Jeff Zimmerman #59

Hobbies: hockey, skiing, golf and reading...selected as the recipient of the 2002 Harold McKinney Good Guy Award by the Dallas-Fort Worth BBWAA...is the Rangers player representative...has been involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of North Texas on a school and youth initiative to raise funds for helping to find a cure for blood-related cancers...favorite player growing up was Nolan Ryan...earned a Masters Degree in business at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C. in 1996...graduated from Texas Christian in 1993...Jeff and his wife, the former Andrea Whiffin, were married on Nov. 6, 1999...the couple has a daughter - Skylar Katherine Zimmerman, born on Dec 18, 2003...is one of 6 natives of Canada to play for the Rangers...has extensive experience in international competition...in spring of 1997 was selected to Canada's National Senior team that was slated to compete in the World Championship Qualifier Tournament in Mexico...that tournament was cancelled...spent 1995 and 1996 as a starter for the Canadian National team in hopes of competing in the 1996 Olympic Games...however, Canada lost to Nicaragua in the championship game of the Olympic qualifying tournament...spent 1994 pitching in France...played 2 seasons at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth...10-8, 4.21 with 103 strikeouts in 135 innings...led Horned Frogs in wins (8) in 1993 with only losses coming to Arizona State, Texas A&M, and Texas, all ranked number one at the time he faced them...a 1989 graduate of John G. Diefenbaker HS in Calgary, Alb.

2003

Spent entire season on DL...opened year on 15-day DL and was moved to 60-day DL on April 15...had ligament reconstruction surgery on right elbow on July 30, 2002 and spent most of year continuing rehab from that procedure...began throwing to hitters in June and pitched in a series of simulated games in late June and early July...experienced discomfort in simulated game on July 3 and was shut down for 2 weeks...resumed throwing in late July and was sent to Arizona Rangers on rehab assignment on August 15...pitched one inning that day in first regular season appearance since July 16, 2002 for Tulsa...overall retired all 9 batters faced in 3 games for Arizona Rangers before experiencing tightness in right arm in late August...did not pitch again in 2003...last major league appearance was October 7, 2001 at Seattle, pitching a scoreless inning.

2002

Began to experience elbow problems in spring training and was diagnosed to have tendonitis in his elbow...opened the year on the 15-day DL and was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 23...continued to experience pain and underwent arthroscopic surgery on May 1 to remove scar tissue from the outside of the elbow...assigned to Charlotte (A) on rehab assignment on July 7 and pitched 2 scoreless innings in 2 appearances before being promoted to Tulsa (AA) on July 11...worked 3 shutout innings in 3 games for the Drillers, with final outing being a one-inning stint on July 16 vs. El Paso...Felt discomfort in the elbow while playing catch on July 18 and returned to Texas for examination...underwent right elbow surgery on July 30 in Los Angeles by Dr. Lewis Yocum and Dr. John Conway...had a repair of the flexor tendon and reconstruction of an insufficient ulnar collateral ligament by using a tendon from his left forearm.

2001

Led the Rangers and tied for eighth in AL in saves (28)...also topped squad in games finished (53) and was second in appearances (66)...had 2.40 ERA, lowest of the 25 pitchers who appeared in a game for the Rangers and was sixth lowest among AL relievers (54 or more IP)...selected as the Rangers Pitcher of the Year, joining Jim Kern (1979), Danny Darwin (1980), Steve Comer (1981) and Tom Henke (1993) as the only relievers to ever capture the award...converted 28 of 31 save opportunities, a 90.3% success rate that ranked fifth best in the league...3 blown saves matched the fewest of any AL reliever with 25 or more saves...just the third native of Canada to ever earn 20 saves in one season, joining Detroit's John Hiller (38) in 1973 and Montreal's Claude Raymond (23) in 1970...converted 24 of his last 25 save attempts beginning June 15, including his final 17 after blown save on July 2 against Seattle...that tied club record for consecutive saves converted with John Wetteland, July 18-September 27, 1999...topped the AL with 11 saves in July, matching the team mark for saves in a month (Wetteland in May, 2000), earning saves in 10 consecutive appearances, July 7-31...issued a run in 13 of 66 appearances with just 8 of 37 inherited runners scoring (21.6%)...first batters had a .230 (14-61) average...had 0.87 ERA (3 ER/31 IP) in his last 29 appearances with all 3 runs coming on solo homers...ranked 8th in the AL in Rolaids Relief points (80)...AL Fireman of the Month for July with 31 Rolaids Relief points...also earned Rangers Player of the Month honors for July with a 1.54 ERA and 11 saves in 13 appearances...issued just 6.06 hits per 9 innings, second best among league relievers...had fourth best baserunners per 9 innings ratio at 8.6 and fanned 9.1 batters every 9 innings, 10th-best in AL...opponents batted .192, fourth lowest among league relief pitchers.

