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Bullpen Catcher
The bullpen catcher is a member of a baseball team's staff, often a former professional player, who catches the ball for relief pitchers warming up before entering a game and starting pitchers before games. A bullpen catcher differentiates from a typical catcher as they are considered a coach and not a player, thus they cannot be behind home plate in an official game. History The duties of the bullpen catcher predate the coaching staff position itself. For many decades, it was standard for baseball teams to roster three catchers. The third catcher usually wouldn't see frequent playing time and was primarily responsible for helping pitchers warm up in the bullpen. In the 1980s, teams began to drop the third catcher from their roster in order to free up the spot to add a player considered more valuable. The bullpen catching duties were gradually shifted to a new position on the coaching staff instead of the active roster. Having a member of a team's staff dedicated solely to bullpen ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Scott Cursi
Scott Cursi is the clubhouse assistant and former bullpen catcher for the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team. Career He played as a catcher at Pickerington High School in Ohio and Seminole Community College, where he later served as an assistant while taking classes at University of Central Florida. He took a summer job as a bullpen catcher for the Chicago Cubs' Double-A Southern League affiliate, which later became the Orlando Rays under the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (now the Tampa Bay Rays) organization. Cursi served as Orlando's bullpen catcher for three seasons, from 1996 to 1998,. In 1999, Larry Rothschild, then Tampa Bay manager, offered Cursi a job as bullpen catcher on the recommendation of Orlando manager Bruce Kimm. Cursi began catching in Tampa Bay's bullpen on Easter Sunday in 1999, working home games while he completed his college degree, before becoming the full-time bullpen catcher later that season. Cursi went to the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game with the Rays' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dave Racaniello
David Racaniello (born June 3, 1978), usually known as Dave and nicknamed Rac, is a bullpen catcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). Early life Born June 3, 1978, in Stamford, Connecticut, Racaniello attended Westhill High School, later going on to attend Norwalk Community College and Central Connecticut State University. Amateur career Racaniello played baseball at Westhill High School, including time as a catcher. He later went on to play baseball for Norwalk Community College for two years, where he was a teammate of future MLB pitcher Érik Bédard. In 1998, Racaniello's team at Norwalk won the NJCAA Division III Baseball World Series. Afterwards, Racaniello transferred to Central Connecticut State University, where he also played baseball. Professional career In the summer of 1997, Racaniello, then still a student at Norwalk, attended a Mets game with a friend. His friend's father was friends with the Mets' then-manager, Bobby Valentine, giving Racani ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rob Flippo
Robert B. Flippo (born September 9, 1966) is an American professional baseball coach. He is the bullpen coordinator for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB). Career He played college baseball at San Joaquin Delta College, where he was a two-year letterman and all-conference selection in 1986 and at the University of Pacific, where he was a two-year letterman, team captain, and a Conference Scholar Athlete. He played Minor League Baseball for the Bakersfield Dodgers in 1989 before beginning his coaching career. He was an assistant coach at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington from 1998-2001, where he was the hitting coach as well as outfield and catchers coach. He also coached at Fresno State University and the University of South Alabama. Los Angeles Dodgers He joined the Los Angeles Dodgers organization as a coach for the Single-A Wilmington Waves in 2001 before becoming the Dodgers Bullpen Catcher in 2002. He also served as the batting practice pitcher fo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jesús Tiamo
Jesús Tiamo (born January 1, 1961) is a Venezuelan coach in Minor League Baseball (MiLB), for the DSL Phillies. He served as the bullpen catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, a position he held from 2009–2017. Tiamo wore uniform number 81. In 2018, he became a coach for the DSL Phillies Red Team. Tiamo graduated from Liceo Pedro María Freite, where he played both volleyball and baseball. Playing career Tiamo spent three seasons in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system, from 1980 to 1981 and in 1983, playing as high as Class A. In 1980, he hit .303 with 19 runs batted in (RBI) for the GCL Pirates. In 1981, Tiamo hit .267 with five home runs, 75 RBI, and 13 stolen bases for the Greenwood Pirates. In 1983, he hit .261 with three home runs and 43 RBI for Greenwood. In total, Tiamo hit .268/.318/.371 with 8 home runs, 20 stolen bases, and 137 RBI in 988 at bats. He played 77 games at catcher and 36 games at first base. Thereafter, Tiamo spent seven seasons with Navegantes del M ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Steve Soliz
Steven Soliz, Jr. (born January 27, 1971) is an American former Major League Baseball bullpen coach for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. From 2003 to 2010, he was the Angels bullpen catcher. He played professionally from 1993 to 2000 in the Cleveland Indians and the San Diego Padres The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penna ... farm systems. References External links Retrosheet: 1971 births Living people Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players Major League Baseball bullpen catchers Major League Baseball bullpen coaches Anaheim Angels coaches Los Angeles Angels coaches Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim coaches Sportspeople from Ventura, California Watertown Indians players Canton-Akron Indians players Kinston Indians players Bakersfield Blaze players Akron ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mark Salas
