Shawn Estes
Encyclopedia
Aaron Shawn Estes is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
. After he attended Douglas High School in Minden, Nevada
, he was offered a scholarship by Stanford University
. He turned it down, however, in favor of signing with the Seattle Mariners
after he was selected by the Mariners in the 1st round of the 1991 MLB Draft
out of Douglas High School.
from 1992-1995. The Mariners traded Estes to the San Francisco Giants
on May 21, 1995 for Salomon Torres
.
The Giants moved him through their farm system rapidly during the 1995 season, sending him to the Burlington Bees
, San Jose Giants
and Shreveport Captains.
. He allowed five earned runs and collected the Loss. He was 0-3 in three starts for the Giants that September.
Estes returned to the minors to start the 1996 season, with the Phoenix Firebirds
but was recalled to the Majors to start a game against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers
on July 13. Estes worked seven shutout innings to record his first career victory.
Estes had his best season as a professional in , when he went 19-5 with a 3.18 ERA
for the San Francisco Giants
. He was selected to the NL All-Star team during this season. He also has 4 career home runs and 28 RBI
s, including a grand slam
in .
on December 16, 2001 for Desi Relaford
and Tsuyoshi Shinjo
. On June 15, 2002, Estes found himself at the center of a memorable controversy when he started against the New York Yankees
against legendary pitcher Roger Clemens
. In 2000, Clemens had beaned star Mets catcher Mike Piazza
, followed by the notorious incident in Game 2 of the 2000 World Series
in which Clemens threw a broken bat at Piazza. In the weeks leading up to Clemens' first appearance at Shea Stadium
, the big question was whether the Mets would retaliate when the pitcher finally came to bat. With the fans standing in anticipation of the showdown, Estes made his intent clear on the first pitch: an 87 mph fastball that was about a foot behind Clemens. Estes would later find a better way to hurt Clemens, hitting a two-run homer in the fifth inning of the eventual 8-0 Mets win, setting off a loud roar from the sellout crowd of 54,347 and derisive chants of "Ro-ger! Ro-ger!"
Estes would ultimately start 23 games for the Mets with a record of 4-9 and a 4.55 ERA before he was traded again on August 15 to the Cincinnati Reds
for Brady Clark
, Raul Gonzalez
, Elvin Andujar and Pedro Feliciano
. He pitched in just six games for the Reds, finishing 1-3 with a high 7.71 ERA.
This led to a period where he appeared with three different teams over the next three seasons. He played for the Chicago Cubs
in 2003 (8-11, 5.73 in 28 starts), Colorado Rockies
in 2004 (15-8, 5.84 in 34 starts) and Arizona Diamondbacks
in 2005 (7-8, 4.80 in 21 starts).
Estes signed one year deal with the San Diego Padres
for the 2006 season but made only one start before he was lost for the season due to Tommy John surgery
.
Estes began his comeback with minor league appearances in Single-A, though he was soon promoted to Triple-A Portland
. After his first start in Portland, Estes reaggravated his injured pitching elbow. He was placed on the disabled list
retroactive to August 6.
On May 8, , Estes finally returned to the Majors after missing most of the previous two seasons with injuries. He started eight games for the Padres in 2008, finishing 2-3 with a 4.74 ERA. The Padres chose not to resign him after the season.
On January 9, , Estes signed a one-year minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers
with an invitation to spring training. He was expected to compete for the fifth starter position but pitched poorly in spring training games and was released on March 22. However, after thinking about his options, he decided to stay with the Dodgers and report to minor league camp to attempt to transition into a situational reliever The Dodgers assigned Estes to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes
to open the season, where he was 3-4 with a 3.08 ERA in 13 starts before announcing his retirement because he didn't want to pitch in AAA.
. On March 11, 2010, the Nationals released him. After his release from the Nationals, he retired from 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...
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...
. After he attended Douglas High School in Minden, Nevada
Minden, Nevada
Minden is a census-designated place in Douglas County, Nevada, United States. The population was 2,836 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Douglas County and is adjacent to the city of Gardnerville. It is named after the town of Minden, in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It...
, he was offered a scholarship by Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
. He turned it down, however, in favor of signing with 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...
after he was selected by the Mariners in the 1st round of the 1991 MLB Draft
MLB Draft
The First-Year Player Draft, also known as the Rule 4 Draft, is Major League Baseball's primary mechanism for assigning amateur baseball players, from high schools, colleges, and other amateur baseball clubs, to its teams. The draft order is determined based on the previous season's standings, with...
out of Douglas High School.
Minor leagues
He began his career with the Bellingham Mariners in "A" ball in 1991. He then played with the Appleton Foxes, Arizona League Mariners and Wisconsin Timber RattlersWisconsin Timber Rattlers
The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are a minor league baseball team of the Midwest League, and the Class A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Grand Chute, Wisconsin, and are named for timber rattlesnakes. The team plays its home games at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium...
from 1992-1995. The Mariners traded Estes to 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....
on May 21, 1995 for Salomon Torres
Salomón Torres
Salomón Torres Ramirez is a former Major League Baseball player. He began his career in with the San Francisco Giants, and also played for the Seattle Mariners, Montreal Expos, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Milwaukee Brewers.-San Francisco Giants:Torres is best known for starting the last game of the...
.
The Giants moved him through their farm system rapidly during the 1995 season, sending him to the Burlington Bees
Burlington Bees
The Burlington Bees are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Oakland Athletics, that plays in the Midwest League. Their home is in Burlington, Iowa.-History:...