2000

Ranked 3rd on the staff in games (65) and led in holds (21), 5th best in A.L....Had team best 9.56 strikeouts per 9 innings...Allowed runs in 25 of 65 games and permitted 17 of 66 inherited runners to cross the plate...Finished 17 games with 1st batters hitting .259 (15-58)...Posted 7.16 era in 1st 18 appearances through May 15 and had a 5.40 era in last 20 contests...Earned lone save in 3 opportunities, July 27 vs. Detroit...Tied for 3rd in the A.L. in balks (3).

1999

In his rookie season, Jeff ranked 2nd on the Rangers' staff in saves (3), tied for 2nd in appearances (65) and tied for 4th in wins (9) while his 2.36 era was the lowest among all Texas pitchers. He tied for 1st among American League rookies in games, tied for 2nd in saves and tied for 4th in wins, while placing 2nd among all league relievers in holds (24). Jeff had an incredible 1st half, posting an 8-0 record with a 0.86 era to earn a spot on the A.L. All-Star Team. He was named the Rangers' Rookie of the Year by the Dallas-Ft. Worth chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America and was selected to Baseball Digest's Major League Rookie All-Star team...Was the final pitcher cut as a non-roster invitee in spring training...Started the year at Oklahoma, pitching 3.2 scoreless innings in 2 games with a win and a save...Was recalled on April 13 for the rest of the year...Became the 5th Canadian native to ever play for the Rangers.

1998

Was named Nolan Ryan Texas Rangers' Minor League Pitcher of the Year...Texas signed him as a free agent in January after he faxed letters to all 30 major league teams...In 1st season in Texas organization, combined to go 5-2, 1.28 (11 er/77.1 ip) with 81 strikeouts in 51 appearances with Charlotte and Tulsa...Held opposition to a .175 (48-274) average...Began year in middle relief at Charlotte, going 2-1, 1.26 in 10 games...Was promoted to Tulsa on May 12, going 3-1, 1.29 in 41 games...Held opponents to a .170 (38-224) average, 2nd lowest among Texas League pitchers...Allowed 8.29 baserunners per 9 innings, also 2nd fewest, and fanned 9.57 hitters every 9 innings (67 k's/63 ip), 5th highest...Was 2nd on Tulsa staff in appearances, games finished (29) and saves (9)...Issued an er in 7 of 41 outings...Posted a 0.43 era (8 r/2 er/42.1 ip)in 1st 27 games through July 23...Did not allow an er (5 total runs) in 21.1 frames over 15 games, May 21-23...Longest overall scoreless streaks were 14.1 innings in 10 appearances, June 4-28 and 12 innings in 7 games, July 4-23...Was Rangers' minor league pitcher of the month in July at 2-0, 1.59 in 11 games...Fanned season high 5 batters, July 23 vs. El Paso...Was 1-0, 0.32 (1 er/28.1 ip) in last 19 games.

1997

Made pro debut at Winnipeg in the independent Northern League...Had the league's lowest earned run average (2.82), was 2nd in strikeouts (140), and tied for 5th in wins (9) and complete games (3)...Was selected as the Northern League rookie of the year and was named to the post-season Independent Leagues all-star team by Baseball America.