Joe Kraemer
Encyclopedia
Joseph Wayne Kraemer is a former professional baseball
pitcher
. He played professionally from 1985 to 1994 and in Major League Baseball
in 1989 and 1990.
in the second round of the 1983 amateur entry draft
. He did not sign. He was then drafted by the Seattle Mariners
in the sixth round of the 1984 amateur entry draft
. Again, he did not sign. The third and final time he was drafted was in 1985, by the Chicago Cubs
in the 16th round of the amateur entry draft.
. In 22 games, he went 4-2 with a 3.35 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings of work. His control was suspect, as he walked 36 batters, or about seven per nine innings.
In 1986 with the Peoria Chiefs
, he was perhaps the team's best relief pitcher. He made 45 relief appearances, posting a 6-3 record with a 1.09 ERA, 14 saves and 78 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings of work. He also showed improved control, as he walked only 19 batters, or about three per nine innings. His 1.09 ERA and 14 saves led the team.
1987 wasn't nearly as good a season for Kraemer. He appeared in 41 games for the Winston-Salem Spirits, going 3-2 with a 2.73 ERA, 13 saves and 43 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings of work. He also appeared in five games with the Iowa Cubs
, posting a 1-0 record with two strikeouts and a 27.00 ERA in 2 2/3 innings of work. Overall that season, he went 4-2 with a 3.90 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings of work. His walk total again increased to a total of 46 overall.
In 1988, Kraemer started more than a few games in a season for the first time in his career. Pitching for the Pittsfield Cubs
, Kraemer made 15 starts, going 5-5 with a 2.75 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 95 innings of work. He then pitched for the Iowa Cubs again, being used almost entirely as a reliever (he made only one start). In 20 games with them, he went 3-3 with a 4.50 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 26 innings of work. In total, Kraemer went 8-8 with a 3.12 ERA in 1988. He made 35 appearances, 16 of which were starts. In 121 innings, he struck out 73 batters and walked 60.
Save for one game with the big league club in 1989, Kraemer's entire season was spent with the Iowa Cubs. He started 27 games, going 8-10 with a 3.47 ERA in 181 2/3 innings with them. He walked 50 batters and struck out 113. He completed seven games as well.
Kraemer made his big league debut on August 22, 1989 at the age of 24 versus the Cincinnati Reds
. The first batter he faced was Dave Collins
, who lined out. The rest of the game didn't go so smoothly for him - in fact, he gave up six runs in just 3 2/3 innings of work. Because of shaky defense behind him however, only two of those runs were earned. Nevertheless, he got the loss and posted a 4.91 ERA in his rookie season.
The following year, Kraemer spent time in the majors and minors again. He started out with the big league club, but by June 26 he was in the minors again. While in the majors in 1990, Kraemer went 0-0 with a 7.20 ERA in 18 relief appearances. After being sent down to the Iowa Cubs, he was used entirely as a starter, making 20 appearances and going 7-6 with a 3.76 ERA. He played his final big league game on June 25, 1990.
He spent all of 1991 with the Iowa Cubs. He went 8-7 with a 4.60 ERA in 20 appearances, 19 of which were starts.
Overall, Kraemer went 0-1 with a 6.91 ERA in 28 2/3 big league innings. In 19 games, he walked 16 batters, struck out 21 and threw two wild pitches.
organization for the 1992 season. He pitched for both the Midland Angels and Edmonton Trappers
, going a combined 3-3 with a 4.61 ERA in 46 appearances, seven of which were starts. In 80 innings, he struck out 60 batters and walked 38.
As an affiliated minor leaguer, he went 48-41 with a 3.57 ERA. In 791 1/3 innings, he walked 337 batters and struck out 582.
of the Northern League in 1993-94.
. He lives with his wife Robin, and his two kids Olivia and William.
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...
. He played professionally from 1985 to 1994 and 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...
in 1989 and 1990.
Professional career
Kraemer was drafted three times. First, 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 second round of the 1983 amateur entry draft
1983 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1983 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Other notable players :*Kevin Ward, 6th round...
. He did not sign. He was then drafted by the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
in the sixth round of the 1984 amateur entry draft
1984 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1984 Major League Baseball draft.- Other notable players :*Future Canadian Football League quarterback Damon Allen, was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the seventh round, 182nd overall....
. Again, he did not sign. The third and final time he was drafted was in 1985, by the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in the 16th round of the amateur entry draft.
Chicago Cubs
He began his professional career in 1985 with the Wytheville CubsWytheville Cubs
The Wytheville Cubs, located in Wytheville, Virginia, were a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Chicago Cubs that played from 1985 to 1989. They played in the Appalachian League and had four different managers in their five years of existence...
