Dan Giese #39

Full name is Daniel Joseph Giese... he and his wife, Shannon, have one daughter, Avery (3), and one son, Gavin (1)... graduated from Rubidoux (Calif.) High School and the University of San Diego... signed by Harry Smith (Red Sox)... finished his business degree at USD in the offseason after announcing his retirement following the 2005 season.

2008

Was 1-3 with a 3.53 ERA in 20 appearances (three starts) over two stints with the Yankees (6/3; 6/6-9/28)... opponents batted .232 (39-for-168, 3HR); LH .209 (19- for-91, 2HR), RH .260 (20-for-77, 1HR)... stranded five of his seven inherited runners (71.4%)... retired 13-of-17 first batters faced as a reliever (76.5%)... had never started a game in his professional career prior to 2008... became the oldest rookie to play for the Yankees since Jose Contreras in 2003...Six of his relief appearances were 2.0 or more innings, with three outings of 3.0 or more innings pitched... appeared in consecutive games once (6/30-7/1 vs. Texas)...Had a 2.76 ERA (29.1IP, 9ER) in 12 games (two starts) at Yankee Stadium and a 5.14 ERA (14.0IP, 8ER) on the road...Was signed to a Major League contract and selected to the 25-man active roster from Triple-A Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre on 6/3... made his Yankees debut that night vs. Toronto, allowing 1ER in 3.2 innings of relief and recording the loss... was optioned to Scranton/ WB on 6/4...Was recalled from Scranton/WB on 6/6 when RHP Chris Britton was placed on the 15-day disabled list... earned his first Major League victory (at age 31) in 6/8 win vs. Kansas City in his first appearance after his recall, tossing 2.2 hitless and scoreless innings (3K, 1WP)... according to the Elias Sports Bureau, the only other Yankees older than Giese at the time of their first wins in the Majors were Rocky Colavito (age 35 in 1968), Dale Polley (age 31 in 1996) and Jose Contreras (age 31 in 2003)...Made his first career Major League start on 6/21 vs. Cincinnati against the Reds' Daryl Thompson, who was also making his first Major League start... according to the Elias Sports Bureau, it marked just the third time in original Yankee Stadium history that both starting pitchers made the first starts of their Major League careers in the same game (also the Yankees' Myles Thomas and Boston's Tony Welzer on 4/22/26 and the Yankees' Dooley Womack vs. the Washington Senators' Bob Humphreys on 7/10/66)... did not allow an earned run in a career-high 6.2IP (4H, 3R, 5K), but recorded the loss... made a throwing error in the seventh, leading to three unearned runs... both pitchers held their opponents scoreless through five innings, marking just the fourth time in Baseball history that two pitchers, both making their first Major League start, accomplished the feat... was the first time since Milwaukee's Earl Stephenson and Boston's Lynn McGlothen on 6/25/72 (credit: Elias Sports Bureau)...At 31 years, 33 days of age, became the fifth Yankees pitcher since 1951 to make his first Major League start after turning 31... according to the Elias Sports Bureau, joined Contreras (2003), Mike Stanton (1999), Jim Bruske (1998) and Mike Armstrong (1986)...Threw a career-high 96 pitches in his second start and recorded the loss in a 15-9 Mets victory in Game 1 of a 6/27 split-stadium doubleheader at Yankee Stadium...Returned to the bullpen following the start and allowed just 2ER combined over eight relief appearances from 6/30-8/3 (14.1IP)... made relief appearances on consecutive days for the first time in his career on 6/30 and 7/1 vs. Texas, tossing 1.0 scoreless inning in each game... both runs over the stretch came in 7/27 loss at Boston, when he threw a career relief-high 4.0IP...Made a spot start on 8/9 at Los Angeles (AL), recording a no-decision in an 11-4 Angels victory... held the AL West champs to 1ER in 6.0IP... was his first career start vs. an AL team... was in-line to record his first win as a starter, but the bullpen blew a 2-1 lead...Entered in relief on 8/13 at Minnesota, facing three hitters and allowing 1H, 1ER and 2BB without retiring a batter before leaving the game with stiffness in his right shoulder... was examined on 8/14 by Dr. Chris Ahmad in New York and was diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinitis... was placed on the 15-day disabled list on 8/15...Had a 1.66 ERA in his first 12 relief appearances with the Yankees prior to being placed on the disabled list, allowing just 4ER in 21.2IP and holding opponents to a .203 batting average (16-for-79)...Was reinstated from the 15-day D.L. prior to 9/2 win at Tampa Bay, pitching 1.0 scoreless inning of relief in the victory that night... made five appearances after returning from the disabled list, allowing 11H, 8R and 6ER in 5.0IP (10.80 ERA)... allowed runs in four of the five outings...Began the season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, going 4-2 with a 1.98 ERA in 13 games (10 starts)... started the year in the bullpen and made three relief appearances, tossing 5.1 innings and allowing 6H and 1ER (1.69 ERA, 1BB, 1HB, 7K) before being placed into the rotation... in 10 starts, was 4-2 with a 2.01 ERA (53.2IP, 37H, 15R, 12ER, 13BB, 2HB, 44K, 2HR), allowing 2ER or less nine times... was credited with his first career complete-game shutout on 5/16 at Louisville (CIN) in Game 1 of a doubleheader (7.0IP, 3H, 1BB, 4K).

2006

Split campaign between double-A Reading and triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre during final season in Philadelphia organization...combined to go 3-4 with save and 2.75 ERA (22er, 72.0ip) in 48 relief appearances.

2005

Logged full season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre...allowed only 1 walk in 38.0 innings.

2004

Spent 1st full campaign with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre...co-winner of Red Barons Pitcher of Year Award with Jim Crowell...led team and tied for 3rd in International League in wins (12) and games (54)...was named to International League In-Season All-Star squad...pitched for Phoenix in Arizona Fall League.

2003

Opened season at double-A Mobile in San Diego system...made 2 appearances before being promoted to triple-A Portland...had contract purchased by Phillies May 2, and was assigned to Reading...earned promotion to Scranton May 24...participated in Arizona Fall League for Mesa.

2002

Began season with double-A Trenton in Red Sox chain...was traded to San Diego June 23 and assigned to Mobile...led Southern League relievers in fewest walks per 9.0 IP (1.20).

2001

Spent entire season with single-A Augusta...walked only 8 batters, struck out 95 and held opponents to .226 avg...led South Atlantic League in fewest walks per 9.0 IP (0.61).

2000

Split season between single-A Lowell and Sarasota...appeared in 23 games in relief between both stops...went combined 1-0 with 1.85 ERA and 9 saves...finished 3rd in New York-Penn League averaging just 0.46 BB per 9.0 IP.

1999

Made pro debut with single-A Lowell...earned late-season promotion to single-A Augusta...went 4-0 with 1.92 ERA (11 ER, 51.2 IP) in 27 games between Lowell and Augusta...ranked 3rd among New York Penn League relievers in avg.against (.145).