John Wetteland

Infobox MLB retired
name=John Wetteland
position=Closer


bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1966|8|21
San Mateo, California
debutdate=May 31
debutyear=by|1989
debutteam=Los Angeles Dodgers
finaldate=September 20
finalyear=by|2000
finalteam=Texas Rangers
stat1label=Games pitched
stat1value=618
stat2label=Earned run average
stat2value=2.97
stat3label=Saves
stat3value=330
teams=
* Los Angeles Dodgers (by|1989-by|1991)
* Montreal Expos (by|1992-by|1994)
* New York Yankees (by|1995-by|1996)
* Texas Rangers (by|1997-by|2000)
highlights=
* 3x All-Star selection (1996, 1998, 1999)
* World Series champion (1996)
* 1996 World Series MVP
* 1996 AL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year

John Karl Wetteland (born August 21, 1966 in San Mateo, California) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, who pitched as a closer for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers.

Wetteland was signed by the Dodgers as their second choice in the June 1985 amateur draft. He was later claimed by the Detroit Tigers in December 1987 as a Rule 5 draft pick, but was soon returned to the Dodgers. While playing in the Pacific Coast League, he earned notice by earning 20 saves in 20 chances. He made his major league debut on May 31 1989. After struggling with his first five starts in 1990, Wetteland asked to be switched to the bullpen, and became a full-time closer in 1992.

After the 1991 season, Wetteland was traded twice; first to the Cincinnati Reds for Eric Davis, and then to the Expos for Dave Martinez. On April 5, 1995 he was traded to the Yankees for Fernando Seguignol.

During the 1996 season, he led the American League in saves, with 43, and appeared in the All-Star Game. Wetteland was given the World Series MVP Award that year, when he led the Yankees to the World Championship. His four saves during the Series tied the record for the most saves in a single postseason series, and his seven saves in the full postseason were the most ever. He was awarded with the 1996 Rolaids Relief Man Award.

He was signed by the Texas Rangers as a free agent on December 16, 1996, signing a 4-year contract worth $23 million. Before the 1999 season, Wetteland underwent elbow surgery. Although this robbed him of some of his fastball speed, it allowed him to expand his repertoire to include a slider, curveball, and change-up. Wetteland was again named to the All-Star team for the 1999 season, where he pitched a scoreless 9th inning, and became the first Rangers pitcher to earn an All-Star save. His 43 saves that year set a new Rangers record. His final game was on September 20, 2000, and he retired after his Rangers contract expired during the 2000 offseason.

Wetteland was awarded the Rolaids Reliever of the Decade, and earned the most saves of any pitcher during the 1990s, and the Rangers all-time saves leader. His final win/loss percentage was .516, with 48 wins and 45 losses.

In 2005, Wetteland was inducted into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame.

Wetteland, met his wife, Michele, while playing for the AA San Antonio Missions. They, along with their four children, live in Texas. He was known for wearing the same baseball cap throughout the entire season.

On January 27, by|2006, John was hired to be the bullpen coach of the Washington Nationals. However, on June 15, by|2006, Wetteland was relieved of his duties by manager Frank Robinson, and offered another position within the organization.

On May 18, 2007, Wetteland, a born-again Christian, was introduced as an assistant baseball coach and Bible teacher at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas, where he currently lives.

ee also

*List of Major League Baseball saves champions
*List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders

External links

*baseballstats |mlb= |espn= |br=w/wettejo01 |fangraphs=1013815 |cube=W/john-wetteland