| Randy Myers | |
|---|---|
 Myers in 1986 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1962-09-19)September 19, 1962 (age 62) Vancouver, Washington, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| October 6, 1985, for the New York Mets | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 25, 1998, for the San Diego Padres | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 44–63 |
| Earned run average | 3.19 |
| Strikeouts | 884 |
| Saves | 347 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Randall Kirk Myers (born September 19, 1962) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher who played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theNew York Mets,Cincinnati Reds,San Diego Padres,Chicago Cubs,Baltimore Orioles, andToronto Blue Jays, between1985 and1998. He batted and threw left-handed.
Randy Myers grew up inVancouver, Washington. His father was an auto mechanic and a machinist.[1] He is a graduate ofEvergreen High School andClark College. Myers was drafted in the first round (ninth overall) of the 1982 amateur draft.[2]
Myers began his Major League career with theNew York Mets in 1985 under the management ofDavey Johnson, and was a member of the Mets 1986 World Series-winning team (although he did not appear on the Mets' postseason roster, he was given a World Series ring nine years later, in 1995[3]). Myers became a closer in 1988 as he platooned withRoger McDowell afterJesse Orosco left for theLos Angeles Dodgers.
Myers was traded to the Reds in 1990 for closerJohn Franco, and became one of the league's elite closers and the most successful member of theNasty Boys trio, which also includedRob Dibble andNorm Charlton, while being selected as anAll-Star in 1990. In 1990, Myers won his second World Series ring as the Reds swept theOakland Athletics. In 1991, the Reds experimented with Myers as a starter, a move that proved highly unsuccessful as he posted a record of 6 wins and 13 losses.[2]
In 1992, Myers became the closer for the Padres. After only one season in San Diego, Myers was a Cub in 1993 where he posted his best statistical season with a thenNational League record 53 saves. In a September 28, 1995 game vs. the Astros, Myers was attacked on the field by a fan named John Murray atWrigley Field after giving up a two-run, eighth inning home run toJames Mouton that put the Astros up 9–7. Fearing that Murray was armed, Myers used his martial arts training to bring Murray to the ground, then held him down until security guards could get him. The Cubs rallied to win 12–11 in 10 innings.[4][5] In 1994 and 1995, Myers earned his second and third All-Star selections. After the 1995 season, Myers became a member of the Orioles where he had two more solid seasons, highlighted by an All-Star selection in 1997, when he saved 45 games. Myers had 28 saves for the Blue Jays in his final season, 1998, before being traded back to the Padres after being claimed on waivers. Though he was under contract for both 1999 and 2000, he did not pitch in the Major Leagues after 1998.
In a 14-year Major League career, Myers compiled a 3.19ERA, 347 saves, 44 wins, 63 losses and struck out 884 batters in884+2⁄3 innings.
In 2000, Myers earned asalary of US$6,916,667.00 while unable to pitch due to a damagedshoulder. Most of his 1999 and 2000 seasons were spent receiving treatment after undergoingrotator cuff surgery in 1999; his injury resulted in a legal dispute between the Padres and their insurance carrier after the carrier denied an $8 million claim due to Myers' inability to play.[6]
The Padres' 1998 waiver claim of Myers is considered one of the biggest blunders in the history of thewaiver wire. The Padres already had an established closer inTrevor Hoffman, but placed a waiver claim on Myers in order to prevent him from going to the rivalAtlanta Braves. They expected the Blue Jays to take Myers off waivers, but the Blue Jays were happy to part with Myers and his remaining contract.[7]
In October 1990, Myers was featured on the 18-ounce box ofWheatiesbreakfast cereal along with fellowCincinnati Reds1990 World Series championsEric Davis,José Rijo,Barry Larkin,Chris Sabo, andHal Morris.[8]
For many years during his pro baseball career he assisted in coaching the women's basketball team at his alma mater, Clark Community College. He is widely involved in charities in Vancouver through his Randy Myers Foundation. He also has a lifelong involvement in martial arts.[1]
Clark College did not field a baseball team after the 1992 season, but by 2011, thanks in large part of Myers' efforts fundraising and spearheading the program's revival, Clark again started playing baseball in 2011.[9]
