**Coaching Career**
Doug Brocail was first named Astros' pitching coach, on an interim basis, on June 14, 2011. Following the 2011 season, Brocail was given the permanent pitching coach position in October.
In 2012, he oversaw the development of Lucas Harrell, who was one of the top rookie starters in the Majors. Several other young hurlers showed promise, including Jordan Lyles, who will be just 22 years old entering this season.
Brocail had early success as Astros pitching coach after taking over in June of 2011. Astros hurlers posted a combined 4.39 ERA in 95 games under Brocail, compared to a 4.69 ERA prior to his arrival that season.
Prior to serving as pitching coach, Brocail had been a special assistant to the general manager for the Astros, beginning in 2010. In that role, he assisted with the evaluation of Major League and minor league players in the Astros system and handled some Major League scouting assignments.
**Playing Career**
As a right-handed pitcher, Brocail compiled a 52-48 record with a 4.00 ERA in 626 appearances (42 starts) with nine saves in parts of 16 Major League seasons from 1992-2009, pitching for the Padres, Astros, Tigers and Rangers. His .633 (38-22) winning percentage in his final 12 seasons (1998-2009) was the second-highest among Major League relievers in that span (min. five decisions).
Brocail had three stints with the Astros, posting a 15-14 record in 151 games (11 starts) with a 4.24 ERA and three saves. In 2008, his 47 appearances in the first half were the most in club history by a right-hander. He finished that season at 7-5 in 72 appearances, reaching career bests in games and wins at the age of 42.
While with the Tigers, Brocail registered a 2.83 ERA in 191 games over a three-year span (1997-99) while posting a .225 opponents' batting average, allowing just 181 hits in 222.2 innings.
A serious elbow injury prevented Brocail from pitching in the Major Leagues from 2001-03, missing the entire 2002 and 2003 seasons. He returned to the Major Leagues in 2004 with the Rangers, making 43 relief appearances that season.
On March 11, 2006, Brocail underwent an angioplasty after doctors discovered blockage of his left anterior descending coronary artery during an angiogram in Spring Training. He underwent a second angioplasty on April 10, but recovered in time to return in July to post a 2-2 record with a 4.76 ERA (15ER/28.1IP) in 25 games out of the bullpen.
Brocail was All-State in football, basketball and baseball at Lamar High School in Colorado, where he tossed three no-hitters and fanned 156 batters in 76 innings to win Colorado Pitcher of the Year honors in 1985.
**Personal**
He and his wife, Lisa, reside in Missouri City, TX, and have five daughters: Taylor, McKinzie, Madisyne, Camdyn and Parker Elisabeth.
2008
Went 7-5 with a 3.93 ERA (30ER/68.2IP) in 72 relief
appearances...established a career high in appearances
with 72, besting his previous high of 70, accomplished with
Detroit in 1999...led the club at the All-Star Break with 47
appearances, marking the most appearances in the first half
of a season in his career...fell one first-half appearance shy of tying the club record for an Astro (Juan Agosto, 48 in 1990)...also
set a career high in wins with seven...won his seventh decision of the season in his 600th career appearance on Sept. 7 at COL...
among relievers, seven wins tied for the most in the National League and tied for third in the Majors...held right-handed hitters
to a .200 (31x155) batting average, including only six extra-base hits...his opponent batting average against righties ranked
as the sixth-lowest in the National League this season (min. 150 AB)...tossed 10 multiple-inning relief appearances this season
(2-0, 4.02 ERA)...recorded wins in consecutive games against BOS from June 28-29...marked the first time in his career to record
wins in back-to-back appearances (577 prior apps.)...tossed 10.1 consecutive scoreless innings from May 20 to June 10 (10
consecutive apps.)...earned two saves, both coming against PHI...prior to this season, had not saved a game since 2005.
2007
In his 13th Major League season, went 5-1 with a 3.05 ERA (26ER/76.2IP)...the five wins tied for the second-highest total of his career (also 1998, 2000 and 2005) behind his six wins in Houston in 1995, where he won twice as a starter...finished 16 games for the Friars...struck out 43 in 67 appearances...his 67 games were the second-highest workload of his career, behind his 70 appearances with the Tigers in 1999...surrendered three runs over his last 16.1 innings and 18 games since August 30 (1.65 ERA)...placed on the bereavement list August 10 and was reinstated August 14, missing three games in Cincinnati...worked a season-high 3.0 innings of scoreless relief after David Wells was ejected in the third inning July 7 vs. ATL...placed on the 15-day Disabled List June 22 (retroactive to June 21) with a left gluteal strain...reinstated from the DL July 7 after missing 15 games...did not allow a run in 13 consecutive games, April 17-May 22, working 15.0 scoreless innings...held opponents to a .228 average...limited left-handers to a .182 batting average (35x137), ranking fifth among NL right-handers...at 40 years of age, his 67 games, 76.2 innings pitched and 3.05 ERA were his best since posting a 2.52 ERA in 70 relief appearances (82.0 IP) for the Detroit Tigers in 1999.
