| Joe Beimel | |
|---|---|
 Beimel with the Seattle Mariners in 2015 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1977-04-19)April 19, 1977 (age 48) St. Marys, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 8, 2001, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 3, 2015, for the Seattle Mariners | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 29–34 |
| Earned run average | 4.06 |
| Strikeouts | 379 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Joseph Ronald Beimel (pronounced "BUY mul") (born April 19, 1977) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for thePittsburgh Pirates,Minnesota Twins,Tampa Bay Devil Rays,Los Angeles Dodgers,Washington Nationals,Seattle Mariners, andColorado Rockies.
Beimel attendedSt. Marys Area High School and was a letterman in football, wrestling, basketball, and baseball. He played two seasons of junior college baseball atAllegany College of Maryland inCumberland, Maryland and one season atDuquesne University inPittsburgh. Six former Allegany College players have made it to Major League Baseball. Beimel was the fifth Major League Baseball player to come out of the Allegany College of Maryland program. The five other Allegany Trojans to make the big leagues wereJohn Kruk,Stan Belinda,Steve Kline,Scott Seabol and Scott Patterson. At Allegany, Beimel played for Junior College Hall of Fame Coach Steve Bazarnic. During Beimel's years at Allegany the Trojans advanced to the JuniorCollege World Series both seasons. At Duquesne University he was the team leader in wins and complete games and was second on the staff in strikeouts and ERA.[1]
Beimel was drafted by theTexas Rangers in the 26th round of the1996 Draft after his freshman year in college but chose to remain in school. He was later selected in the 18th round of the1998 Major League Baseball draft by thePittsburgh Pirates, after his junior year, and signed with the Pirates on June 5, 1998. Beimel is the first pitcher drafted by the Pirates out of thePittsburgh-based Duquesne University; he is the only such pitcher to have made it to the Major Leagues.
Beimel's minor league stops in the Pirates organization included their development levelErie SeaWolves (1998, 1–4, 6.32, 6 starts), the Single-AHickory Crawdads (1999, 5–11, 4.43, 22 starts), the High-ALynchburg Hillcats (2000, 10–6, 3.36, 18 starts, 2 complete games), and the Double-AAltoona Curve (1-6, 4.16, 10 starts, 1 complete game).
After a strong spring, Beimel made the Pirates' major league roster at the start of the 2001 season. He made his major league debut as the starting pitcher on April 8, 2001, against theHouston Astros, pitching five innings, allowing two runs, and recording his first career victory. Beimel appeared as both a starter and a reliever that season, finishing with a record of 7–11, ERA of 5.23 in 42 appearances, 15 of them as a starter.
Beimel made another eight starts on the 2002 squad but was primarily used as a relief pitcher thereafter. After finishing both the 2002 and 2003 seasons in the Pirates bullpen as an average middle reliever, the Pirates released him before the start of the2004 season.
Beimel was subsequently signed as a free agent by theMinnesota Twins on April 11, 2004. He spent the bulk of the season with Minnesota's Triple-A affiliate, theRochester Red Wings, where he had a mediocre season (2-4, 6.97, in 49 appearances). Beimel made just three relief appearances for the Twins as a September call-up and then was released after the season.
Beimel was signed as a free agent by theTampa Bay Devil Rays on November 5, 2004, and spent most of the2005 season with their Triple-A affiliate, theDurham Bulls, going 1–2 with a 3.93ERA in 48 games. He made several trips to the big leagues to pitch for the Devil Rays during the season, making seven appearances with an ERA of 3.27.
In 2006, Beimel was signed by theLos Angeles Dodgers and became a valuable member of their relief corps, with a 2.96 ERA in 62 appearances, primarily as a late inning left-handed specialist. However, he was also effective enough against right-handed batters to be used as both a set-up man and emergency closer, and proved remarkably effective when put into games to work the Dodgers out of jams. Beimel wore #97 for the Dodgers, which at the time was the highest number ever used by a Dodger, and he remains the only player in MLB history to wear the number. The number represents the year of his first child's birth.[2]
His successful season ended on a down note; right before2006 divisional series between the Dodgers andNew York Mets began, Beimel cut his hand on glass at a bar in New York. Due to his injury, Beimel was left off the series roster.[3] At first he claimed that it happened in his hotel room before divulging the truth after the Dodgers lost to the Mets three games to none.[4] Beimel was completely sober for 15 months following the incident and now drinks only occasionally.[5]
During the 2007 season, Beimel set a record for the Dodgers by making 83 appearances, the most by a left-handed pitcher in the Dodgers' history.
