10-year Major League veteran has regained form as one of NL's top left-handed relievers, completing impressive return from "Tommy John" surgery that cost him most of 2002 campaign...came to San Francisco in July 31, 2001 trade with St. Louis, and has posted 5-4 mark with 3 saves and 4.18 ERA (39er, 84.0ip) over 131 outings in Giants uniform...overall, has gone 21-25 with 16 saves and 4.20 ERA in 460 career big league relief appearances...has held left-handers to just .230 batting average against (127-for-551) with 13 home runs during has averaged 8.4 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched in his career (363so, 388.1ip)...was originally signed by Pittsburgh as non-drafted free agent July 5, 1991...has seen big league action with Pirates (1995-2000), Cardinals (2000-01) and Giants (2001-04).
Graduated from Elkhorn (NE) High School, where he played baseball and basketball and ran track...baseball team captured state championship in 1988...graduate of Iowa Western Junior College, where he was teammate of current Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jon Lieber...also attended Cameron University in Oklahoma...earned 2nd-team All-America honors in 1991...married (Heather Barnes, Dec. 14, 1996)...daughter (Makena, Jan. 25, 2000)...twins (son: Samuel Gregory and daughter: Kennedy Eve, June 22, 2004).
A Giant in the Community:
Participated in Giants' post-game auction and clinic to raise money for Junior Giants and Comfort for Kids, which provides specialized medical care to children throughout Bay Area who are facing life threatening illness...lent his support to Giants Wives cookbook, which benefits Giants Community Fund.
2005
Acquired Aug. 30 from San Francisco in exchange for minor leaguers Dusty Bergman (LHP) and Ronnie Ray (RHP)...Was 0-0 with a 2.45 ERA (3.2 IP - 1 ER) in 12 games with Angels...Made Angels and AL debut, Sept. 3 vs. Seattle...35 year-old was 6-1 with a 5.36 ERA (42 IP - 25 ER) in 56 games (all in relief) with Giants this season (48 H, 15 BB, 17 K), limiting left-handers to .253 clip (20/79)...Owns 27-26 record with 16 saves and 4.27 ERA (207 ER - 436.2 IP) in 528 career appearances (all in relief).
2004
Was 3-1 with 3 saves and 3.60 ERA (4er, 13.1ip) in 26 appearances after All-Star Break, while retiring 42 of 61 batters faced (12h,7bb) during outstanding 2nd half performance...overall, posted 4.50 ERA, while posting career-high 4 wins in 60 appearances...finished 6th in NL by stranding 43 of 55 inherited runners (78.2%)...while pitching in NL West loaded with potent left-handed bats, held lefty swingers to .243 avg. against (17-for-70) with just 2 HRs...in fact, no left-handed batter took him deep outside of Coors Field...opened season with 10-consecutive scoreless efforts (7.0ip) through April 26, and fashioned 3.06 mark (6er, 17.2ip) over 1st 28 outings through June 8...struggled prior to All-Star Break, battling through mild left shoulder tendinitis that landed him on Disabled List June 21-July 6...began sterling stretch run immediately following Mid-Summer Classic, posting 3 saves in 7-outing stretch July 20-31...marked 1st saves as Giant and 1st since July 17, 2001 with St. Louis, while he entered each contest with tying run either on base or at plate.
2003
Saw 1st extended duty in majors since end of 2001 campaign and logged 29 scoreless efforts in 39 outings...held left-handers to .208 avg. against (10-for-48), retiring 30 of last 37 lefties faced (4h,3bb)...success against southpaw hitters helped him strand 19 of 27 inherited runners (70.4%)...completed comeback to big leagues when activated from Disabled List June 3, 1 year and 3 days after undergoing left elbow ligament reconstructive surgery ("Tommy John" surgery)...procedure was performed May 30, 2002 by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, AL, with original recovery time estimated at 11-to-14 months...made 1st ML appearance since April 17, 2002 in June 4 game vs. Minnesota, retiring only batter faced...made 9 rehab appearances in Giants minor league system during comeback (5 with single-A San Jose and 4 with triple-A Fresno)...faced 1 batter in NLDS vs. Florida, allowing single to Juan Pierre in Game 2.
2002
Was lost for season after undergoing left elbow ligament reconstructive surgery May 30 ("Tommy John" surgery)...procedure was performed by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, AL...recovery was expected to be 11-14 months...was originally placed on 15-day Disabled List prior to April 20 game in Houston (retro to April 18) with soreness in left elbow...discomfort showed in performance, as he logged 5.40 ERA (3er, 5.0ip) in his 6 outings.
