Mike Butcher
Encyclopedia
Michael Dana Butcher is a retired Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
. He pitched for the California Angels
from to .
Butcher graduated from United Township High School
in East Moline, Illinois
in 1983. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds
in the 4th round of the 1986 Major League Baseball Draft
, but did not sign. He signed with the Kansas City Royals
after being drafted in the 2nd round of the 1986 June Secondary draft. Butcher was released by the Royals in 1988 and then signed as a free agent with the California Angels, with whom he made his Major League debut in 1992. Butcher played his final Major League game in 1995, although he pitched in the Seattle Mariners
', Cleveland Indians
' and Angels' organizations until 1998.
He is currently the pitching coach for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
, having served in that position since November 2006.
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
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
. He pitched for the California Angels
Los 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...
from to .
Butcher graduated from United Township High School
United Township High School
United Township High School, also known as UTHS or UT, is a public four-year high school located in East Moline, Illinois, a city in Rock Island County, in the United States. The school is the only public high school in the city of East Moline, and is part of United Township High School District 30...
in East Moline, Illinois
East Moline, Illinois
East Moline is a city in Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 20,333 at the 2000 census. East Moline is one of the five Quad Cities,, along with the cities of Rock Island, Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities has a population of 379,690...
in 1983. He was drafted by 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....
in the 4th round of the 1986 Major League Baseball Draft
1986 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1986 Major League Baseball Draft was the 22nd MLB draft that took place in 1986. During this draft, five all-stars were drafted in five different teams.-First round selections:...
, but did not sign. He signed with the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
after being drafted in the 2nd round of the 1986 June Secondary draft. Butcher was released by the Royals in 1988 and then signed as a free agent with the California Angels, with whom he made his Major League debut in 1992. Butcher played his final Major League game in 1995, although he pitched in 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...
', Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
' and Angels' organizations until 1998.
He is currently the pitching coach for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los 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...
, having served in that position since November 2006.