2006
SUMMARY: Was placed on the 15-day disabled list April 1 (retroactive to March 24) after undergoing an angioplasty on March 11...doctors discovered blockage of his left anterior descending coronary artery after undergoing an angiogram during Spring Training...underwent a second angioplasty on April 10...finished 2-2
with a 4.76 ERA (15 ER/28.1 IP) after returning from the DL to work in 25 games out of the pen...reinstated July 14 and made his 2006 Padres debut with a scoreless frame that night vs. Atlanta...after surrendering three runs in back-to-back outings July 16 and 18, strung together 7.2 scoreless frames from July 21-30...tagged
with his first loss of the season after allowing five batters to reach base without recording an out, Aug. 10 at New York (NL)...charged with four runs...followed that outing with 8.1 scoreless innings spanning six games, Aug. 13-25...suffered a strained right hamstring Sept. 15 at Los Angeles (NL) and was subsequently placed on the 60-day disabled list Sept. 20, missing the rest of the regular season and all postseason games.
SITTING 'EM DOWN: Averaged 6.04 strikeouts per nine innings with 19 on the year...walked only eight over his 25 apperances while holding opponents to a .252 average (27-for-107).
2005
Appeared in 61 games for Texas in 2005, the third-highest total on the staff...led Texas relievers
with 73.1 innings pitched...tied for Texas lead with five relief wins and ranked second among Rangers'
relievers with 61 strikeouts...Recorded his first full, injury-free Major League season since 1999 with Detroit...did
not allow a run in 40 of 61 outings...permitted 18 of 48 inherited runners (37.5 %) to score...had five holds,
tied for third among Rangers...was 1-for-4 in save opportunities...fi nished 13 games, tied for second-most
among Rangers, and allowed just two home runs...first batters had a .340 (18-53) average...opposing batters
hit .301 (90-299), with left-handers batting .346 (44-127) and right-handers batting .267 (46-172)...went 1-0,
2.25 (1 ER/4.0 IP) in first five appearances...recorded a 13.50 ERA (7 ER/4.2 IP) over next six outings to raise
season mark to 8.31...was 2-0, 1.15 (2 ER/15.2 IP) in 15 appearances from April 30-June 9 to lower ERA from
8.31 to 3.70...took loss on June 10 at Florida, allowing five runs in 0.1 innings pitched...posted a 3.03 ERA
(10 ER/29.2 IP) ERA over next 18 outings to lower mark from 5.47 to 4.14...had 12.79 figure (18 ER/12.2 IP)
in 11 appearances from Aug. 9-Sept. 14, raising his season ERA to 5.78...recorded a 2.84 ERA (2
ER/6.1 IP) in last fi ve outings of the season to fi nish the season with a 5.52 ERA...recorded a season-high 7.0
inning consecutive scoreless streak on two occasions, from June 11-22 and July 27-Aug. 7...Earned first win of the season on April 9 at Seattle, despite allowing one earned run in
1.0 inning to snap an 18.1 inning scoreless streak dating back to Sept. 3, 2004...entered game with
bases loaded and no out in the eighth inning on April 30 vs. Boston and stranded all three inherited runners,
retiring three straight, including strikeouts of Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz...recorded six strikeouts in 3.1
scoreless innings on June 19 vs. Washington, most strikeouts by a Texas reliever since Ron Mahay's seven
punchouts on Aug. 18, 2003 at Detroit...six strikeouts matched his career-high as a reliever (also April 19,
1996 vs. Cincinnati)...outing was his longest scoreless appearance since tossing 7.0 scoreless innings in a start
on Sept. 9, 1993 vs. Atlanta...recorded lone save on Aug. 29 vs. Chicago (AL), inducing a groundout
from only batter faced, Carl Everett, for the game's final out.
2004
Doug returned to the majors after a three-year absence and made 43 relief appearances for Texas...ranked among Texas bullpen leaders
in innings (4th, 52.1) and strikeouts (5th, 43) despite a pair of DL stints and not joining club until late April.