. In 22 games, he went 4-2 with a 3.35 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings of work. His control was suspect, as he walked 36 batters, or about seven per nine innings.
In 1986 with the Peoria Chiefs
Peoria Chiefs
The Peoria Chiefs are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, from Peoria, Illinois. They play in the Midwest League....
, he was perhaps the team's best relief pitcher. He made 45 relief appearances, posting a 6-3 record with a 1.09 ERA, 14 saves and 78 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings of work. He also showed improved control, as he walked only 19 batters, or about three per nine innings. His 1.09 ERA and 14 saves led the team.
1987 wasn't nearly as good a season for Kraemer. He appeared in 41 games for the Winston-Salem Spirits, going 3-2 with a 2.73 ERA, 13 saves and 43 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings of work. He also appeared in five games with the Iowa Cubs
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, that plays in the Pacific Coast League. Their home games are played in Des Moines, Iowa, at Principal Park.-Franchise history:...
, posting a 1-0 record with two strikeouts and a 27.00 ERA in 2 2/3 innings of work. Overall that season, he went 4-2 with a 3.90 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings of work. His walk total again increased to a total of 46 overall.
In 1988, Kraemer started more than a few games in a season for the first time in his career. Pitching for the Pittsfield Cubs
Pittsfield Cubs
The Pittsfield Cubs, located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, were a minor league baseball team that played in the Eastern League from 1985 to 1988...
, Kraemer made 15 starts, going 5-5 with a 2.75 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 95 innings of work. He then pitched for the Iowa Cubs again, being used almost entirely as a reliever (he made only one start). In 20 games with them, he went 3-3 with a 4.50 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 26 innings of work. In total, Kraemer went 8-8 with a 3.12 ERA in 1988. He made 35 appearances, 16 of which were starts. In 121 innings, he struck out 73 batters and walked 60.
Save for one game with the big league club in 1989, Kraemer's entire season was spent with the Iowa Cubs. He started 27 games, going 8-10 with a 3.47 ERA in 181 2/3 innings with them. He walked 50 batters and struck out 113. He completed seven games as well.
Kraemer made his big league debut on August 22, 1989 at the age of 24 versus 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....
. The first batter he faced was Dave Collins
Dave Collins
David S. Collins is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball from to .Collins is one of three players to have made it to the major leagues who played for the storied Rapid City Post 22 American Legion baseball program in Rapid City, SD...
, who lined out. The rest of the game didn't go so smoothly for him - in fact, he gave up six runs in just 3 2/3 innings of work. Because of shaky defense behind him however, only two of those runs were earned. Nevertheless, he got the loss and posted a 4.91 ERA in his rookie season.
The following year, Kraemer spent time in the majors and minors again. He started out with the big league club, but by June 26 he was in the minors again. While in the majors in 1990, Kraemer went 0-0 with a 7.20 ERA in 18 relief appearances. After being sent down to the Iowa Cubs, he was used entirely as a starter, making 20 appearances and going 7-6 with a 3.76 ERA. He played his final big league game on June 25, 1990.
He spent all of 1991 with the Iowa Cubs. He went 8-7 with a 4.60 ERA in 20 appearances, 19 of which were starts.
Overall, Kraemer went 0-1 with a 6.91 ERA in 28 2/3 big league innings. In 19 games, he walked 16 batters, struck out 21 and threw two wild pitches.
California Angels
After the 1991 season, he became a minor league free agent. He wound up in the California AngelsLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
organization for the 1992 season. He pitched for both the Midland Angels and Edmonton Trappers
Edmonton Trappers
The Edmonton Trappers were a minor league baseball team in the Pacific Coast League, ending with the 2004 season. Home games were played at Telus Field in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada....
, going a combined 3-3 with a 4.61 ERA in 46 appearances, seven of which were starts. In 80 innings, he struck out 60 batters and walked 38.
As an affiliated minor leaguer, he went 48-41 with a 3.57 ERA. In 791 1/3 innings, he walked 337 batters and struck out 582.
Independent leagues
Following his career as an affiliated baseball player, he played with the Sioux City ExplorersSioux City Explorers
The Sioux City Explorers are a professional baseball team based in Sioux City, Iowa, in the United States. The Explorers are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball.They were originally to be...
of the Northern League in 1993-94.
Personal life
Today, Joe lives in the small town of La Center, WashingtonLa Center, Washington
La Center is a town in Clark County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,800 at the 2010 census. The city is home to four card rooms / casinos which allow gambling on card games and poker, but not slots...
. He lives with his wife Robin, and his two kids Olivia and William.