Jason Isringhausen
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| St. Louis Cardinals — No. 44 | |
| Closing Pitcher | |
| Born: September 7, 1972 Brighton, Illinois |
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| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
| July 17, 1995 for the New York Mets | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through May 12, 2008) |
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| Win-Loss | 45-48 |
| Earned Run Average | 3.58 |
| Strikeouts | 724 |
| Saves | 292 |
| Teams | |
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Jason Derik Isringhausen (born September 7, 1972 in Brighton, Illinois) is a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball, and closer for the St. Louis Cardinals.
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[edit] Pro career
[edit] 1990s
In the mid-1990s Isringhausen, along with pitchers Bill Pulsipher and Paul Wilson were all widely hyped as the next generation of New York Mets' superstars, despite all being in the minor leagues. Isringhausen played with the AAA Norfolk Tides. The group received considerable press attention and the nickname "Generation K". However, injuries took their toll and 1995 was the first year that all three started the season healthy.
Isringhausen began his career as a starter for the Mets near the end of the season, posting a 9-2 record in 14 starts. But a steady progression of serious injuries- tuberculosis, a broken wrist (sustained while punching a dugout trash can) and three major operations on his pitching arm derailed his progression into a major-league rotation.
Consequently, he was forced to miss most of the 1997 season, as well as the entire 1998 season. When he was finally healthy in 1999, he was moved to the bullpen after only five starts. After inconsistent play with the Mets, he was infamously traded to the Oakland Athletics at the trading deadline for reliever Billy Taylor. Mets manager Bobby Valentine was reluctant to use Isringhausen in relief, saying that it would be akin to "[using] an Indy car as a taxi."
[edit] 2000s
As a relief pitcher and closer for the Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals, Isringhausen's performance improved. After the A's made the playoffs in 2000 and 2001, Isringhausen left the team to sign with the Cardinals as a free agent before the 2002 season. Since then, the Cardinals have won the Central Division in 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006 with World Series appearances in 2004 and 2006, winning it all in 2006. He had a league-leading 47 saves in 2004 and had a second-best 2.14 ERA in 2005.
However, the 2006 season was a rough one for Isringhausen. He began the season with two losses and a blown save in his first five appearances. He endured control problems throughout the season which led to 38 walks (the most given up by Isringhausen in a season since he became a closer) and a 3.55 ERA, which was his highest ERA as a closer besides the 2000 season in which his ERA was 3.78. Isringhausen finished the season with a 4-8 record and 33 saves along with 10 blown saves. He missed the entire 2006 playoffs due to a hip injury, allowing rookie Adam Wainwright to become the Cardinals' closer for the playoffs and led the Cardinals to their 10th World Series Championship.
During the 2006 offseason Isringhausen underwent his second hip surgery in two years. With Wainwright slotted into the rotation, Isringhausen was returned to the closer role to begin 2007. Isringhausen responded by notching career numbers in 2007, posting a 4-0 record, 2.48 ERA, and 32 saves while walking only 28, striking out 54, and giving up 4 home runs in 63.1 innings pitched, appearing in 63 games. Batters hit .179 against him.
For his career, Isringhausen is 45-46 with a 3.51 ERA and 289 saves, with batters hitting only .237 against him. In his brief career as a starter, he threw three complete games and one shutout.
On September 25, 2007, Isringhausen was named as one of 10 finalists for the "DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Year Award"; and on October 5, 2007 it was announced the St. Louis Cardinals had picked up Isringhausen's option for the 2008 season.
On May 10, 2008, manager Tony La Russa removed Isringhausen as the club's closer.
[edit] See also
- List of Major League Baseball saves champions
- Pitchers who have struck out three batters on nine pitches
- List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders
[edit] External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
- [1] - Cards Profile
- Jason Isringhausen page at stlcardinals.scout.com
| Preceded by Éric Gagné |
National League Saves Champion 2004 (with Armando Benitez) |
Succeeded by Chad Cordero |
