Shawn Chacón
Encyclopedia
Shawn Anthony Chacón is a Major League
pitcher
, currently a free agent. He last played in the Majors for the Houston Astros
. He throws an 88–92 mph sinker
, a big curveball
, a slider
, and a changeup
.
, but has only dim recollection of his biological mother and none of his father (he believes his biological father was African-American and his mother Latina). His mother placed him in a Greeley, Colorado
foster home when he was 4, and he was adopted by Tony and Blanca Chacón.
"There's no way I could have ended up any better than I am," Chacón told the Rocky Mountain News
. "Some (adopted) people go back and ask, 'Why?' I don't want to ask, 'Why?' The only thing I'd say is, 'Thank you.' "My parents were not able to have children, which is why they adopted me. We are pretty blessed to have each other."
Chacón was a star at Greeley Central High School, one of only two athletes to ever have his jersey number retired in the 123-year history of the school (Former basketball player and current University of Colorado coach Tad Boyle
was the other).
in the 3rd Round of the amateur draft. He later signed on June 18, 1996. Chacón made his MLB debut in as a member of the Rockies. He developed into a capable starter and was Colorado's All-Star representative, finishing 11-8 with a 4.60 ERA
. That year he won 11 games before the All Star break; the only other Rockies pitchers to have done that through 2009 are Aaron Cook (2008), Jason Marquis
(2009), and Ubaldo Jiménez
(2010) The next year, he was converted into a closer
and put up one of the most bizarre stat lines in baseball history. Chacón was 9th in the National League with 35 saves, but his record was 1-9 and his ERA 7.11. Chacón was 1-7 in as a starter before being traded to the Yankees on July 28, 2005.
fans and members of the tough New York media
criticized the trade, calling it a bandage and not a solution, much like how the Yankees saw starts from Tim Redding
, Darrell May
and Sean Henn
in 2005. Chacón was excited to be coming to New York, and he did not waver under the initial pressure and criticism. In his first start as a Yankee, he pitched six innings without allowing an earned run
against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
. He finished 7–3 with a 2.85 ERA for the Yankees. Chacón made his postseason debut in Game 4 of the 2005 American League Division Series
against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He pitched 6⅓ innings and allowed just 2 runs in a Yankee win.
Before the season, sportswriters thought that Chacón would be a big key to the Yankee rotation. Chacón, however, got off to a slow start, but started pitching well in late April. On May 16, the Texas Rangers
scored 7 runs off Chacón. After the terrible start, Chacón went on the 15-day disabled list
. Chacón came off the DL on June 11. After coming off the DL, Chacón could not pitch 5 innings, forcing the Yankees to use their tired bullpen. On July 6, Chacón was sent to the bullpen after giving up seven runs in 1⅓ innings against the Cleveland Indians
on July 4. He was replaced in the rotation by Kris Wilson.
Chacón was used as a starter by the Pirates
, making 9 starts and going 2-3 with a 5.48 ERA.
In , Chacón was mainly used as a reliever by the Pirates, but also made 4 starts. He went 5–4 with a 3.94 ERA in 64 games for the Pirates in 2007. Chacón was granted free agency after the season.
worth $2 million.
On June 25, 2008, the Astros announced that Chacón was suspended indefinitely for insubordination after a physical altercation with Astros General Manager
Ed Wade
. The incident began after Chacón repeatedly refused to leave the team dining room to speak with Wade in his office. Chacón claimed that Wade raised his voice and verbally attacked him, telling him to "look in the mirror", though Wade has denied raising his voice or verbally attacking Chacón. In a fit of rage Chacón grabbed the much smaller Wade by the neck and threw him to the ground. When Wade tried to get up Chacón repeatedly knocked him back down before other players could intervene to stop the assault. On whether he regretted the incident Chacón stated "If there's any regret, I just wish they had just let me alone". Wade was not injured by the assault. The next day, Chacón was placed on waivers by the Astros and after clearing waivers, his contract was terminated with cause, meaning that Chacón forfeited $983,607 in salary (this move was appealed by the MLB Players' Association, but the termination with cause was upheld by an arbitrator in August 2010). Chacon did not pitch again in 2008.
of the Atlantic League
and started 7 games, pitching to a 4.29 ERA with a 3-3 record. His performance with the Bears earned him a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics
organization on June 18, 2009. Pitching for AAA Sacramento
, went 8-4 in 14 appearances (12 starts), but with an ERA of 6.29.
