| Justin Speier | |
|---|---|
 Speier,Nicholls Colonels retired numbers | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1973-11-06)November 6, 1973 (age 52) Walnut Creek, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 27, 1998, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 7, 2009, for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 35–33 |
| Earned run average | 4.11 |
| Strikeouts | 588 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Justin James Speier (born November 6, 1973) is an American former professionalbaseballrelief pitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) from 1998 to 2009 for theChicago Cubs,Florida Marlins,Atlanta Braves,Cleveland Indians,Colorado Rockies,Toronto Blue Jays, andLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
He attendedBrophy College Preparatory inPhoenix, Arizona. Upon graduation from Brophy Prep, Speier attended theUniversity of San Francisco where he playedcatcher for the Dons. He also attendedNicholls State University.
Speier served in theUnited States Marine Corps Reserve.
He is the son of former major league player and coachChris Speier and the cousin ofGabe Speier, a pitcher currently with theSeattle Mariners.
Speier threw a four-seamfastball from an unusual angle which could reach anywhere between 89 and 94 miles per hour. His success tended to be directly proportional to his fastball velocity, because the fastball set up his best strikeout pitch – a baffling, dartingforkball, which caused great difficulty for hitters because of his unorthodox arm slot. Speier also threw a two-seamer and aslider.
After being chosen in the 55th round by theChicago Cubs in the1995 Major League Baseball draft, Speier made it to the big leagues in1998.
He appeared in one game for the Cubs before he was dealt with two other teammates to theFlorida Marlins. He pitched 18 games in Florida and by the time next season arrived was coming out of thebullpen for theAtlanta Braves.[1] For the season, he appeared in 19 games. On November 23,1999, Speier was claimed off waivers by theCleveland Indians.[2]
While with the Indians in2000, Speier went 5-2 during the regular season which was the first time he had everwon a game in the major leagues.
He started the2001 season back with Cleveland, winning his first two decisions of the season before he was traded to theNew York Mets and just 10 days later without appearing in a game for the Mets, claimed off waivers by theColorado Rockies.[3] With the Rockies, Speier recorded a 4–3 record in 42 games for the team. Between Cleveland & Colorado, Speier finished with an overall record of 6–3 in 76.2 innings pitched.
In 2002, Speier was 5–1 with a 4.33 ERA.
In 2003, he appeared in a career high 72 games. His overall win–loss record with Colorado was 12–5 while picking up his first 10 big leaguesaves. He was then traded to theToronto Blue Jays on December 14,2003, in a trade involving three teams.
During his first season with the Blue Jays, he finished the season with an above average 3.91 ERA, while posting a 3–8 record and adding 7 more saves to his career total.
In2005, his ERA went down from 3.91 in his first year with Toronto to 2.57. He also went 3-2 and appeared in 66 games, which was three more appearances than he had in 2004.
During the2006 season, Speier compiled a 2–0 record, with a 2.96 ERA and 25holds. Speier become afree agent after the 2006 season, and on November 19, 2006, Speier signed a four-year contract worth $18 million with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.[4][5]
In his first year with the Angels, Speier had an ERA of 2.88 in 51 games.
In 2008, Speier had a career worst, sporting a record of 2–8 with a 5.03 ERA in 62 games. In 2009, his ERA went higher, finishing at 5.18 in 41 games.
Speier was then released on August 11, 2009.[6]
On January 28, 2010, Speier signed a minor league contract with theColorado Rockies with an invitation to spring training.[7] He was released on April 3 after not making the team.[8] Upon his release, he retired from baseball at the age of 36.