Jon Lieber
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Ray Lieber is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates
(-), Chicago Cubs
(- and ), New York Yankees
, Philadelphia Phillies
(-). He batted left-handed
and threw right-handed. He was drafted out of the University of South Alabama
.
In a 14-season career, Lieber compiled a 131-124 record with 1,553 strikeout
s and a 4.27 ERA
in 2198.0 innings pitched
.
Liebers most productive season came in , when he posted a career-high 20 victories, was selected an All-Star
, and finished 4th in the Cy Young Award
vote. In the same year, he one-hit the Cincinnati Reds
, 3-0, ending the team's NL-record streak of 208 games in a row without being shut out. He missed the entire season after undergoing Tommy John surgery
in 2002. Lieber signed a two-year contract with the Yankees following the 2002 season. After recovering from the surgery, Lieber rewarded the Yankees' investment in 2004 by winning 14 games (tied for the team lead) and becoming the team's most consistent pitcher down the stretch.
Before the 2005 season, Lieber signed as a free agent
with the Phillies. In 2005, Lieber led the team with 17 wins. His tenure with the Phillies ended early in the 2007 season after an ankle injury required season-ending surgery.
On January 16, , Lieber signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs.
According to his agent Rex Gary he retired after the 2008 season.
Lieber married Jessica Conway on September 18, 1992; the couple has one daughter, Jillian (born 10-22-1997) and three sons, Jared (born 7-27-2000) Justin (5-8-2003) and Jonah (6-1-2007).
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 played for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh 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...
(-), 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...
(- and ), New York Yankees
New 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...
, Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(-). He batted left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
and threw right-handed. He was drafted out of the University of South Alabama
University of South Alabama
The University of South Alabama is a public, doctoral-level university in Mobile, Alabama, USA. It was created by the Alabama Legislature in 1963, and replaced existing extension programs operated in Mobile by the University of Alabama. No other areas of the state were willing to support such a...
.
In a 14-season career, Lieber compiled a 131-124 record with 1,553 strikeout
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....
s and a 4.27 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 2198.0 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
.
Liebers most productive season came in , when he posted a career-high 20 victories, was selected an All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, and finished 4th in the 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...
vote. In the same year, he one-hit 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....
, 3-0, ending the team's NL-record streak of 208 games in a row without being shut out. He missed the entire season after undergoing 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...
in 2002. Lieber signed a two-year contract with the Yankees following the 2002 season. After recovering from the surgery, Lieber rewarded the Yankees' investment in 2004 by winning 14 games (tied for the team lead) and becoming the team's most consistent pitcher down the stretch.
Before the 2005 season, Lieber signed as a free agent
Free 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....
with the Phillies. In 2005, Lieber led the team with 17 wins. His tenure with the Phillies ended early in the 2007 season after an ankle injury required season-ending surgery.
On January 16, , Lieber signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs.
According to his agent Rex Gary he retired after the 2008 season.
Lieber married Jessica Conway on September 18, 1992; the couple has one daughter, Jillian (born 10-22-1997) and three sons, Jared (born 7-27-2000) Justin (5-8-2003) and Jonah (6-1-2007).