| Charlie Haeger | |
|---|---|
 Haeger with the San Diego Padres | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1983-09-19)September 19, 1983 Livonia, Michigan, U.S. | |
| Died: October 3, 2020(2020-10-03) (aged 37) Grand Canyon,Arizona, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 10, 2006, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 24, 2010, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 2–7 |
| Earned run average | 6.40 |
| Strikeouts | 69 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Charles Wallis Haeger (September 19, 1983 – October 3, 2020) was an American professionalbaseball player. He was one of the fewknuckleballpitchers inMajor League Baseball (MLB) during his career.[1] He played in MLB for theChicago White Sox,San Diego Padres andLos Angeles Dodgers. He was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot at theGrand Canyon on October 3, 2020, shortly after the suspected murder of his ex-girlfriend.[2]
Haeger attendedDetroit Catholic Central High School inRedford, Michigan (now located inNovi).[3] He was named to the All-Catholic team as a senior in 2001, after pitching to a 7–2win–loss record with a 1.88earned run average (ERA) and 101strikeouts. He alsobatted .354 with 34runs batted in (RBIs). He was the winning pitcher in the State Championship game as a sophomore.[4]
TheChicago White Sox selected Haeger in the 25th round of the2001 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut with theAZL White Sox. He briefly retired to pursue a career ingolf following the 2002 season, but returned in 2004.[5] While in the minor leagues, he learned how to throw aknuckleball.[6]
Haeger made his major league debut May 10, 2006, in astart against theLos Angeles Angels. He suffered the loss after allowing six runs on five hits in 41⁄3 innings.[5] Haeger appeared in seven games for the White Sox, with a record of 1–1.[7] He spent most of the season with theCharlotte Knights, and was the starting pitcher in theInternational League All-Star game.[8][9]
On July 22, 2007, White Sox pitcherJon Garland started againstBoston Red Sox knuckleball pitcherTim Wakefield. Garland was relieved by Haeger in the fifth inning, marking the first time in recent years that two knuckleballers faced each other in the same game. Wakefield got the victory as the Red Sox won, 8–5.[10]
On September 10, 2008, Haeger was claimed off waivers by theSan Diego Padres. He made four appearances for the Padres, and was non-tendered following the season, making him afree agent.[11]
In January 2009, Haeger signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Dodgers. He was assigned to the AAAAlbuquerque Isotopes, and pitched well enough in the first half of the season to earn a spot on thePacific Coast League All-Star team.[12] The Dodgers called him up on August 12, and he made his team debut as the starting pitcher on August 17 against theSt. Louis Cardinals. He appeared in six games for the Dodgers, three as a starter, and finished 1–1 with a 3.32 ERA.[13]
Haeger began the 2010 season as the 5th starter in the Dodgers rotation. He accumulated a 0–4 record and an 8.40 ERA in nine appearances, six of them starts, and wasdesignated for assignment on June 25.[14][13] After clearing waivers, he was reassigned to Albuquerque.[15] He made 10 starts for the Isotopes after his return, finishing 4–3 with a 5.70 ERA.[9]
Haeger signed a minor league contract with theSeattle Mariners in November 2010, and was given an invitation to spring training. He went 2–2 with a 7.74 ERA in 9 starts for theTacoma Rainiers before he was released on July 15.[16]
On July 23, 2011, Haeger signed a minor league contract with theBoston Red Sox.[17] He made eight starts for the AAPortland Sea Dogs, and was 4–1 with a 3.24 ERA.[18] He re-signed with the Red Sox after the season, but he suffered an elbow injury in a long-toss session duringspring training. Haeger underwentTommy John surgery and missed the entire 2012 season.[19] He returned to the Red Sox organization in 2013, pitching for thePawtucket Red Sox.[20]
Haeger was a pitching coach forMadonna University inLivonia, Michigan in 2014.[21]
Haeger was a minor league pitching coordinator for theTampa Bay Rays organization from 2016 to 2018 and was named as the pitching coach for theChicago Cubs' AA minor-league team, theTennessee Smokies in 2020 but never served in the role as theMinor League Baseball season was cancelled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[22]
On October 3, 2020, Haeger, 37, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on atrail along the South Rim of theGrand Canyon. He was a suspect in the shooting death of his 34-year-old ex-girlfriend Danielle Breed the previous day inScottsdale, Arizona.[2][23]
Media related toCharlie Haeger at Wikimedia Commons