Sean Marshall
Encyclopedia
Sean Christopher Marshall (born August 30, 1982 in Richmond
, Virginia
) is a Major League Baseball
left-handed pitcher
for the Chicago Cubs
. After three minor league seasons, Marshall was added to the Cubs' 40-man roster in November . He was married to Alexis DelChiaro at the time a morning anchor at KSAZ in Phoenix, AZ. They have since divorced.
Marshall graduated from Manchester High School in Midlothian
, Virginia, in 2000. He attended Virginia Commonwealth University
, and was drafted by the Cubs in the sixth round of the Major League Baseball Draft. Marshall spent three years in the minor leagues before being promoted to play with the Cubs, and had 24 starts in his rookie season in . Marshall started the season on the disabled list
, but returned to the Cubs' rotation in mid-May.
Marshall's twin brother Brian also plays baseball, and was taken in the fifth round of the same draft by the Boston Red Sox
.
including a junior season where he went 7-2 with a 2.61 ERA
recording 95 strikeout
s in 86.1 innings. He signed with the Cubs on June 7, 2003, and was assigned to the Single-A Boise Hawks
. Marshall was moved up a level each successive season, pitching in AA in and AAA in 2005. In 2006, Marshall spent the majority of the season with the major league team after starting the season at AAA. The following season he started in the minors, but as part of a rehab program healing from an arm injury.
on April 9, 2006, recording a no-decision. In that game he yielded a two-run homer to Scott Rolen
in the first inning before settling down to pitch solidly for 4+ innings. The Cubs trailed 4-3 in the late innings, but rallied to win on a Michael Barrett grand slam in the eighth inning. He earned his first major league win on April 14, 2006, against the Pittsburgh Pirates
. Marshall indicated his pleasure with the start. He stayed in the starting rotation for the first half of the year before suffering a strained left side muscle. Marshall left the rotation after a crushing loss on July 16 in which he gave up two grand slams
in one inning, blowing a 5-2 lead in the 6th inning against the New York Mets
. In 19 starts, Sean posted a 5-8 record with a 4.98 ERA. On September 2, Marshall returned to the Cubs' rotation, but posted a loss against the San Francisco Giants
. During the game, he gave up career home run #728 to Barry Bonds
in Chicago. In his remaining four starts, Marshall struggled, and completed six innings only once.
. On May 22, Marshall was promoted to the Cubs' starting rotation by manager Lou Piniella
replacing Ángel Guzmán
. Marshall struggled to get run support in his first two starts and fell to 0-2. On June 3, 2007, he claimed his first win of 2007 by matching a career high 8 strikeouts by leading the Cubs to a 10-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves
.
Marshall extended his string of quality starts with two additional wins against the Atlanta Braves
and the Seattle Mariners
, improving his record to 3-2. On June 13, 2007, Marshall pitched eight innings against Seattle, giving up seven hits
and only two earned runs. He expressed his enthusiasm after the game.
Marshall continued his strong June, and was 4-0 with a 2.32 ERA, but was dealt a loss on June 30 by the Milwaukee Brewers
lasting just two innings and giving up seven runs. In July, Marshall continued pitching well, giving up only six runs in his four starts; however, the Cubs did not provide much run support as he only gained one victory during the span.
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
) is a 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...
left-handed 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...
for 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...
. After three minor league seasons, Marshall was added to the Cubs' 40-man roster in November . He was married to Alexis DelChiaro at the time a morning anchor at KSAZ in Phoenix, AZ. They have since divorced.
Marshall graduated from Manchester High School in Midlothian
Midlothian, Virginia
Midlothian is an unincorporated community in Chesterfield County, Virginia, United States. Founded over 300 years ago as a coal mining village, it is now a suburban community located in the Southside of Richmond well beyond the city limits of Richmond in the Richmond–Petersburg region.It was named...
, Virginia, in 2000. He attended Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University is a public university located in Richmond, Virginia. It comprises two campuses in the Downtown Richmond area, the product of a merger between the Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia in 1968...
