Jesse Crain

Jesse Alan Crain (born July 5, 1981) is a Canadian former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox.

High school and college

Crain was born in Toronto, Ontario and attended Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado, where he played baseball, basketball, and football. He was named 1999 All-State and Colorado High School Player of the Year. He was a 2001 graduate of San Jacinto Junior College in Texas, where he was an All-Conference shortstop. In 2002, he transferred to the University of Houston and was named to the all-conference team as a shortstop and relief pitcher, the all-conference tournament team as a shortstop, and the conference all-academic team. He was named first team All-America by ''Baseball America'' and ''Baseball Weekly'' and second team All-America by the ABCA.

Minor leagues

Crain was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the second round (61st overall) of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut that year with the Rookie-level Elizabethton Twins, going 2–1 with two saves and an ERA of 0.57 in nine relief appearances. Crain was later promoted to the Single-A Quad Cities River Bandits, where he went 1–1 with one save and a 1.50 ERA in nine relief appearances. In 18 combined appearances, he went 3–2 with three saves and an 0.98 ERA. In 2003, he managed to pitch at all three levels in the minor leagues, going 6–3 with 19 saves and a 1.93 ERA in 55 relief appearances. In 2004, Crain pitched with the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings and went 3–2 with 19 saves and a 2.49 ERA in 41 relief appearances before being called up by the Twins.

Major leagues

Minnesota Twins

Crain was called up by the Twins on August 1, 2004. He spent the remainder of the season in the majors, going 3–0 with a 2.00 ERA in 22 relief appearances. In 2005, Crain made the major league roster out of spring training. Starting the season 8–0, he set a record for most consecutive wins in relief to start a career.

On May 17, 2007, Crain was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a torn rotator cuff and labrum. He missed the rest of the season after undergoing surgery.

Crain returned to the team in 2008. He stepped up, along with Craig Breslow, to fill the eighth-inning setup role formerly occupied by Pat Neshek, who was placed on the 60-day disabled list on May 9 with an acute tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm. Crain went 5–4 with a 3.59 ERA in 66 games.

On April 20, 2009, Crain was placed on the disabled list with a sore right shoulder. He was activated on May 3. In 56 relief appearances, Crain went 7–4 with a 4.70 ERA. He fared better in 2010, going 1–1 with one save and a 3.04 ERA in 71 relief appearances.

Chicago White Sox

On December 20, 2010, Crain signed a three-year, $13 million contract with the Chicago White Sox.

Crain was used as the setup man for 2013. From April 17 to June 22, Crain pitched 29 straight scoreless appearances, a franchise record. On July 3, Crain was placed on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain. In 38 games with Chicago, Crain went 2–3 with 19 holds and a 0.74 ERA, striking out 46 in 36.2 innings. Crain was elected to the All-Star Game, but since he was injured, he was replaced by Justin Masterson.

Tampa Bay Rays

Crain was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays on July 29, 2013, for future considerations. Crain was activated off the disabled list on September 23, but he did not appear in the regular or post season. On October 16, the compensation for the White Sox in the trade was named as minor-leaguers Sean Bierman and Ben Kline.

Houston Astros

On December 31, 2013, Crain agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Houston Astros. He was placed on the 60-day DL on March 21 while recovering from offseason surgery on his right biceps. He did not play a single game for the Astros.

Second stint with the White Sox

The White Sox signed Crain to a minor league contract on January 22, 2015.

World Baseball Classic

Crain was selected to represent Canada at the World Baseball Classic. In the first game of the 2006 edition of the Classic, Crain came into the game in the 9th inning. He got the save as Canada beat the South Africans 11–8.

In the 2009 World Baseball Classic, Crain struck out all four batters he faced in the eighth and ninth innings. Canada ended up losing the game to Italy.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crain, Jesse
1981 births
Living people
American League All-Stars
Arizona League White Sox players
Baseball players from Toronto
Canadian expatriate baseball players in the United States
Charlotte Knights players
Chicago White Sox players
Elizabethton Twins players
Fort Myers Miracle players
Grand Canyon Rafters players
Houston Cougars baseball players
Major League Baseball pitchers
Major League Baseball players from Canada
Minnesota Twins players
New Britain Rock Cats players
Quad Cities River Bandits players
Rochester Red Wings players
Sportspeople from Boulder, Colorado
Team USA players
World Baseball Classic players of Canada
2006 World Baseball Classic players
2009 World Baseball Classic players