Mark Anthony Eichhorn (born November 21, 1960) is a retired Major League Baseballpitcher best known for his tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays in the late 1980s and the early 1990s when he often served as a middle reliever/set-up man for All-Star closer Tom Henke. He was the 1986 American League Rookie Pitcher of the Year for the Blue Jays, a campaign in which he set team records for rookie relief in ERA, games, wins, and strikeouts.
Eichhorn made his major league debut with the Blue Jays in 1982 but suffered a severe shoulder injury after which he did not return to the majors until 1986. The shoulder injury had robbed Eichhorn of most of his fastball velocity and had forced him to turn to an unconventional sidearm motion in which his arm angle was well below the belt when he released the ball. Eichhorn was notable for an exceptionally low velocity for a major league pitcher though his control and unusual delivery made him an effective player.
In his first year of the new pitching style, 1986, he was the easy American League ERA leader with 1.78, .70 ahead of winner Roger Clemens, but fell 5 innings pitched short of qualifying for the award. Manager Jimy Williams offered him a chance to make those 5 innings with a start at the end of the season, but Eichhorn declined.[1]
Eichhorn pitched with four different ballclubs during his career: the Toronto Blue Jays (1982, 1986–1988, 1992–1993), Atlanta Braves (1989), California Angels (1990–1992, 1996), and Baltimore Orioles (1994). Eichhorn appeared in his final game on September 14, 1996.
Eichorn was a solid fielding pitcher in his 11-year major league career, posting a .992 fielding percentage, committing only two errors in 243 total chances over 885.2 innings and 563 games. His only miscues occurred on August 19, 1987, against the Oakland A's and on July 4, 1992, against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Mark coached his 12-year-old son, Kevin, on the Aptos Little League team which won the Little League West Regional and played in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in 2002, as chronicled in the movie Small Ball.
Kevin was later drafted in the third round, 104th overall, by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2008 MLB Draft, deciding to sign instead of attending Santa Clara University, where he had been committed since his junior year of high school.
On January 24, 2011, Kevin was traded to the Detroit Tigers organization in a deal for pitcher Armando Galarraga, pitching through the 2014 season, finishing with a career mark of 26-23 and a 3.73 ERA in 89 games.
Mark has five children, four sons and one daughter. Kevin (1990), Brian (1991), Steven (1995), Sarah (1999), and David (2001).
Referencesedit
^"Top 40 All-Time Greatest Blue Jays: #29 Mark Eichhorn". 10 April 2006.
External linksedit
Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
Pelota Binaria (Venezuelan Winter League)
October 27, 2023
mark, eichhorn, mark, anthony, eichhorn, born, november, 1960, retired, major, league, baseball, pitcher, best, known, tenure, with, toronto, blue, jays, late, 1980s, early, 1990s, when, often, served, middle, reliever, star, closer, henke, 1986, american, lea. Mark Anthony Eichhorn born November 21 1960 is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher best known for his tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays in the late 1980s and the early 1990s when he often served as a middle reliever set up man for All Star closer Tom Henke He was the 1986 American League Rookie Pitcher of the Year for the Blue Jays a campaign in which he set team records for rookie relief in ERA games wins and strikeouts Mark EichhornPitcherBorn 1960 11 21 November 21 1960 age 62 San Jose California U S Batted RightThrew RightMLB debutAugust 30 1982 for the Toronto Blue JaysLast MLB appearanceSeptember 14 1996 for the California AngelsMLB statisticsWin loss record48 43Earned run average3 00Strikeouts640Saves32TeamsToronto Blue Jays 1982 1986 1988 Atlanta Braves 1989 California Angels 1990 1992 Toronto Blue Jays 1992 1993 Baltimore Orioles 1994 California Angels 1996 Career highlights and awards2 World Series champion 1992 1993 Contents 1 Career 2 Children 3 References 4 External linksCareer editEichhorn made his major league debut with the Blue Jays in 1982 but suffered a severe shoulder injury after which he did not return to the majors until 1986 The shoulder injury had robbed Eichhorn of most of his fastball velocity and had forced him to turn to an unconventional sidearm motion in which his arm angle was well below the belt when he released the ball Eichhorn was notable for an exceptionally low velocity for a major league pitcher though his control and unusual delivery made him an effective player In his first year of the new pitching style 1986 he was the easy American League ERA leader with 1 78 70 ahead of winner Roger Clemens but fell 5 innings pitched short of qualifying for the award Manager Jimy Williams offered him a chance to make those 5 innings with a start at the end of the season but Eichhorn declined 1 Eichhorn pitched with four different ballclubs during his career the Toronto Blue Jays 1982 1986 1988 1992 1993 Atlanta Braves 1989 California Angels 1990 1992 1996 and Baltimore Orioles 1994 Eichhorn appeared in his final game on September 14 1996 Eichorn was a solid fielding pitcher in his 11 year major league career posting a 992 fielding percentage committing only two errors in 243 total chances over 885 2 innings and 563 games His only miscues occurred on August 19 1987 against the Oakland A s and on July 4 1992 against the Toronto Blue Jays Eichhorn is currently the pitching coach for Aptos High School in Aptos California Children editMark coached his 12 year old son Kevin on the Aptos Little League team which won the Little League West Regional and played in the Little League World Series in Williamsport Pennsylvania in 2002 as chronicled in the movie Small Ball Kevin was later drafted in the third round 104th overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2008 MLB Draft deciding to sign instead of attending Santa Clara University where he had been committed since his junior year of high school On January 24 2011 Kevin was traded to the Detroit Tigers organization in a deal for pitcher Armando Galarraga pitching through the 2014 season finishing with a career mark of 26 23 and a 3 73 ERA in 89 games Mark has five children four sons and one daughter Kevin 1990 Brian 1991 Steven 1995 Sarah 1999 and David 2001 References edit Top 40 All Time Greatest Blue Jays 29 Mark Eichhorn 10 April 2006 External links editCareer statistics and player information from Baseball Reference or Fangraphs or Baseball Reference Minors or Retrosheet Pelota Binaria Venezuelan Winter League Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mark Eichhorn amp oldid 1179818461, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
