Eric Plunk
Encyclopedia
Eric Vaughn Plunk is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1986-1999.
Plunk was involved in two trades for Rickey Henderson
. On December 5, 1984, as a minor leaguer, he was traded by the New York Yankees with Tim Birtsas
, Jay Howell
, Stan Javier
, and José Rijo
to the Oakland Athletics for Rickey Henderson
, Bert Bradley
, and cash. On June 21, 1989, he was traded by the Oakland Athletics with Greg Cadaret
and Luis Polonia
to the New York Yankees for Rickey Henderson. Plunk was part of the pennant-winning 1988 Athletics.
Known for his bookish looks and thick glasses, Plunk threw a mid-to-upper 90s fastball and emerged with the Indians as a reliable set-up man in one of the American League's best bullpens.
Plunk's career took him to the Cleveland Indians as a free agent signing in the winter of 1992. There, he was the winning pitcher in the first ever game played at Jacobs Field
on April 4, 1994. Plunk became one of the most reliable set-up men in baseball, posting a sub-3.00 earned run average in four consecutive seasons from 1993 to 1996. On September 17, 1996, Plunk pitched the final three innings and got the save in the Indians' 9-4 win over the White Sox that clinched the Tribe's second consecutive Central Division title.
Plunk's regular season success never translated over to the postseason. In 15 playoff appearances with the Athletics and Indians, Plunk had a 7.53 ERA and walked 10 batters in 14 innings of work. He was the losing pitcher for Game 3 of the 1997 World Series
, his final postseason appearance.
Days before the trade deadline during the 1998 season, the Indians traded Plunk to the Milwaukee Brewers
for Doug Jones
. Plunk pitched one more season in the major leagues for the Brewers in 1999.
Plunk was involved in two trades for Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...
. On December 5, 1984, as a minor leaguer, he was traded by the New York Yankees with Tim Birtsas
Tim Birtsas
Timothy Dean Birtsas , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1985–1986 and from 1988–1990...
, Jay Howell
Jay Howell
Jay Canfield Howell is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds , Chicago Cubs , New York Yankees , Oakland Athletics , Los Angeles Dodgers , Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers .Howell was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers when they won the 1988 World Series...
, Stan Javier
Stan Javier
Stanley Julián Antonio Javier [hah-ve-ERR] is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and switch-hitter who played with the New York Yankees , Oakland Athletics , Los Angeles Dodgers , Philadelphia Phillies , California Angels , San Francisco Giants , Houston...
, and José Rijo
José Rijo
José Antonio Rijo Abreu is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who spent the majority of his career with the Cincinnati Reds .-Playing career:...
to the Oakland Athletics for Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...
, Bert Bradley
Bert Bradley
Steven Bert Bradley is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Oakland Athletics during the season.-References:...
, and cash. On June 21, 1989, he was traded by the Oakland Athletics with Greg Cadaret
Greg Cadaret
Gregory James Cadaret is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues primarily in relief from - and -....
and Luis Polonia
Luis Polonia
Luis Andrew Polonia Almonte was a Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter....
to the New York Yankees for Rickey Henderson. Plunk was part of the pennant-winning 1988 Athletics.
Known for his bookish looks and thick glasses, Plunk threw a mid-to-upper 90s fastball and emerged with the Indians as a reliable set-up man in one of the American League's best bullpens.
Plunk's career took him to the Cleveland Indians as a free agent signing in the winter of 1992. There, he was the winning pitcher in the first ever game played at Jacobs Field
Jacobs Field
Progressive Field is a ballpark located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, and is the home of the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball and the American League. Along with Quicken Loans Arena, it is part of the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex...
on April 4, 1994. Plunk became one of the most reliable set-up men in baseball, posting a sub-3.00 earned run average in four consecutive seasons from 1993 to 1996. On September 17, 1996, Plunk pitched the final three innings and got the save in the Indians' 9-4 win over the White Sox that clinched the Tribe's second consecutive Central Division title.
Plunk's regular season success never translated over to the postseason. In 15 playoff appearances with the Athletics and Indians, Plunk had a 7.53 ERA and walked 10 batters in 14 innings of work. He was the losing pitcher for Game 3 of the 1997 World Series
1997 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 18, 1997 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, FloridaThe first World Series game in the state of Florida, Game 1 featured a youngster and a veteran facing each other on the mound...
, his final postseason appearance.
Days before the trade deadline during the 1998 season, the Indians traded Plunk to 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...
for Doug Jones
Doug Jones (baseball)
Douglas Reid Jones is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. During a 16-year career, he played for the Milwaukee Brewers , Cleveland Indians , Baltimore Orioles , and Oakland Athletics , all of the American League, and the Houston Astros , Philadelphia Phillies , and...
. Plunk pitched one more season in the major leagues for the Brewers in 1999.
External links
- http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/plunker01.shtml
- http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/P/Plunk_Eric.stm
- http://www.ericplunkbaseball.com/