Mike Zagurski
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Philadelphia Phillies — No. 59 | |
| Relief pitcher | |
| Born: January 27, 1983 | |
| Bats: Left | Throws: Left |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
| May 25, 2007 for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through 2007) |
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| Win-Loss | 1-0 |
| Earned run average | 5.91 |
| Strikeouts | 21 |
| Teams | |
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Michael Justin Zagurski (born January 27, 1983, in Omaha, Nebraska) is an American baseball pitcher in the Philadelphia Phillies organization affectionately known by fans as the "Hefty Lefty", "Lardo", "Lunch Box", or "Tons o' Fun".
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[edit] From unrecruited to the majors
Zagurski was neither drafted after high school nor recruited by any four-year colleges.[1] He started his college career at Hutchinson Community College, finished at University of Kansas, and started the 2007 season in the minor leagues with the Single-A Clearwater Threshers before being promoted to the Double-A Reading Phillies. On May 25, when Brett Myers was placed on the disabled list, Zagurski was placed on the Phillies major league roster. He made his first appearance that evening.
"The only thing I could say was, 'Wow,'" he later told The Philadelphia Inquirer.[2]
Almost 60 of the pitcher's friends, former teammates, and family were in attendance at Zagurski's first major league appearance at the Atlanta Braves' Turner Field.[3]. Legendary broadcaster Harry Kalas remarked on the cheers that greeted Zagurski's entry to the game and added that the 'Phillies might have themselves a left-hander' after Zagurski retired the first three batters he faced.
[edit] 2007 season
Zagurski walked New York Mets pinch hitter Julio Franco, who made his major league debut for the Phillies the year before Zagurski was born, and retired San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds less than two weeks after being called up. On the possibility of pitching to the potential future Hall of Famer, Zagurski had said, "Having an opportunity to face [Bonds] would be awesome. I'm sure I would notice him, but he's still trying to hit the ball and I'm still trying to get him out, so I think the star-strucking will stop"[4]
On June 7, Zagurski won his first major league game as the Phillies completed a three-game sweep of the first-place New York Mets at Shea Stadium. Phillies color commentator Gary Matthews said Zagurski believed he had a place in the major leagues and that the young pitcher was "not at all in awe of being here." Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said after the game that Zagurski "has a future in the big leagues, and he definitely has a future with us.”[5]
On July 15, Zagurski pitched the entire ninth inning of the Phillies' 10,000th franchise loss. The game, which was carried nationally on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, saw the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Phillies 10-2.
On July 27, Myers was activated from the 15-day disabled list and the Phillies optioned Zagurski to the Triple-A Ottawa Lynx. On August 15, Zagurski was recalled to the majors when starter Adam Eaton was placed on the 15-day disabled list.
[edit] 2008 season
On April 3, Zagurski underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery.
[edit] Pitching style
Zagurski throws a 91-94 mph fastball, as well as a changeup and slider.
[edit] References
- ^ Ford, Bob (2007-06-10). His own way: Lefthander Zagurski takes an odd path to the majors.. philly.com. Retrieved on 2007-06-11.
- ^ Ford, Bob (2007-06-10). His own way: Lefthander Zagurski takes an odd path to the majors.. philly.com. Retrieved on 2007-06-11.
- ^ Wood, Ryan (2007-06-11). No time wasted / Zagurski relishes meteoric rise to majors. ljworld.com.com. Retrieved on 2007-06-11.
- ^ Miller, Randy (2007-07-01). Phils, fans brace for Bonds. phillyburbs.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-06.
- ^ Wood, Ryan (2007-06-11). No time wasted / Zagurski relishes meteoric rise to majors. ljworld.com.com. Retrieved on 2007-06-11.
[edit] External links
- ESPN.com: Mike Zagurski stats, news and photos
- Stats from thebaseballcube.com
- Stats from minorleaguebaseball.com
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