American baseball player (born 1977)
Baseball player
Daniel Michael Wheeler
(born December 10, 1977) is an American former professional
baseball
pitcher
. He played in
Major League Baseball
for the
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
,
New York Mets
,
Houston Astros
,
Boston Red Sox
, and
Cleveland Indians
from 1999 through 2012.
Early career
[
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]
Wheeler attended
Pilgrim High School
in
Warwick, Rhode Island
. He was drafted in the
1996 MLB draft
by the
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
out of
Central Arizona College
. After the Devil Rays, he played for the
New York Mets
, who traded him to the
Houston Astros
for minor leaguer Adam Seuss in 2004.
Houston Astros
[
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]
Wheeler
(center)
with
Chad Qualls
and
Brad Lidge
In 2005, Wheeler established himself as a top
setup man
for the Astros, going 2-3 with a 2.21
ERA
in 71 games.
On October 19, 2005 during the
National League Championship Series
he recorded the last out at
Busch Memorial Stadium
in
St. Louis, Missouri
, a fly ball which was caught by Astro
Jason Lane
in
right field
off the bat of
Yadier Molina
. He played on Team USA in the
2006 World Baseball Classic
in the offseason.
On April 9, 2007, Wheeler became the Astros'
closer
, replacing
Brad Lidge
. However, Wheeler lost the closer's job when Lidge overcame injury and returned to the team.
Tampa Bay Rays
[
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]
Wheeler in 2008
On July 28, 2007, Wheeler was traded back to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in exchange for third baseman
Ty Wigginton
.
He is one of four pitchers who have pitched in at least 70 games each of the four seasons from 2004 to 08, the others being
Scott Schoeneweis
(who did so for five seasons),
Bob Howry
, and
Chad Qualls
.
Boston Red Sox
[
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]
On December 17, 2010, the
Boston Red Sox
signed Wheeler to a one-year, $3 million contract with a club option for 2012.
[1]
Cleveland Indians
[
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]
Wheeler was a non-roster invitee with the Cleveland Indians in 2012. He was added to the opening day roster on April 4, 2012. He struggled early, however, with an 8.76 ERA in 12 games.
[2]
Wheeler was designated for assignment immediately following the game on May 13, 2012, against the Boston Red Sox in which he gave up six earned runs in one inning. After clearing waivers, Wheeler was outrighted to the triple-A
Columbus Clippers
on May 16, 2012. He appeared in 36 games for Columbus, posting a 3-3 record and a 2.32 ERA.
[2]
On October 6, 2012, Wheeler elected free agency.
[3]
Kansas City Royals
[
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]
On December 11, 2012, the
Kansas City Royals
confirmed they had signed Wheeler to a minor league contract with an expected invite to Major League spring training, but he would never appear in another major league game.
[2]
Wheeler retired in February 2014.
[4]
Personal life
[
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]
Wheeler is married to Stephanie, who is the daughter of long time Rays play-by-play broadcaster
Dewayne Staats
.
References
[
edit
]
- ^
Cafardo, Nick (December 19, 2010).
"Wheeler the latest reliever to sign on with the Red Sox"
.
Boston.com
– via The Boston Globe.
- ^
a
b
c
Kaegel, Dick (December 11, 2012).
"Sherrill, Wheeler ink Minor League deals with Royals"
. MLB.com via KC Royals team website. Archived from
the original
on December 15, 2012
. Retrieved
December 11,
2012
.
- ^
Staff, SB Nation MLB (May 16, 2012).
"Indians: Robinson Tejeda Released, Dan Wheeler Outrighted"
.
MLB Daily Dish
.
- ^
Baer, Bill (February 8, 2014).
"Reliever Dan Wheeler is retiring from baseball"
.
External links
[
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]