Don August
Encyclopedia
Donald Glenn August (born July 3, 1963 in Inglewood, California
), moved to Mission Viejo, California
and graduated from Capistrano Valley Highschool is an American
former Major League Baseball
pitcher who played for the Milwaukee Brewers
from to . Through his paternal grandmother, he is a first cousin twice removed of Archbishop of Philadelphia Justin Francis Rigali. He is currently a teacher at the Menomonee Falls High School
in Wisconsin.
, where he was a Division II All-American. After competing for the United States
at the 1984 Summer Olympics
in Los Angeles
, he was drafted 17th overall by the Houston Astros
. He spent a year in the Astros' minor league system before being traded along with fellow pitcher Mark Knudson
to the Brewers on August 15, 1986 in exchange for reliever Danny Darwin
.
) of the Pacific Coast League
, August was called up to the Brewers. He continued his success at the Major League level, going 13-7 with a 3.09 ERA and ranking ninth in the American League
in winning percentage. He finished fourth in the voting for AL Rookie of the Year
; Oakland Athletics
shortstop Walt Weiss
won the award.
August suffered a case of the sophomore jinx in , slipping to 12-12 with a 5.31 ERA. He was even sent back down to Denver for some time, where he garnered a 1-1 record with a 4.94 ERA. A notable moment, however, came on June 5, when he was the winning pitcher
in the inaugural MLB game played at the SkyDome (now Rogers Centre
) in Toronto
, a 5-3 Brewers victory over the Toronto Blue Jays
.
In 1990, he pitched only five games, and had a record of 0–3. He started 23 games during the 1991 Milwaukee Brewers season
, and had a 9–8 record in his final season.
Inglewood, California
Inglewood is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, southwest of downtown Los Angeles. It was incorporated on February 14, 1908. Its population stood at 109,673 as of the 2010 Census...
), moved to Mission Viejo, California
Mission Viejo, California
Mission Viejo is a city located in southern Orange County, California, U.S. in the Saddleback Valley. Mission Viejo is considered one of the largest master-planned communities ever built under a single project in the United States, and is rivaled only by Highlands Ranch, Colorado, in its size...
and graduated from Capistrano Valley Highschool is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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 who played for 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...
from to . Through his paternal grandmother, he is a first cousin twice removed of Archbishop of Philadelphia Justin Francis Rigali. He is currently a teacher at the Menomonee Falls High School
Menomonee Falls High School
Menomonee Falls High School is a four-year public high school located in the village of Menomonee Falls in Waukesha County, Wisconsin in the United States. The school was constructed in 1969 when two high schools were needed to serve the growing population. In 2010, the freshman class was...
in Wisconsin.
Minor pro career
August attended Chapman UniversityChapman University
Chapman University is a private, non-profit university located in Orange, California affiliated with the Christian Church . Known for its blend of liberal arts and professional programs, Chapman University encompasses seven schools and colleges: Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media...
, where he was a Division II All-American. After competing for the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
at the 1984 Summer Olympics
1984 Summer Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, he was drafted 17th overall by the 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...
. He spent a year in the Astros' minor league system before being traded along with fellow pitcher Mark Knudson
Mark Knudson
Mark Richard Knudson is a former right-handed professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball, between 1985 and 1993, primarily for the Milwaukee Brewers.- Astros :...
to the Brewers on August 15, 1986 in exchange for reliever Danny Darwin
Danny Darwin
Daniel Wayne "Danny" Darwin , known as the "Bonham Bullet" and "Dr. Death," is a former pitcher of Major League Baseball. He amassed 171 wins and 182 losses over his career for 8 different Major League teams with a 3.84 earned run average...
.
Milwaukee Brewers
After beginning with a 4-1 record and a 3.52 ERA for the Denver Zephyrs (now the New Orleans ZephyrsNew Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
) of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
, August was called up to the Brewers. He continued his success at the Major League level, going 13-7 with a 3.09 ERA and ranking ninth in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
in winning percentage. He finished fourth in the voting for AL Rookie of the Year
MLB Rookie of the Year Award
In Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is annually given to one player from each league as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America . The award was established in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA, which selected an annual winner from 1940 through 1946...
; 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....
shortstop Walt Weiss
Walt Weiss
Walter William Weiss is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball.Weiss was a member of the National League All-Star Team...
won the award.
August suffered a case of the sophomore jinx in , slipping to 12-12 with a 5.31 ERA. He was even sent back down to Denver for some time, where he garnered a 1-1 record with a 4.94 ERA. A notable moment, however, came on June 5, when he was the winning pitcher
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
in the inaugural MLB game played at the SkyDome (now Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League...
) in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, a 5-3 Brewers victory over the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
.
In 1990, he pitched only five games, and had a record of 0–3. He started 23 games during the 1991 Milwaukee Brewers season
1991 Milwaukee Brewers season
The 1991 Milwaukee Brewers season involved the Brewers' finishing 4th in the American League East with a record of 83 wins and 79 losses.-Offseason:* March 14, 1991: Dave Parker was traded by the Brewers to the California Angels for Dante Bichette....
, and had a 9–8 record in his final season.