| Jason Isringhausen | |
|---|---|
 Isringhausen with the Mets in 2011 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1972-09-07)September 7, 1972 (age 53) Brighton, Illinois, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 17, 1995, for the New York Mets | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 19, 2012, for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 51–55 |
| Earned run average | 3.64 |
| Strikeouts | 830 |
| Saves | 300 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Jason Derik Isringhausen (/ˈɪzrɪŋhaʊzɪn/ born September 7, 1972) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher and coach. He pitched inMajor League Baseball from 1995 through 2012 for theNew York Mets,Oakland Athletics,St. Louis Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays, andLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Isringhausen was, withBill Pulsipher andPaul Wilson, a member of "Generation K", a group of highly regarded Mets prospects. Isringhausen proceeded to have a successful career as arelief pitcher, recording exactly300 career saves. He was a two-timeAll-Star and led theNational League in saves in 2004.
Isringhausen was born on September 7, 1972, inBrighton, Illinois, one of at least three children of Charles and Georgene Isringhausen. Isringhausen playedcatcher atSouthwestern High School before being moved to the outfield atLewis and Clark Community College.[1]
Isringhausen was chosen as adraft-and-follow prospect by theNew York Mets in the 44th round of the1991 Major League Baseball draft. He signed in May 1992.
In the mid-1990s, Isringhausen and fellowminor-league pitchersBill Pulsipher andPaul Wilson—collectively dubbed "Generation K"—were widely hyped as the nextNew York Mets superstars. But 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 1995 season, posting a 9–2 record in 14 starts. But a steady progression of serious injuries, includingtuberculosis, a broken wrist (sustained while punching a dugout trash can), and three major operations on his pitching arm, derailed his progression into the major-league rotation. (He also was caught clandestinely playingsoftball for astrip club while rehabilitating.[2]) He missed most of the 1997 season and the entire 1998 season. When he was finally healthy in 1999, he was moved to the bullpen after only five starts. Still, Mets managerBobby Valentine was reluctant to use Isringhausen in relief, saying that it would be akin to "[using] an Indy car as a taxi."[3] After inconsistent play with the Mets, he was traded to theOakland Athletics at the trading deadline for relieverBilly Taylor.
As a relief pitcher andcloser for the Athletics, Isringhausen's performance improved. Isringhausen established himself as a top closer with Oakland, as the A's made the playoffs in 2000 and 2001. Isringhausen earned his first selection to the All-Star game in 2000.
Isringhausen signed with the Cardinals as afree agent before the 2002 season. During Isringhausen's time with the team, the Cardinals won the Central Division in 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006 withWorld Series appearances in 2004 and 2006, winning the World Series in2006. He registered a league-leading 47saves in2004, tyingLee Smith's franchise record (broken in2015 byTrevor Rosenthal).[4] He was anAll-Star and posted a 2.14earned run average (ERA) with 39 saves in2005 as the Cardinals won 100 games. The saves total was fifth in the NL.
Despite this success, Isringhausen's 2006 season began with twolosses and a blown save in his first five appearances. He struggled with control problems throughout the season, leading to 38walks (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 since 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 rookieAdam Wainwright to become the Cardinals' closer for the playoffs and that team'sWorld Series Championship.
During the 2006 off-season, 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 28,striking out 54, and giving up only fourhome runs in 631⁄3 innings pitched, appearing in 63 games. Battershit .179 against him.
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 theSt. Louis Cardinals had picked up Isringhausen's option for the 2008 season.
On May 10, 2008, managerTony La Russa removed Isringhausen as the club's closer. On July 29, 2008, La Russa announced that Isringhausen had resumed his role as closer.
On August 19, 2008, Isringhausen left the team due to lingering elbowtendinitis and a torn tendon.[5]
On February 20, 2009, Isringhausen signed a minor league deal with theTampa Bay Rays with an invitation to spring training.[6] On April 1, 2009, Isringhausen was added to the 40-man roster of the Rays, and began the season on thedisabled list.[7][8] Once activated, Isringhausen pitched in nine games before it was announced on June 13 that he tore a ligament in the surgically repaired right elbow and would miss the rest of the season to undergo his thirdTommy John surgery.[9]
On July 20, 2010, Isringhausen pitched a bullpen session for theCincinnati Reds. He impressed both pitching coachBryan Price and former Cardinals and current RedsGeneral ManagerWalt Jocketty enough that the Reds prepared a contract offer for Isringhausen.[10]
On July 22, 2010, Isringhausen agreed to terms with a minor league contract with theCincinnati Reds.[11]
Isringhausen signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training for the 2011 season.[12] He began the season in extended spring training, but was promoted to the Mets on April 10.[13] He had a good outing in his first game, against theColorado Rockies. He was called in with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning and retired both batters he faced. His return also made him the only pitcher in major league history to return to the mound after a third Tommy John operation.[14] He was being used as the 8th-inning setup pitcher for the Mets until closerFrancisco Rodriguez was traded to theMilwaukee Brewers. Isringhausen was then moved to the closer's role. On July 19, 2011, he picked up his first save since 2008. On August 15, 2011, Isringhausen became the 23rd pitcher to notch300 career saves, which he did against the San Diego Padres in a 5–4 Mets win.
On February 22, 2012, he signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He eventually appeared in 50 games out of the bullpen for the Angels with a 4.14 ERA.
On February 14, 2013, Isringhausen was named volunteerpitching coach atSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) inEdwardsville, Illinois, where he resides during the offseason. While a member of the staff at SIUE, Isringhausen denied through his agent that he was retiring from Major League Baseball, and was still looking for pitching jobs.[15][16]
· Baseball Almanac