Summary: Allowed a run in 12 of 43 outings with just five of 33 inherited runners (15.2%) crossing the plate, second-lowest percentage in
the AL among qualifying relievers...had four holds and converted his only save opportunity...first batters had a .308 (12-39) average
and opponents batted .253 (19-75) with runners in scoring position...finished 14 games, T3rd among Rangers, and permitted just two
home runs...was purchased from Oklahoma (AAA) on April 27 after going 2-0, 2.45 in seven games with the RedHawks...posted a 21.00
ERA (7 ER/3.0 IP) over first four outings with Texas through May 8 before first DL stint from May 12-June 6 for appendectomy...after
return, posted 2.92 ERA (4 ER/12.1 IP) over 10 outings from June 10-July 1, allowing runs just once to lower ERA to 6.46...took loss
on July 3 at Houston, allowing five runs (four earned) in 1.1 innings...had 3.38 figure (2 ER/5.1 IP) over next 5 outings to drop from 8.10
to 6.95...posted 7.88 ERA (7 ER/8.0 IP) over five outings from July 22-Aug. 17, raising season mark to 7.20...those outings spanned
his second DL stint, from July 25-Aug. 8...had a 0.00 ERA (0 ER/22.1 IP) over final 18 outings to drop ERA to season low 4.13...in last
22 appearances beginning July 24, had an 0.92 ERA (3 ER/29.1 IP)...ended season with 16.2 consecutive scoreless innings from
Sept. 3-Oct. 3, the longest scoreless streak by a Texas pitcher all year...last allowed a run on Aug. 29 vs. Baltimore and last permitted
an earned run on Aug. 17 vs. Cleveland.
Injuries: Was placed on disabled list on May 12 after enduring pains that afternoon at Tropicana Field...had a successful appendectomy
procedure that night at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida...was on the DL from May 12-June 6...did not allow a
run in four of five rehab appearances with Oklahoma...was also sidelined with a sore left hamstring from July 25-Aug. 8, during which he
pitched one rehab game with Frisco (AA).
Other Notes: Was 4-0, 2.40 (8 ER/30.0 IP) after the All-Star break...outing on April 28 was first in majors since Sept. 11, 2000 at
Chicago (AL) while with Detroit...July 18 vs. Toronto was first win since July 23, 2000, while Aug. 17 vs. Cleveland was first save
since July 7, 1999...recorded season-high four K's on two occasions...tossed season-high 3.0 innings four times...went 3-0, 1.42 (2 ER/12.2
IP) in 10 outings vs. AL East and 1-0, 1.89 (4 ER/19.0 IP) in 16 games against AL West opponents...permitted runs in just one of 16
outings vs. AL West, allowing four runs on July 22 vs. Anaheim...both home runs allowed in '04 came on June 11 vs. St. Louis...did not
allow a home run over final 37 games and 45.1 innings...on MLB's suspended list for six games from Sept. 26-Oct. 1 following incident
on Sept. 13 at Oakland.
1986
Was a first-round selection by the Padres in the 1986 January free agent draft and began his career at Spokane (A).
1987
Averaged only 2.7 walks per nine innings at Charleston (28 BB/92.1 IP).
1988
Fanned better than a batter per inning for Charleston (A) (108 SO/107.0 IP).
1989
Placed third on the Wichita staff with 95 strikeouts.
1990
Battled injury much of the season with a strain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
1991
Compiled a 30-inning scoreless streak in August at Wichita (AA)...included in the stretch were three consecutive shutouts...efforts earned him back-to-back Texas League Player of the Week honors.
1992
Saw his first major league action after being promoted from Las Vegas on September 7...made his major league debut in a start on September 8 at San Francisco but did not figure in the decision of the Pads' 6-5, extra-inning loss.
1993
Was third on the Padres with 24 starts in his first full season in the majors...promoted from Las Vegas (AAA) on June 1 and won his first big league game that night, allowing one run in 6.0 innings of a 2-1 decision over Atlanta...equaled his career-best with 7 strikeouts on June 11 against Los Angeles...pitched a career-high 8.0 innings in 2-0 win over Cincinnati on June 26...had a pair of hits and stole a base in a start on July 11 in Montreal...the steal was first by a Padres pitcher since Mark Davis on April 29, 1988, and was the first of his two on the season (September 8 vs. Florida).