2001
Acquired in July 31 deal with St. Louis in exchange for minor league RHP Kevin Joseph and player to be named later (RHP Jason Farmer)...after coming to SF, emerged as Giants' top left-hander out of bullpen...was unscored upon in 23 of 25 outings with SF, while forging 1-0 mark with 1.59 ERA (3er, 17.0ip)...overall, was 2-1 with 3 saves and 3.22 ERA (13er, 36.1ip)...ended campaign by pitching some of best ball of career, notching 19 consecutive scoreless outings Aug. 12-Oct. 7...was also unscored upon in 28 of last 31 efforts overall...yielded 3 earned runs in consecutive outings Aug. 11-12 (2.0ip), but had been unscored upon in 10 of his previous 11 appearances (1er, 7.1ip) dating to July 15...overall, was unscored upon in 44 of 52 outings on season (84.6%)...after ERA peaked at 5.40 on July 12, allowed just 3 earned runs in 21.1 innings (1.27 ERA) over final 32 appearances...while tough against left-handed hitters, was even stingier to righties, allowing just .200 batting avg. against (14-for-70)...faced just 1 batter in each of last 4 outings and in 8 of 25 efforts with Giants...retired 15 of 25 (60.0%) 1st batters faced...stranded 9 of 14 inherited runners with SF...posted 1-1 record with 3 saves and 4.66 ERA in 30 appearances with Cardinals...missed April due to injury, logging rehab stint with triple-A Memphis (0-0, 2.25 ERA in 7 games)...was unscored upon in 7 May outings (4.2ip,0h,2bb,3so)...tallied 1st save of year May 28 vs. Milwaukee, striking out only batter faced to preserve 6-2 St. Louis win...recorded back-to-back saves July 16-17 vs. Minnesota...recorded his 1st win as Giant Aug. 7 in Cincinnati (9-3 SF triumph), logging scoreless 10th inning before SF broke game open with 6-run 11th, highlighted by Barry Bonds' lead-off clout...yielded pair of hits to start frame, but worked out of jam by inducing Ken Griffey, Jr. into doubleplay and striking out Sean Casey...was perfect over season-high 2.0 innings Aug. 22 at Montreal (1so)...suffered only blown save as Giant when he allowed 3 inherited runners to score in 7th inning Sept. 22 in San Diego.
2000
Split season between Pittsburgh and St. Louis...was acquired by eventual NL Central champion Cardinals in trade-deadline deal July 30...ranked 3rd in NL with 22 holds...stranded 29 of 37 inherited runners (78.4%), which ranked 5th among all NL relievers...retired 47 of 65 (72.3%) 1st batters faced, 8th-best mark in circuit...had 65 combined appearances, fanning 53 in 48.0 innigns while allowing just 3 home runs...did not allow an earned run in his last 16 games (7.1ip) while boasting 0.00 ERA in 11 contests during September stretch run (4.1ip)...struck out 12 in 4-outing stretch (5.2ip) with Pirates April 12-20...earned 1st win in Cardinal uniform Aug. 18 vs. Philadelphia, recording final 2 outs in 9th inning of 7-6 win...pitched in 3 of St. Louis' 8 postseason contests, firing 2.1-perfect innings (1so)...retired only batter faced in Game 2 of Division Series vs. Atlanta...finished Game 1 and Game 4 in League Championship Series vs. New York (2.0ip).
1999
Had injury-plagued season that included 3 seperate stints on Disabled List...opened year with Pittsburgh and was scored upon just oncwe in his 1st 7 games, logging 1.93 ERA over stretch (2er, 9.1ip)...was placed on 15-day Disabled List May 13 (retroactive to May 7) with neck strain...had 2 scoreless appearances (3.0ip) while pitching with double-A Altoona on rehab assignment...was reinstated from DL May 28...counting 2 outings prior to going on DL, made 13 consecutive scoreless appearances between May 5 and June 27, covering 12.1 innings...picked up saves in back-to-back outings June 25 and June 27...was placed on 15-day Disabled List July 30 with lower back inflammation...made 2 scoreless rehab appearances with triple-A Nashville before being reinstated Aug. 21...warmed up in bullpen and took mound Aug. 22 vs. Arizona, but could not pitch due to back and neck spasms...went back on DL Aug. 24 (retro to Aug. 23) and was reinstated on Sept. 23...had 4 scoreless appearances to end seaosn...held opponents to just .198 batting avg. against, including .205 mark with no homers to lefties...was successful on 3 of 5 save opportunites while stranding 15 of 19 inherited runners (78.9%).
