Jason Isringhausen
Encyclopedia
Jason Derik Isringhausen (born September 7, 1972) is a Major League Baseball
relief pitcher.
in the 44th round of the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft
. He signed in May 1992.
In the mid-1990s, Isringhausen, along with pitchers Bill Pulsipher
and Paul Wilson
were all widely hyped as the next generation of New York Mets
' superstars, despite all being in the minor leagues. The group received considerable press attention and the nickname "Generation K
". However, injuries took their toll and was the first year that all three started the season healthy.
Isringhausen began his career as a starter for the Mets near the end of the season, posting a 9-2 record in 14 starts. But a steady progression of serious injuries, including tuberculosis
, a broken wrist (sustained while punching a dugout trash can) and three major operations on his pitching arm, derailed his progression into a major-league rotation. Consequently, he was forced to miss most of the season, as well as the entire season. When he was finally healthy in , he was moved to the bullpen after only five starts. After inconsistent play with the Mets, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics
at the trading deadline for reliever Billy Taylor. Mets manager Bobby Valentine
was reluctant to use Isringhausen in relief, saying that it would be akin to "[using] an Indy car as a taxi."
for the Athletics, Isringhausen's performance improved. Isringhausen established himself as a top closer with Oakland, as the A's made the playoffs in and .
before the season. During Isringhausen's time with the team, the Cardinals won the Central Division in 2002, , , and with World Series
appearances in 2004 and 2006, winning the World Series in 2006
. He had a league-leading 47 saves in 2004 and had a second-best 2.14 ERA
in 2005.
Despite this success, Isringhausen's 2006 season began with two losses and a blown save in his first five appearances. He struggled with control problems throughout the season, leading to 38 walks
(the most given up by Isringhausen in a season since he became a closer) and a 3.55 ERA, which was his highest ERA as a closer since the 2000 season, in which his ERA was 3.78. Isringhausen finished the season with a 4-8 record and 33 saves along with 10 blown saves. He missed the entire 2006 playoffs due to a hip injury, allowing rookie Adam Wainwright
to become the Cardinals' closer for the playoffs and that team's World Series
Championship.
During the 2006 off-season, Isringhausen underwent his second hip surgery in two years. With Wainwright slotted into the rotation, Isringhausen was returned to the closer role to begin . Isringhausen responded by notching career numbers in 2007, posting a 4-0 record, 2.48 ERA, and 32 saves while walking only 28, striking out
54, and giving up only 4 home run
s in 63.1 innings pitched, appearing in 63 games. Batters hit
.179 against him.
On September 25, 2007, Isringhausen was named as one of 10 finalists for the "DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Year Award"; and on October 5, 2007 it was announced the St. Louis Cardinals
had picked up Isringhausen's option for the season.
On May 10, 2008, manager Tony La Russa
removed Isringhausen as the club's closer. On July 29, 2008, Tony La Russa
announced that Jason had been placed as the closer again.
On August 19, 2008, Isringhausen left the team due to lingering elbow tendinitis and a torn tendon
.
with an invitation to spring training. On April 1, 2009, Isringhausen was added to the 40-man roster of the Rays, and began the season on the disabled list
. Once activated, Jason pitched in nine games before it was announced on June 13 that he tore a ligament in the surgically repaired right elbow and would miss the rest of the season to undergo Tommy John surgery
.
. He impressed both pitching coach Bryan Price and former Cardinals and current Reds General Manager
Walt Jocketty
enough that the Reds prepared a contract offer for Isringhausen.
On July 22, 2010, Isringhausen agreed to terms with a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds
.
. He was called in with 1 out in the bottom of the eight and retired both batters he faced. He was being used as the 8th inning setup pitcher for the Mets until previous closer Francisco Rodriguez was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers
. Isringhausen was then moved to the closer's role. On July 19th, 2011, he picked up his first save since 2008. On August 15th, 2011, Isringhausen got his 300th save against the San Diego Padres in a 5-4 Mets win, and became the 23rd pitcher all time with 300 career saves.
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...
relief pitcher.
New York Mets
Isringhausen was chosen as a draft-and-follow prospect 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...
in the 44th round of the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft
1991 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1991 Major League Baseball draft.-Supplemental First Round Selections:-Other notable players:...
. He signed in May 1992.
In the mid-1990s, Isringhausen, along with pitchers Bill Pulsipher
Bill Pulsipher
William Thomas Pulsipher is a professional baseball pitcher. Pulsipher, a left-handed pitcher, has played in Major League Baseball for the New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, and St. Louis Cardinals over six seasons from to . He currently plays for the Somerset...
and Paul Wilson
Paul Wilson (baseball player)
Paul Anthony Wilson is a retired right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball.-Baseball career:Wilson played college baseball for the Florida State University Seminoles under head coach Mike Martin....
were all widely hyped as the next generation of New York Mets
New 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...