1994
Pitched in 12 games, primarily in relief, for Padres but spent most the season on the disabled list with a bone spur in his right elbow...had surgery on April 4 to remove the spur...beginning on May 26, made a total of nine rehab appearances before being activated from the disabled list on J
1995
Opened the season on the major league level with Houston, making 7 starts and 29 relief appearances...was 4-2 with a 3.03 ERA in 29 relief efforts (13 ER/38.2 IP)...optioned to Tucson (AAA) on May 15 when rosters were reduced from 28 to 25 players in order to move him into the starting rotation...made 3 starts before being recalled on June 2...earned no decision in his first start on June 6 against Florida...returned to the bullpen for 15 outings before making his second start on August 4 at Pittsburgh in the second game of a doubleheader, earning 5-4 win...earned first big league save on June 16 at New York Mets with 1.0 scoreless inning.
1996
Split time between the bullpen and rotation with the Astros...first six appearances came out of the bullpen...earned only win with 5.1 frames of 3-hit relief vs. Cincinnati on April 19, a 13-5 Houston win...win marked his longest career effort out of the bullpen and a high for Astros relievers in 1996...had a season-high 6 strikeouts, a career-high in relief...moved into the rotation after that win...made four starts between April 24-May 10...placed on 15-day disabled list on May 14 due to a fraying of his right biceps tendon, which was surgically repaired on June 10...was moved to the 60-day disabled list on June 29 before being reinstated on August 15.
1997
Began campaign as Tigers' Opening Day starter before moving into the bullpen...after four starts to begin the season, moved to the bullpen for duration on April 23...allowed just 6 earned runs in his last 50.0 innings pitched, covering 47 appearances from June 2-September 27, a 1.08 ERA...from June 2 through the season's conclusion, he set up 19 of Todd Jones' 24 saves...overall in relief, was 3-3 with 2.38 ERA and 2 saves (15 ER/56.2 IP) in 57 outings...relief ERA was sixth-best in AL and tied for ninth in the majors...made his first career Opening Day start on April 1 at Minnesota...took no decision in 7-5 loss...became just second pitcher in the previous 30 years (joining Mike Moore in 1993) to make his first-ever Tiger appearance as the Opening Day starter...was the first player traded to the Tigers in that time frame to be assigned the role.
1998
Led Tigers' staff in ERA in his first full season as the club's setup man...ranked in top 10 among AL relievers in ERA (8th, 2.73), batting average against (10th, .211), and wins (T10th, 5)...his 5 relief wins were a career-best (two of his 6 wins in 1995 came as a starter)...opened 3-0 to give him a career-high five game winning streak dating to 1997 (6/11/97-6/24/98)...posted a 1.68 ERA (10ER/53.2IP) from May 1 through the end of the season after allowing 9 runs in 9.0 innings over first 12 appearances...surrendered just 2 home runs all season...snapped a string of 32.1 innings without allowing a homer on September 26 at Toronto...gave up just one run in his final 11.1 innings, that coming on a solo homer on September 26 in Toronto...it was the only run he allowed on the road after June 15...spent August 9-24 on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow strain, marking his first trip to the DL since May of 1996.
1999
Led the Tigers in games pitched while posting the lowest ERA on Detroit's staff...ranked fourth in AL among relievers pitching more than 45.0 innings with a career-best 2.52 ERA...pitched in a career-high 70 games, the third consecutive year he appeared in 60+ games...fanned career-high 78 batters, an average of 8.6 strikeouts per 9.0 innings...opponents batted only .206 against him, topping all Tiger pitchers and ranking fifth in AL among relievers...gave up only nine runs with a 1.81 ERA in his final 44.2 innings at Tiger Stadium dating to 1998...posted a 2.04 ERA at home, giving up only three runs in his first 19 home appearances...did not allow a run at Tiger Stadium until May 14 vs. Cleveland...owned a season-long 12-inning scoreless streak covering nine appearances from August 7-21...finished May with team-best 2.12 ERA and allowed only 4 runs in 13 games while striking out 19 as opponents batted just .155 against him...owned a 2.13 ERA with one save in 12 games in June, fanning 12 and walking two...did not commit an error in the field for the fifth straight season.
2001
Made 3 rehab appearances with New Orleans and Round Rock in early April while recovering from a strained right hamstring...Had elbow surgery later in the month and has not pitched in a professional game since that time.
2003
Has not pitched the last 2 seasons after having two surgeries on his right elbow...initially underwent surgery on April 27, 2001 to repair a full tear of the medial collateral ligament and a partial tear of the flexor tendon in right elbow...originally placed on the disabled list on March 31, 2001 with a strained right hamstring...signed with Texas on February 17, 2003, following workouts in Houston, and is fully ready for spring training.