1998
Spent entire season with Pirates, sharing club lead for appearances (60) with Ricardo Rincon...set career highs in innings pitched (64.2) and strikeouts (71)...also posted career-low 2.51 ERA...led Bucsb bullped in strikeouts and averaged 9.9 punchouts per 9.0 innings pitched...stranded 33 of 44 inherited runners (75.0%) and converted 6 of 10 save opportunites...went 1-1 with 0.89 ERA (3er, 30.1ip) in 1st 30 appearances, but slipped to 2-2 with 3.93 ERA (15er, 34.1ip) over his last 30 outings...tossed 12.1 scoreless frames Apr. 24-May 11...notched his 1st ML save June 3 vs. New York, tossing scoreless 9th inning in combined 3-0 shutout with Jon Lieber...recorded saves in 3 straight appearances July 17-25...struck out all 4 batters faced for his 4th save July 25 vs. Atlanta...surrendered 1st home run of season (FLA's Derek Lee) July 22, after going 39 games and 42.0 innings without serving up long ball...singled off Rockies' Dave Veres at Three Rivers Stadium for his 1st ML hit Aug. 4...surrendered Mark McGwirebs 63rd homer Sept. 15 at St. Louis (game one).
1997
Began season on 60-day Disabled List while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on left elbow August 1996...pitched in extended spring training program before joining double-A Carolina on rehab assignment May 23...was reinstated from DL June 19...made 1st appearance with Pittsburgh that night at New York and retired only 2 batters faced...was scored upon just twice (allowed solo homers Aug. 16 and Sept. 7) in his final 27 games, forging 0.75 ERA over span (2er, 24.0ip)...posted 0.59 ERA (1er, 15.1ip) in his last 19 appearances...was ejected by home plate umpire Mark Barron Sept. 3 after hitting Cleveland pitcher Orel Hershiser with pitch...won career-high 3 straight decisions July 15-Sept. 28...went 2-0 with 1.08 ERA in 19 home efforts (2er, 16.2ip).
1996
Began campaign on Pirates' Opening Day roster...picked up win in 1st appearance, Apr. 2 at Florida...tossed career-high 5.0 innings June 6 at Los Angeles...made 9 straight scoreless appearances June 17-July 14, spanning 10.0 innings...was optioned to triple-A Calgary on July 18...was 0-for-2 in save situations with Pittsburgh, but stranded 15 of 18 inherited baserunners (83.3%)...made 2 starts with Calgary before going on Disabled List for remainder of season Aug. 12 with left elbow strain...had arthroscopic surgery performed on left elbow Aug. 28 by Dr. Brian Jewell.
1995
Made Pittsburgh's Opening Day roster as true rookie and spent entire season with Pirates, logging 1-3 mark with 4.15 ERA...led club with 63 appearances, most by Bucs lefthanded rookie since John Smiley had 63 in 1987...did not surrender a run in his 1st 8 games (4.2ip) and was charged with just 2 earned runs in his 1st 23 outings (18.1ip, 0.98 ERA)...picked up 1st ML win May 18 at Los Angeles...went 1-0 with 1.78 ERA (5er, 25.1ip) in 1st 33 games...however, slipped to 0-3 with 6.10 ERA (21er, 31.0ip) over final 30 outings.
1994
Opened year at double-A Carolina...did not allow run in his last 9 appearances with Mudcats (13.0ip)...was promoted to triple-A Buffalo on June 20...tossed 12.1 scoreless innings over 13 appearances July 3-27...limited left-handed batters to .095 average (4-for-42)...was a combined 5-2 with 2.24 ERA in 61 games with Carolina and Buffalo.
1993
Spent bulk of season with class-A Salem...led club and finished 2nd in Carolina League with 57 appearances...was named to league All-Star team and tossed 1 scoreless inning of relief in game July 25...limited opposing batters to .189 average (48-for-253) while with Salem...was promoted to double-A Carolina on Aug. 31, where he appeared in 2 games (0er, 2.2ip).
1992
Began season with class-A Augusta...was promoted to single-A Salem in early May and led staff in appearances with 38...went combined 4-1 with 4 saves and 2.82 ERA in 48 games with 2 clubs.
1991
Split 1st professional season between Bradenton (rookie) and Welland (A)...went combined 1-1 with 1 save and 1.84 ERA...made lone start with Welland Aug. 12.