, and was drafted by the Cubs in the sixth round of the Major League Baseball Draft. Marshall spent three years in the minor leagues before being promoted to play with the Cubs, and had 24 starts in his rookie season in . Marshall started 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:...
, but returned to the Cubs' rotation in mid-May.
Marshall's twin brother Brian also plays baseball, and was taken in the fifth round of the same draft by 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"...
.
Minor league career
Marshall was drafted by the Cubs in the sixth round of the 2003 amateur draft after pitching for three seasons at VCUVirginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University is a public university located in Richmond, Virginia. It comprises two campuses in the Downtown Richmond area, the product of a merger between the Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia in 1968...
including a junior season where he went 7-2 with a 2.61 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...
recording 95 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 in 86.1 innings. He signed with the Cubs on June 7, 2003, and was assigned to the Single-A Boise Hawks
Boise Hawks
The Boise Hawks are a minor league baseball team, located in Boise, Idaho. The team is currently a farm team for the Chicago Cubs and play in the Short-Season Class A Northwest League.-History:...
. Marshall was moved up a level each successive season, pitching in AA in and AAA in 2005. In 2006, Marshall spent the majority of the season with the major league team after starting the season at AAA. The following season he started in the minors, but as part of a rehab program healing from an arm injury.
2006 Season
Marshall made his major league debut against the St. Louis CardinalsSt. 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...
on April 9, 2006, recording a no-decision. In that game he yielded a two-run homer to Scott Rolen
Scott Rolen
Scott Bruce Rolen is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is an eight-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time All-Star.-Philadelphia Phillies:...
in the first inning before settling down to pitch solidly for 4+ innings. The Cubs trailed 4-3 in the late innings, but rallied to win on a Michael Barrett grand slam in the eighth inning. He earned his first major league win on April 14, 2006, 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...
. Marshall indicated his pleasure with the start. He stayed in the starting rotation for the first half of the year before suffering a strained left side muscle. Marshall left the rotation after a crushing loss on July 16 in which he gave up two grand slams
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
in one inning, blowing a 5-2 lead in the 6th inning against the 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...
. In 19 starts, Sean posted a 5-8 record with a 4.98 ERA. On September 2, Marshall returned to the Cubs' rotation, but posted a loss against the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. During the game, he gave up career home run #728 to Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
in Chicago. In his remaining four starts, Marshall struggled, and completed six innings only once.
2007 Season
Marshall was fighting for the fifth starting pitcher spot for the 2007 Chicago Cubs organization. After rehabbing from a sore shoulder he started the season in Des Moines, Iowa, with the AAA Iowa CubsIowa 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:...
. On May 22, Marshall was promoted to the Cubs' starting rotation by manager Lou Piniella
Lou Piniella
Louis Victor Piniella is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He has been nicknamed "Sweet Lou," both for his swing as a major league hitter and, facetiously, to describe his demeanor as a player and manager...
replacing Ángel Guzmán
Ángel Guzmán
Ángel Moisés Guzmán is a professional baseball pitcher. Listed at 6-3 , 195 pounds , Guzmán bats and throws right-handed. He made his major league debut on April 26, .-Career:...
. Marshall struggled to get run support in his first two starts and fell to 0-2. On June 3, 2007, he claimed his first win of 2007 by matching a career high 8 strikeouts by leading the Cubs to a 10-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
.
Marshall extended his string of quality starts with two additional wins against the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
and 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...
, improving his record to 3-2. On June 13, 2007, Marshall pitched eight innings against Seattle, giving up seven hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and only two earned runs. He expressed his enthusiasm after the game.
Marshall continued his strong June, and was 4-0 with a 2.32 ERA, but was dealt a loss on June 30 by 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...
lasting just two innings and giving up seven runs. In July, Marshall continued pitching well, giving up only six runs in his four starts; however, the Cubs did not provide much run support as he only gained one victory during the span.