During his first two years with the Dodgers, Beimel became known for his ability to getBarry Bonds out. Beimel held Bonds to 1–16 at the plate, with the one hit being a solo home run. He also walked Bonds only three times.
After the arrival of new managerJoe Torre, Beimel was forced to cut his hair,[6][7] a situation similar to oneStump Merrill had with Torre's successor as Dodger manager,Don Mattingly, when Merrill managed Mattingly with theNew York Yankees.[8][9]
Joe gained a cult following in 2008 in a series of fan-madeYouTube videos.[10] When the Dodgers conducted their second annual online fan vote duringSpring Training to determine what player should be immortalized as part of the team'sbobblehead promotions, Beimel took home the honors for 2008 after a strong Internet turnout, including a campaign that was orchestrated by his parents, Ron and Marge Beimel.[11]
On March 18, 2009, Beimel and theWashington Nationals agreed to a one-year $2 million deal; he became their eighth-inning set up man.[12]
On July 31, 2009, Beimel was traded by the Nationals to theColorado Rockies in exchange forRyan Mattheus and Robinson Fabian.[13]
On March 22, 2010, Beimel re-signed with the Rockies organization on a minor league contract, and was brought up to the majors on April 15.
His entrance song was "God's Gonna Cut You Down" byJohnny Cash.
On January 27, 2011, thePittsburgh Pirates signed Beimel to a minor league contract. He began the season on the disabled list due to soreness in his forearm and elbow, which he initially experienced during spring training. Beimel spent the first weeks of season on rehab assignments with the Advance-ABradenton Marauders and Triple-AIndianapolis Indians. The Pirates activated Beimel from the disabled list on April 15.[14] On May 28, Beimel was placed on the 15-day disabled list, due to the same injury which had put him on the shelf to begin the season.Daniel Moskos was recalled to take his place.[15] He was designated for assignment on August 23,[16] and released a week later.[17]
On February 6, 2012, Beimel signed a minor league deal with theTexas Rangers.[18] He was released by the Rangers prior to the start of the season on March 26.[19] Beimel underwentTommy John surgery on May 1, ruling him out for the season.[20]
Beimel signed a minor league contract with theSeattle Mariners on January 24, 2014.[21] In his first appearance with Seattle, Beimel recorded an out without throwing a pitch, pickingDavid Freese off of first base.[22] He enjoyed a successful 2014 campaign, posting a 2.20 ERA in 56 relief appearances.
Beimel signed a $600,000 contract with theTexas Rangers on March 6, 2015.[23] He struggled through spring training, allowing 11 earned runs in three innings pitched. On March 23, Beimel was released.[24] Had he been promoted to the major league level, Beimel's salary would have risen to $1.5 million.[25] Instead, he was paid $147,541.[26]
Beimel signed a minor league contract to return to the Mariners organization on April 2, 2015.[27] On May 4, the Mariners selected Beimel's contract, adding him to their active roster.[28] In 53 appearances for Seattle, he compiled a 3.99 ERA with 22 strikeouts across47+1⁄3 innings pitched.
On May 12, 2015, Beimel agreed to a minor league contract with theMiami Marlins organization. However, on May 17 it was reported that Miami had "decided to pass" on the deal, leaving Beimel in free agency.[29]
Beimel signed a minor league contract with theKansas City Royals on June 6, 2016.[30] In 12 games for the Triple-AOmaha Storm Chasers, he posted a 4.30 ERA with 6 strikeouts across14+2⁄3 innings pitched. Beimel was released by the Royals organization on July 15.[31]
On March 22, 2017, Beimel signed with theNew Britain Bees of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball. Beimel announced his retirement from professional baseball on June 25, after appearing in 22 games for the Bees.[32]
On June 11, 2021, Beimel made his comeback to organized baseball at the age of 44 after signing a minor league contract with theSan Diego Padres organization.[33] In 31 appearances split between the Double-ASan Antonio Missions and Triple-AEl Paso Chihuahuas, he accumulated a 1-2 record and 3.86 ERA with 25 strikeouts and 2 saves over 35 innings of work. Beimel elected free agency following the season on November 7.[34]
Beimel is aDemocrat.[35] He has two children with his first wife Emily, and one child with his second wife Carley.[2] He wears #97 to represent the year of his first child Drew's birth.[36]
· Baseball Almanac