Mark Bruce Salas (born March 8, 1961) is a former professional catcher who played in Major League Baseball from -. Salas, who is of Mexican descent, also worked for the Chicago White Sox as a bullpen catcher. St. Louis Cardinals Salas was drafted out of Nogales High School in La Puente, California by the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighteenth round of the 1979 Major League Baseball draft. After five seasons in their farm system, Salas debuted with the Cards on June 19, against the Montreal Expos. With one out in the ninth, Salas connected for a pinch hit double. He collected his first career run batted in in his next game against the Chicago Cubs. From there, Salas fell into an 0 for 17 slump, and was demoted to the triple A Louisville Redbirds. After the season, he was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the rule 5 draft. Minnesota Twins Upon his arrival in Minnesota, Salas displaced All-Star catcher Dave Engle behind the plate (Engle was used primarily as a designated hitte ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Román Rodríguez
Román Rodríguez (born March 30, 1966, in San Mateo, Venezuela) is a scout for the Los Angeles Angels. Career Rodríguez was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 1988 by the Pittsburgh Pirates and spent eight years in their minor league system. Upon concluding his playing career, Rodríguez was hired by the Kansas City Royals from 1997 until 2000 as bullpen catcher. In 2001, he took a job in the same role with the Boston Red Sox. In 2002, he became a part of the New York Yankees staff, as a bullpen catcher and assisting with the charting of pitches during games. After the 2016 season, Rodríguez joined the Los Angeles Angels as a scout. Personal life Rodríguez resides in Bradenton, Florida with his wife Carminia, whom he married on Valentine's Day Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. It originated as a Christian feast day honoring one or two early Christian martyrs named Saint Vale ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mark Reed (baseball)
Mark Garland Reed (born April 13, 1986) is an American former professional baseball player and a current hitting coach for the Reno Aces, the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Career Reed was originally drafted in the third round (96th overall) in the 2004 MLB draft by the Chicago Cubs out of Bonita High School. Scouts originally compared Reed to Mike Lieberthal. Reed used an open stance and an aggressive approach at plate, which, when combined with his quick bat, led to hard contact. His older brother, Jeremy Reed, played in the Chicago White Sox organization. After the 2011 season, Reed decided to test the minor league free agent market and joined the Diamondbacks A-Ball affiliate. A hand injury and crowded depth chart at the catcher position slowed things down once again. After an injury to Jeff Motuzas, the Diamondbacks’ longtime bullpen catcher, Reed was called up to serve as the Diamondbacks' bullpen catcher. Reed began working as a hitting coach for the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jamie Pogue
Jamie David Pogue (born August 17, 1977) is a Canadian professional baseball coach who is an assistant coach and bullpen coach for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). Career Pogue began his collegiate career at Old Dominion University, where he played college baseball for the Old Dominion Monarchs. He transferred to Southern Arkansas University for his senior year and played for the Southern Arkansas Muleriders. In his senior year, he was named All-Gulf South Conference. He played minor league baseball for nine seasons. He spent three years in the St. Louis Cardinals' organization, and the other six in independent league baseball. Pogue retired as a player in 2008. Pogue served as the bullpen catcher for the United States national baseball team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. In 2012, Pogue became a bullpen catcher for the Cardinals. In the middle of the 2023 season, he transitioned to an assistant coach and bullpen coach, serving the latter with Julio R ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jason Phillips (catcher)
Jason Lloyd Phillips (born September 27, 1976) is an American professional baseball player and coach. He is the bullpen coach for the Trenton Thunder of the Class AA Eastern League. He played as a catcher and first baseman in Major League Baseball for the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Toronto Blue Jays. Playing career Jason made his major league debut with the New York Mets on September 19, . In , Phillips was tried out at first base and was also a backup catcher to Mike Piazza. That season he broke out, batting .298 with 11 home runs and 58 RBI. In , his offensive numbers dropped sharply, but through the entire season he only made one error. On March 20, , he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii. His offensive production improved slightly, and he recorded a career high in starts and games as a backstop. On January 3, , Phillips signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. He also received an invitation to spring training wh ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jeff Motuzas
Jeffrey R. Motuzas (born October 1, 1971 in Nashua, New Hampshire) is a former baseball bullpen catcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Motuzas attended Nashua High School. He was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 13th round (343rd overall) of the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft The 1990 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft was held in June 1990. The draft placed amateur baseball players onto major league teams. 1,487 players were distributed to 26 teams. The draft consisted of first round selections, supplemental first .... Motuzas played for the Yankees minor league system until he retired from playing in 1996. Motuzas served as the bullpen catcher for the Diamondbacks from 1998–2013. Also of note has been Motuzas participating in the Home Run Derby as a Derby pitcher, a role that is almost always filled by players other than actual pitchers. References * * * * External links 1971 births Living people Arizona Diamondbacks coaches Baseball players fr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mark Merila
Mark Merila (born November 9, 1971) is a scout for the San Diego Padres and a former professional baseball player. Amateur career Merila was born in Litchfield, Minnesota, and attended University of Minnesota. While with the University of Minnesota, he played on the school's baseball team, and was named the Big Ten Conference Baseball Freshman of the Year in 1991 and Big Ten Conference Baseball Player of the Year in 1994. In 1992, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Hyannis Mets of the Cape Cod Baseball League. Merila broke Minnesota single-season and career records for batting average with a .452 average in 1994 and a .393 career average. He was also selected an All-American second baseman in 1994. Near the end of his senior year at Minnesota, Merila was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which was treated with radiation therapy. He was drafted by Major League Baseball teams twice - first, he was taken in the 10th round of the 1993 draft, though he refused to sign. He was nex ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