' superstars, despite all being in the minor leagues. The group received considerable press attention and the nickname "Generation K
Generation K
Generation K was the collective nickname given to a trio of young starting pitchers in the New York Mets organization in 1995, consisting of Bill Pulsipher, Jason Isringhausen, and Paul Wilson. Generation X was a hot topic in American media during the mid 1990s and the nickname came from the use of...
". However, injuries took their toll and was the first year that all three started the season healthy.
Isringhausen began his career as a starter for the Mets near the end of the season, posting a 9-2 record in 14 starts. But a steady progression of serious injuries, including tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
, a broken wrist (sustained while punching a dugout trash can) and three major operations on his pitching arm, derailed his progression into a major-league rotation. Consequently, he was forced to miss most of the season, as well as the entire season. When he was finally healthy in , he was moved to the bullpen after only five starts. After inconsistent play with the Mets, he was traded to 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....
at the trading deadline for reliever Billy Taylor. Mets manager Bobby Valentine
Bobby Valentine
Robert John "Bobby V" Valentine is an American professional baseball manager and former player who is currently the manager of the Boston Red Sox. He previously managed the Texas Rangers and New York Mets as well as the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan...
was reluctant to use Isringhausen in relief, saying that it would be akin to "[using] an Indy car as a taxi."
Oakland Athletics
As a relief pitcher and closerCloser (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
for the Athletics, Isringhausen's performance improved. Isringhausen established himself as a top closer with Oakland, as the A's made the playoffs in and .
St. Louis Cardinals
Isringhausen signed with the Cardinals as a free agentFree 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....
before the season. During Isringhausen's time with the team, the Cardinals won the Central Division in 2002, , , and with World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
appearances in 2004 and 2006, winning the World Series in 2006
2006 World Series
The 2006 World Series, the 102nd edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, began on October 21 and ended on October 27, and matched the American League champion Detroit Tigers against the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals won the Series in five games, taking...
. He had a league-leading 47 saves in 2004 and had a second-best 2.14 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...
in 2005.
Despite this success, Isringhausen's 2006 season began with two losses and a blown save in his first five appearances. He struggled with control problems throughout the season, leading to 38 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
(the most given up by Isringhausen in a season since he became a closer) and a 3.55 ERA, which was his highest ERA as a closer since the 2000 season, in which his ERA was 3.78. Isringhausen finished the season with a 4-8 record and 33 saves along with 10 blown saves. He missed the entire 2006 playoffs due to a hip injury, allowing rookie Adam Wainwright
Adam Wainwright
Adam Parrish Wainwright is a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was drafted 29th overall by the Atlanta Braves in the 2000 amateur draft. He made his major league debut for the St...
to become the Cardinals' closer for the playoffs and that team's World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
Championship.
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
54, and giving up only 4 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s in 63.1 innings pitched, appearing in 63 games. Batters hit
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.179 against him.
On September 25, 2007, Isringhausen was named as one of 10 finalists for the "DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Year Award"; and on October 5, 2007 it was announced the St. Louis Cardinals
St. 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...
had picked up Isringhausen's option for the season.
On May 10, 2008, manager Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
removed Isringhausen as the club's closer. On July 29, 2008, Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
announced that Jason had been placed as the closer again.
On August 19, 2008, Isringhausen left the team due to lingering elbow tendinitis and a torn tendon
Tendon
A tendon is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that usually connects muscle to bone and is capable of withstanding tension. Tendons are similar to ligaments and fasciae as they are all made of collagen except that ligaments join one bone to another bone, and fasciae connect muscles to other...
.
Tampa Bay Rays
On February 20, 2009, Isringhausen signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay RaysTampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
with an invitation to spring training. On April 1, 2009, Isringhausen was added to the 40-man roster of the Rays, and began the season on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
. Once activated, Jason pitched in nine games before it was announced on June 13 that he tore a ligament in the surgically repaired right elbow and would miss the rest of the season to undergo Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
.
Cincinnati Reds
On July 20, 2010, Isringhausen pitched a bullpen session for the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati 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....
. He impressed both pitching coach Bryan Price and former Cardinals and current Reds General Manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
Walt Jocketty
Walt Jocketty
Walt Jocketty is the General Manager of the Cincinnati Reds. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he attended the University of Minnesota where he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration. He was previously the General Manager of the St...
enough that the Reds prepared a contract offer for Isringhausen.
On July 22, 2010, Isringhausen agreed to terms with a minor league contract with 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....
.
Return to the Mets
Isringhausen signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training for the 2011 season. He began the season in extended spring training, but was promoted to the Mets on April 10. He had a good outing in his first game, against 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...
. He was called in with 1 out in the bottom of the eight and retired both batters he faced. He was being used as the 8th inning setup pitcher for the Mets until previous closer Francisco Rodriguez was traded 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...
. Isringhausen was then moved to the closer's role. On July 19th, 2011, he picked up his first save since 2008. On August 15th, 2011, Isringhausen got his 300th save against the San Diego Padres in a 5-4 Mets win, and became the 23rd pitcher all time with 300 career saves.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball saves champions
- Major League Baseball pitchers who have struck out three batters on nine pitches
- 300 saves club