Chacón holds the Major League record for number of consecutive no decisions to start a season with nine
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...
, currently a free agent. He last played in the Majors for the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. He throws an 88–92 mph sinker
Sinker (baseball)
In baseball, a sinker , is a type of fastball pitch which has significant downward and horizontal movement. The sinker is known for inducing a lot of ground balls...
, a big curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
, a slider
Slider
In baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
, and a changeup
Changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball. Other names include change-of-pace, Bugs Bunny change-up, the dreaded equalizer, and simply change. The changeup is sometimes called an off-speed pitch, although that term can also be used simply to mean any pitch that is slower than a fastball...
.
Early years
Chacón was born in Anchorage, AlaskaAnchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is a unified home rule municipality in the southcentral part of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the northernmost major city in the United States...
, but has only dim recollection of his biological mother and none of his father (he believes his biological father was African-American and his mother Latina). His mother placed him in a Greeley, Colorado
Greeley, Colorado
The City of Greeley is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Weld County, Colorado, United States. Greeley is located in the region known as Northern Colorado. Greeley is situated north-northeast of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. According to the...
foster home when he was 4, and he was adopted by Tony and Blanca Chacón.
"There's no way I could have ended up any better than I am," Chacón told the Rocky Mountain News
Rocky Mountain News
The Rocky Mountain News was a daily newspaper published in Denver, Colorado, United States from April 23, 1859, until February 27, 2009. It was owned by the E. W. Scripps Company from 1926 until its closing. As of March 2006, the Monday-Friday circulation was 255,427...
. "Some (adopted) people go back and ask, 'Why?' I don't want to ask, 'Why?' The only thing I'd say is, 'Thank you.' "My parents were not able to have children, which is why they adopted me. We are pretty blessed to have each other."
Chacón was a star at Greeley Central High School, one of only two athletes to ever have his jersey number retired in the 123-year history of the school (Former basketball player and current University of Colorado coach Tad Boyle
Tad Boyle
Tad Boyle is an American college basketball coach and the current head men's basketball coach at the University of Colorado. He was named the 18th coach in University of Colorado men's basketball history on April 19, 2010...
was the other).
Colorado Rockies
Chacón was recruited by Arizona State, but chose to play professionally after he was drafted by the Colorado RockiesColorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
in the 3rd Round of the amateur draft. He later signed on June 18, 1996. Chacón made his MLB debut in as a member of the Rockies. He developed into a capable starter and was Colorado's All-Star representative, finishing 11-8 with a 4.60 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...
. That year he won 11 games before the All Star break; the only other Rockies pitchers to have done that through 2009 are Aaron Cook (2008), Jason Marquis
Jason Marquis
Jason Scott Marquis is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He previously pitched for the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks....
(2009), and Ubaldo Jiménez
Ubaldo Jimenez
Ubaldo Jiménez García is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians. He pitched the first no-hitter in Colorado Rockies history on April 17, 2010, against the Atlanta Braves.-Colorado Rockies :...
(2010) The next year, he was converted into a closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
and put up one of the most bizarre stat lines in baseball history. Chacón was 9th in the National League with 35 saves, but his record was 1-9 and his ERA 7.11. Chacón was 1-7 in as a starter before being traded to the Yankees on July 28, 2005.
New York Yankees
He was acquired by the Yankees in July 2005 for minor league pitchers Ramon Ramirez and Eduardo Sierra. Many New YorkNew 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...
fans and members of the tough New York media
Media of New York City
The media of New York City are internationally influential, and include some of the most important newspapers, largest publishing houses, most prolific television studios, and biggest record companies in the world...
criticized the trade, calling it a bandage and not a solution, much like how the Yankees saw starts from Tim Redding
Tim Redding
Timothy James Redding is an American professional baseball pitcher, who is currently a free agent. He has also pitched for the Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, Washington Nationals, New York Yankees, and New York Mets.-Biography:...
, Darrell May
Darrell May
Darrell Kevin May is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher who last played for the New York Yankees. May stands at 6'2" tall and weighs 190 pounds...
and Sean Henn
Sean Henn
Sean Michael Henn is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball...
in 2005. Chacón was excited to be coming to New York, and he did not waver under the initial pressure and criticism. In his first start as a Yankee, he pitched six innings without allowing an earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
against 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...
