| Brad Ziegler | |
|---|---|
 Ziegler with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2014 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1979-10-10)October 10, 1979 (age 46) Pratt, Kansas, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 31, 2008, for the Oakland Athletics | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 29, 2018, for the Arizona Diamondbacks | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 37–38 |
| Earned run average | 2.75 |
| Strikeouts | 479 |
| Saves | 105 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Brad Gregory Ziegler (born October 10, 1979) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He pitched inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theOakland Athletics,Arizona Diamondbacks,Boston Red Sox, andMiami Marlins.[1] Ziegler was one of the few Major League pitchers to throw with a submarine delivery.
Ziegler was born inPratt, Kansas, but his family moved toSpringfield, Illinois, when he was six months old.[2] Ziegler attended Odessa High School inOdessa, Missouri. He then enrolled atSouthwest Missouri State University, where he playedcollege baseball for theSouthwest Missouri State Bears.[3] In 2001, he playedcollegiate summer baseball for theChatham A's of theCape Cod Baseball League, and returned in 2002 to play with the league'sHarwich Mariners where he was named a league all-star.[4][5][6][7] In 2003, Ziegler helped lead the Bears to theCollege World Series.[8]
TheOakland Athletics selected Ziegler in the 31st round, with the 938th overall selection, of the2002 MLB draft, but he returned to Missouri State for his senior year.[2] Upon graduating, thePhiladelphia Phillies selected him in the 20th round, with the 595th overall selection, of the2003 MLB draft.[9] He only threw six innings for theshort seasonBatavia Muckdogs due to shouldertendinitis. The Phillies released him a week before the start of the 2004 season because they felt he was not good enough to pitch in Low-A and too old to return to short season ball.[10]
Ziegler signed with theSchaumburg Flyers of theindependentNorthern League. After making four starts for Schaumburg, the Athletics purchased his contract.[9] They assigned him to theModesto Athletics of theClass A-AdvancedCalifornia League, pitching in theirstarting rotation.[11] After a solid season helping Modesto to the league playoffs, while pitching in his first game in the playoffs, Ziegler was hit in the head by aline drive off the bat ofFred Lewis, playing for theSan Jose Giants at the time. Ziegler suffered a fracture of the skull,[2] but recovered in time to pitch again in 2005, earning a promotion to the Double-AMidland RockHounds of theTexas League.[11]
Continuing to start through the 2006 season, Ziegler moved further up the organizational ladder and pitched in a few games for theSacramento River Cats of theTriple-APacific Coast League, though he struggled in his brief time there.[11]
Before the start of the 2007 season, Ziegler was approached byRon Romanick, the minor league pitching coordinator for the Athletics, about converting to asidearm/submarine style of pitching. He agreed to the change and spent the 2007 season in both Midland and Sacramento as arelief pitcher, improving the more he became accustomed to the change.[9]
This led to a strong start to the 2008 season inSacramento[11] prior to joining the major league club, though he suffered a second fracture of the skull in January during a workout following a youth camp he was assisting with. A thrown baseball deflected off another glove, hitting him in the forehead. Again, Ziegler recovered with no negative long-term effects.
Ziegler received his first call-up to MLB on May 30, 2008, when the Athletics purchased his contract from the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats.[1] In 19 relief appearances with the River Cats before his promotion, Ziegler was 2–0 with a 0.37earned run average (ERA). He had allowed just oneearned run on 15hits in 24.1 innings, whilestriking out 20. He earned his first MLB win on June 8 against theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
On July 22, Ziegler set anAmerican League record for consecutive scoreless innings to start an MLB career (23) after pitching two innings against theTampa Bay Rays.[12] The previousAmerican League mark was 22 innings, set byDave Ferriss of theBoston Red Sox in 1945. After pitching two further scoreless innings against theTexas Rangers, Ziegler then broke theMajor League record of 25 innings on July 27, which had been held byGeorge McQuillan of thePhiladelphia Phillies since 1907.[13]
Ziegler picked up his first MLB careersave and became the Athletics new closer on August 8 against theDetroit Tigers.[14] In earning his second on August 12 against theTampa Bay Rays, he established a new Oakland record for consecutive scoreless innings at any point in a career with 38, passing starting pitcherMike Torrez, who reached 37 in 1976.[15]
Ziegler's streak came to an end at 39 innings when the Tampa Bay Rays scored a run against him in the ninth inning on August 14.Akinori Iwamura scored on a double byB.J. Upton, which was also the first extra base hit Ziegler had allowed in the Majors. He had tiedAl Benton after a scoreless eighth inning, finishing at 39. Benton did it in 1949 with theCleveland Indians, though he allowed runs during that stretch as a starter. Ziegler also tiedChristy Mathewson for second place for scoreless innings by a rookie. Mathewson's streak came in 1901 as a member of theNew York Giants.Grover Cleveland Alexander holds the record for a rookie, throwing 41 consecutive scoreless innings in 1911 with thePhiladelphia Phillies.
On July 31, 2011, the Athletics traded Ziegler to theArizona Diamondbacks forBrandon Allen andJordan Norberto.[16] On December 20, 2013, the Diamondbacks reported they had reached an agreement for a two-year contract with Ziegler, worth $10.5 million. He earned $4.5 million for the 2014 season and $5 million for the 2015 season, with a $5.5 million option for 2016, or $1 million buyout.[17] On November 3, 2015, the Diamondbacks exercised Ziegler's 2016 option.[18]
On July 9, 2016, the Diamondbacks traded Ziegler to theBoston Red Sox forLuis Alejandro Basabe and José Almonte.[19] In 33 appearances for Boston, Ziegler posted a 1.52 ERA, 31 strikeouts, and 11 walks in29+2⁄3 innings.
On December 23, 2016, Ziegler signed a two-year, $16 million contract with theMiami Marlins.[20] In 2017, he posted a 4.79 ERA, 26 strikeouts and 16 walks in 47 innings.
On July 31, 2018, Ziegler was traded back to the Diamondbacks in exchange forTommy Eveld.[21] He finished the 2018 season leading all pitchers with 82 appearances.
After the season ended, on October 10, 2018, Ziegler announced his retirement from baseball.[22]
Ziegler and his wife, Kristen, have two children, and live inKansas City, Kansas.[23]
Ziegler is an avid collector ofbaseball cards.[24]
In 2011, Ziegler created a foundation,Pastime for Patriots Foundation[25] which treatsUnited States Military members and their families to sporting event tickets, among other things. He was awarded theBob Feller Act of Valor Award in 2016 for his work with military members and their families.[26]
