Rocky Cherry
Encyclopedia
Rocky Ty Cherry is a pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who is currently a free agent
.
from 2000–2002. He was used mostly in relief his first season, but was a full-time starter by the time he finished at school. He had an overall record of 18–16 in 208 innings pitched.
The Philadelphia Phillies
chose Cherry in the 10th round of the June 2001 entry draft, but he did not sign at the time. The Chicago Cubs
made him a 14th round pick the following year, and he signed with them.
He was a starter his first three minor league seasons (2003–2005). Cherry's 2005 season ended after only three appearances for the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx
of the Double-A Southern League
, after which he had Tommy John surgery
.
When he returned to West Tenn in 2006, Cherry became a full-time reliever. He had a middle finger injury to his pitching hand in mid-July which also required surgery.
Cherry made his major league debut on April 23, 2007 with the Cubs against the Milwaukee Brewers
in a relief appearance. He wound up being the loser in his MLB debut, but got his first big league win May 1 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
.
In August 2007, the Cubs traded Cherry and third baseman Scott Moore to the Orioles for starting pitcher Steve Trachsel
.
Cherry began 2008 on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder strain. As of May 20, he was on rehab assignment to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides
. He was the last visiting pitcher ever at the old Yankee Stadium while a member of the Baltimore Orioles on September 21, 2008.
In December 2008, Cherry was selected by the New York Mets in the 2008 Rule 5 draft
. He was released by the Mets on March 17, 2009, after the Baltimore Orioles
declined to take him back.
On March 24, , Cherry signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox
. He was released on August 18, 2009. On August 21, 2009, Cherry signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres
. He was granted free agency on November 9, 2009.
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...
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...
who is currently 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....
.
Biography
Cherry pitched for the University of OklahomaUniversity of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
from 2000–2002. He was used mostly in relief his first season, but was a full-time starter by the time he finished at school. He had an overall record of 18–16 in 208 innings pitched.
The 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...
chose Cherry in the 10th round of the June 2001 entry draft, but he did not sign at the time. 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...
made him a 14th round pick the following year, and he signed with them.
He was a starter his first three minor league seasons (2003–2005). Cherry's 2005 season ended after only three appearances for the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx
West Tenn Diamond Jaxx
The Jackson Generals are a minor league baseball team of the Southern League and the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The team is located in Jackson, Tennessee, and plays their home games at Pringles Park; opened in 1998, the park currently holds 6,000 fans.From their inaugural season...
of the Double-A Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
, after which he had 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...
.
When he returned to West Tenn in 2006, Cherry became a full-time reliever. He had a middle finger injury to his pitching hand in mid-July which also required surgery.
Cherry made his major league debut on April 23, 2007 with the Cubs against 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...
in a relief appearance. He wound up being the loser in his MLB debut, but got his first big league win May 1 against 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...
.
In August 2007, the Cubs traded Cherry and third baseman Scott Moore to the Orioles for starting pitcher Steve Trachsel
Steve Trachsel
Stephen Christopher Trachsel , nicknamed "The Human Rain Delay", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is known for the long amount of time he takes to deliver the ball to home plate in between pitches. Games in which he pitches are known to be considerably longer than most games, leading...
.
Cherry began 2008 on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder strain. As of May 20, he was on rehab assignment to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides
Norfolk Tides
The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets.-Franchise history:The...
. He was the last visiting pitcher ever at the old Yankee Stadium while a member of the Baltimore Orioles on September 21, 2008.
In December 2008, Cherry was selected by the New York Mets in the 2008 Rule 5 draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. He was released by the Mets on March 17, 2009, after the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
declined to take him back.
On March 24, , Cherry signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. He was released on August 18, 2009. On August 21, 2009, Cherry signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. He was granted free agency on November 9, 2009.