playoff performance was shaky, but his team triumphed in the 2000 World Series
2000 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 21, 2000 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkThe opener fell on two anniversaries. Twenty-five years prior, Boston Red Sox's catcher Carlton Fisk ended Game 6 of the 1975 World Series with his famous home run off the left field foul pole in Fenway Park in Boston to beat...
and Neagle earned a championship ring.
Colorado Rockies, Tampa Bay Devil Rays and legal troubles
In December 2000, the Colorado RockiesColorado 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...
signed Neagle and fellow left-hander Mike Hampton
Mike Hampton
Michael William Hampton is a left-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher. During his career, Hampton was well known for being one of the best hitting pitchers of his time, as well as for his large contract and frequent injuries.-Early career:Mike Hampton was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in...
to expensive contracts. Neagle's contract was for five years and $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
51 million, and his 17-19 record and 5.31 ERA over the and seasons spelled disaster for the Rockies. Due to injuries, Neagle only started seven games in . He went 2–4 with a 7.90 ERA, pitching what was to be his last Major League game on July 20, 2003.
Neagle missed the season due to ligament and elbow surgeries. Then, in late November 2004, a Denver policeman ticketed him for soliciting a woman for oral sex. Less than a week later, the Rockies canceled the final year of his lucrative contract, citing a morals clause in his contract. The incident ultimately led to the end of Neagle's marriage.
He signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays before the 2005 season, but did not play due to injury.
On January 24, 2006, Neagle pleaded guilty in Jefferson County, Colorado
Jefferson County, Colorado
Jefferson County , whose slogan is the "Gateway to the Rocky Mountains", is the fourth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. Located along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Jefferson County is adjacent to the west side of the state capital, Denver....
, on one charge of patronizing a prostitute. Although the sentence can carry a maximum of a $500 fine and up to six months in prison, Neagle was only sentenced to 40 hours of community service.
On August 27, 2007, Neagle was arrested for and later pleaded guilty to driving under the influence.
On December 13, 2007, Neagle was mentioned in the Mitchell Report
Mitchell Report (baseball)
The Report to the Commissioner of Baseball of an Independent Investigation into the Illegal Use of Steroids and Other Performance Enhancing Substances by Players in Major League Baseball, informally known as the "Mitchell Report", is the result of former Democratic United States Senator from Maine...
in connection with steroids.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball wins champions
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins