Todd Wellemeyer
Encyclopedia
Todd Allen Wellemeyer is a former right-handed pitcher
in Major League Baseball
. He is the brother of American entrepreneur Jeff Wellemeyer
. He has played in the Major Leagues for 8 years, across 5 teams (twice with the Chicago Cubs
), working as both a starting and relief pitcher.
While attending Bellarmine University
, he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs
and remains the only Chicago Cub
to earn a save in his major league debut, earning it by striking out
three batters in order against Milwaukee
after 17 innings of play.
Wellemeyer also picked up the win
in the longest scoreless game ever played in Wrigley Field
history. He struck out 4 in only 2 innings in a 1-0 marathon 16-inning game. Sammy Sosa
hit a game-winning single
to center field causing Preston Wilson
to crash into the wall and lose the ball to win the game in the 16th inning.
His best season came in 2008 with the St. Louis Cardinals
, when he went 13-9 with a team best (among qualified starters) 3.71 ERA. During the 2008 season he also won Pitcher of the Month
honors for May, when he went 4-0 with a 2.19 ERA. He finished 2008 ranked 18th in the NL in Wins, and 16th in the NL in ERA (3.71).
Wellemeyer was born on the same day as fellow pitcher Cliff Lee
August 30, 1978. He also shares a birthday with former St. Louis Cardinals
teammate Adam Wainwright
.
On February 10, 2010, Wellemeyer signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants
, subsequently signing a major leagure contract for 2010 as the fifth starter.
Until his injury on June 10, 2010, Wellemeyer struggled through nine starts posting a 3-5 record with an ERA of 5.52. The injury opened the door for Madison Bumgarner. Wellemeyer pitched his final game with the Giants on August 8 against the Braves. He was unable to record an out giving up four base hits and one earned run. That spelled the end for Wellemeyer and the Giants released him into free agency.
On January 25, 2011, Wellemeyer signed a non-guaranteed one-year contract to return to the Chicago Cubs
.
Wellemeyer retired on May 7, 2011.
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...
. He is the brother of American entrepreneur Jeff Wellemeyer
Jeff Wellemeyer
Jeff Wellemeyer is an American entrepreneur, computer scientist and software developer. He is best known for creating the cloud based communications technologies for delivering IP PBX services, developing the first high-speed wireless Internet technology and developing the first computer systems...
. He has played in the Major Leagues for 8 years, across 5 teams (twice with 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...
), working as both a starting and relief pitcher.
While attending Bellarmine University
Bellarmine University
Bellarmine University is an independent, private, Catholic university in Louisville, Kentucky. The liberal arts institution opened on October 3, 1950, as Bellarmine College, established by Archbishop John A. Floersh of the Archdiocese of Louisville and named after the Cardinal Saint Robert...
, he was drafted by 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...
and remains the only Chicago Cub
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...
to earn a save in his major league debut, earning it by striking out
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....
three batters in order against Milwaukee
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...
after 17 innings of play.
Wellemeyer also picked up the win
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
in the longest scoreless game ever played in Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
history. He struck out 4 in only 2 innings in a 1-0 marathon 16-inning game. Sammy Sosa
Sammy Sosa
Samuel Peralta "Sammy" Sosa is a Dominican former professional baseball right fielder. Sosa played with four Major League Baseball teams over his career which spanned from 1989-2007....
hit a game-winning single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
to center field causing Preston Wilson
Preston Wilson
Preston James Richard Wilson is a retired professional baseball outfielder. He played in the major leagues from 1998-2007. He is both the nephew and stepson of former New York Mets star Mookie Wilson...
to crash into the wall and lose the ball to win the game in the 16th inning.
His best season came in 2008 with the St. Louis Cardinals
St. 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...
, when he went 13-9 with a team best (among qualified starters) 3.71 ERA. During the 2008 season he also won Pitcher of the Month
Pitcher of the Month
The Pitcher of the Month award is a Major League Baseball award named by each league for each month of the regular season. The National League started recognizing the award in . The American League followed in...
honors for May, when he went 4-0 with a 2.19 ERA. He finished 2008 ranked 18th in the NL in Wins, and 16th in the NL in ERA (3.71).
Wellemeyer was born on the same day as fellow pitcher Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee
Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers....
August 30, 1978. He also shares a birthday with former St. Louis Cardinals
St. 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...
teammate Adam Wainwright
Adam Wainwright
Adam Parrish Wainwright is a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was drafted 29th overall by the Atlanta Braves in the 2000 amateur draft. He made his major league debut for the St...
.
On February 10, 2010, Wellemeyer signed a minor league contract with 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....
, subsequently signing a major leagure contract for 2010 as the fifth starter.
Until his injury on June 10, 2010, Wellemeyer struggled through nine starts posting a 3-5 record with an ERA of 5.52. The injury opened the door for Madison Bumgarner. Wellemeyer pitched his final game with the Giants on August 8 against the Braves. He was unable to record an out giving up four base hits and one earned run. That spelled the end for Wellemeyer and the Giants released him into free agency.
On January 25, 2011, Wellemeyer signed a non-guaranteed one-year contract to return to 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...
.
Wellemeyer retired on May 7, 2011.