, San Jose Giants
San Jose Giants
The San Jose Giants are a minor league baseball team in San Jose, California, USA. They are a Class A - Advanced team in the Northern Division of the California League, and have been a farm team of the San Francisco Giants since 1988. Home games are played at San Jose Municipal Stadium...
and Shreveport Captains.
San Francisco Giants
Estes made his Major League debut with the Giants on September 16, 1995, working 5.1 innings as a starter against the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh 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...
. He allowed five earned runs and collected the Loss. He was 0-3 in three starts for the Giants that September.
Estes returned to the minors to start the 1996 season, with the Phoenix Firebirds
Phoenix Firebirds
The Phoenix Firebirds, formerly the Phoenix Giants, were a Minor League Baseball team that played in Phoenix, Arizona, USA from 1958-1959, and 1966 until 1997....
but was recalled to the Majors to start a game against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
on July 13. Estes worked seven shutout innings to record his first career victory.
Estes had his best season as a professional in , when he went 19-5 with a 3.18 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...
for 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....
. He was selected to the NL All-Star team during this season. He also has 4 career home runs and 28 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
s, including a grand slam
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 .
2002-2005
The Giants traded Estes to the New York MetsNew 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...
on December 16, 2001 for Desi Relaford
Desi Relaford
Desmond Lamont "Desi" Relaford is an American former professional baseball infielder. He has played for the Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies.Known more for his defense than his bat, his versatility was...
and Tsuyoshi Shinjo
Tsuyoshi Shinjo
is a former Japanese professional baseball outfielder.-Career:Born in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan and raised in Minami-ku, Fukuoka, he played for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan from until , then for Major League Baseball's New York Mets and San Francisco Giants...
. On June 15, 2002, Estes found himself at the center of a memorable controversy when he started against the 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...
against legendary pitcher Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens
William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
. In 2000, Clemens had beaned star Mets catcher Mike Piazza
Mike Piazza
Michael Joseph "Mike" Piazza ; born September 4, 1968) is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. He played in his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and the Oakland Athletics....
, followed by the notorious incident in Game 2 of the 2000 World Series
2000 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 21, 2000 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkThe opener fell on two anniversaries. Twenty-five years prior, Boston Red Sox's catcher Carlton Fisk ended Game 6 of the 1975 World Series with his famous home run off the left field foul pole in Fenway Park in Boston to beat...
in which Clemens threw a broken bat at Piazza. In the weeks leading up to Clemens' first appearance at Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
, the big question was whether the Mets would retaliate when the pitcher finally came to bat. With the fans standing in anticipation of the showdown, Estes made his intent clear on the first pitch: an 87 mph fastball that was about a foot behind Clemens. Estes would later find a better way to hurt Clemens, hitting a two-run homer in the fifth inning of the eventual 8-0 Mets win, setting off a loud roar from the sellout crowd of 54,347 and derisive chants of "Ro-ger! Ro-ger!"
Estes would ultimately start 23 games for the Mets with a record of 4-9 and a 4.55 ERA before he was traded again on August 15 to 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....
for Brady Clark
Brady Clark
Brady William Clark is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Brady is a class of 1991 graduate of Sunset High School in Portland, Oregon and 1996 graduate of the University of San Diego...
, Raul Gonzalez
Raúl González (baseball)
Victor Raúl González is a free agent Major League Baseball outfielder. He bats and throws right-handed....
, Elvin Andujar and Pedro Feliciano
Pedro Feliciano
Pedro Juan Feliciano Molina is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Early career:...
. He pitched in just six games for the Reds, finishing 1-3 with a high 7.71 ERA.
This led to a period where he appeared with three different teams over the next three seasons. He played 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...
in 2003 (8-11, 5.73 in 28 starts), Colorado Rockies
Colorado 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 2004 (15-8, 5.84 in 34 starts) and Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
in 2005 (7-8, 4.80 in 21 starts).
Injury problems
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...
for the 2006 season but made only one start before he was lost for the season due to 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...
.
Estes began his comeback with minor league appearances in Single-A, though he was soon promoted to Triple-A Portland
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
. After his first start in Portland, Estes reaggravated his injured pitching elbow. He was placed 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:...
retroactive to August 6.
On May 8, , Estes finally returned to the Majors after missing most of the previous two seasons with injuries. He started eight games for the Padres in 2008, finishing 2-3 with a 4.74 ERA. The Padres chose not to resign him after the season.
On January 9, , Estes signed a one-year minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
with an invitation to spring training. He was expected to compete for the fifth starter position but pitched poorly in spring training games and was released on March 22. However, after thinking about his options, he decided to stay with the Dodgers and report to minor league camp to attempt to transition into a situational reliever The Dodgers assigned Estes to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes
Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers...
to open the season, where he was 3-4 with a 3.08 ERA in 13 starts before announcing his retirement because he didn't want to pitch in AAA.
Washington Nationals
On February 6, 2010, Estes signed a minor league contract with the Washington NationalsWashington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. On March 11, 2010, the Nationals released him. After his release from the Nationals, he retired from baseball.
Life after baseball
On July 31, 2010, Estes was honored with a plaque on the Giants Wall of Fame along with former teammate Rich AuriliaRich Aurilia
Richard Santo Aurilia is a former Major League Baseball player, mainly as a shortstop. He bats and throws right-handed.The 24th round pick of the Texas Rangers in the 1992 Major League Baseball Draft, Aurilia worked in the Rangers minor league system before being traded with first baseman Desi...
.