. He finished 7–3 with a 2.85 ERA for the Yankees. Chacón made his postseason debut in Game 4 of the 2005 American League Division Series
2005 American League Division Series
-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. New York Yankees:†: Game was postponed due to rain on October 8-Game 1, October 4:U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois...
against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He pitched 6⅓ innings and allowed just 2 runs in a Yankee win.
Before the season, sportswriters thought that Chacón would be a big key to the Yankee rotation. Chacón, however, got off to a slow start, but started pitching well in late April. On May 16, the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
scored 7 runs off Chacón. After the terrible start, Chacón went on the 15-day 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:...
. Chacón came off the DL on June 11. After coming off the DL, Chacón could not pitch 5 innings, forcing the Yankees to use their tired bullpen. On July 6, Chacón was sent to the bullpen after giving up seven runs in 1⅓ innings against the 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...
on July 4. He was replaced in the rotation by Kris Wilson.
Pittsburgh Pirates
During the July 31, 2006, mid-season non-waiver trade deadline, he was dealt for the less expensive Craig Wilson.Chacón was used as a starter by the 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...
, making 9 starts and going 2-3 with a 5.48 ERA.
In , Chacón was mainly used as a reliever by the Pirates, but also made 4 starts. He went 5–4 with a 3.94 ERA in 64 games for the Pirates in 2007. Chacón was granted free agency after the season.
Houston Astros
On February 20, 2008, Chacón signed a one-year deal with the Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
worth $2 million.
On June 25, 2008, the Astros announced that Chacón was suspended indefinitely for insubordination after a physical altercation with Astros General Manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
Ed Wade
Ed Wade
Ed Wade is the former General Manager of the Houston Astros.-Early career in baseball:Wade started his baseball career in 1977 as an intern in the Phillies public relations department. In 1977, he was named public relations assistant for the Astros and was promoted to public relations director in...
. The incident began after Chacón repeatedly refused to leave the team dining room to speak with Wade in his office. Chacón claimed that Wade raised his voice and verbally attacked him, telling him to "look in the mirror", though Wade has denied raising his voice or verbally attacking Chacón. In a fit of rage Chacón grabbed the much smaller Wade by the neck and threw him to the ground. When Wade tried to get up Chacón repeatedly knocked him back down before other players could intervene to stop the assault. On whether he regretted the incident Chacón stated "If there's any regret, I just wish they had just let me alone". Wade was not injured by the assault. The next day, Chacón was placed on waivers by the Astros and after clearing waivers, his contract was terminated with cause, meaning that Chacón forfeited $983,607 in salary (this move was appealed by the MLB Players' Association, but the termination with cause was upheld by an arbitrator in August 2010). Chacon did not pitch again in 2008.
Newark Bears/Oakland Athletics
On May 1, 2009, Chacón signed a one year deal with the Newark BearsNewark Bears
The Newark Bears are an American professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 1999 season, the Bears have played their home games at Bears &...
of the Atlantic League
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
and started 7 games, pitching to a 4.29 ERA with a 3-3 record. His performance with the Bears earned him a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
organization on June 18, 2009. Pitching for AAA Sacramento
Sacramento River Cats
The Sacramento River Cats is a minor league baseball team based in Sacramento, California. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and is the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics....
, went 8-4 in 14 appearances (12 starts), but with an ERA of 6.29.
Personal
Currently Shawn Chacon is a volunteer coach for Little League baseball and gives private lessons.On the leaderboards
Chacón is among the Rockies all-time leaders in various pitching categories. A T indicates a tie on the list.- T-4th, career ERA (5.20, shared with Kevin RitzKevin RitzKevin D. Ritz is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. Ritz grew up in Bloomfield, Iowa. He is an alumnus of William Penn University and Indian Hills Community College....
) - 12th, career wins (24)
- 1st, career hits allowed per 9 innings (8.85)
- 2nd, career strikeouts per 9 innings (6.27)
- 7th, career saves (35)
- 2nd, single season saves (35, 2004)
- 8th, career innings pitched (554⅓)
- 9th, single season strikeouts (134, 2001)
- 8th, career strikeouts (385)
Chacón holds the Major League record for number of consecutive no decisions to start a season with nine