Brett Tomko
Encyclopedia
Brett Daniel Tomko is an American
professional baseball
pitcher
who is a free agent. He has played for the Cincinnati Reds
, San Diego Padres
, Seattle Mariners
, St. Louis Cardinals
, San Francisco Giants
, Los Angeles Dodgers
, Kansas City Royals
, the New York Yankees
, and the Oakland Athletics
.
and baseball
.
for one season in , leading the team to the NCAA Division II National Championship. He went 15-2 with a 1.35 ERA
and struck out
154 batters in 126.3 innings that season, with opponents hitting
just .180 against him. He pitched two complete game
shutout
s in the Championship Series, including one in the final game, earning him the Tournament's "outstanding player" award. In addition, he won both the NCAA Division II Pitcher and Player of the Year Awards by the American Baseball Coaches Association.
http://www.mtsac.edu (Walnut, CA) for a year. In 1995, he was drafted in the 2nd round by the Cincinnati Reds. He signed with the Reds on June 28, 1995.
He pitched for three years in the Reds minor league system, making stops at Charleston in 1995, Chattanooga
in (where he was named the Reds' top prospect by Baseball America
) and Indianapolis
in before getting called up to the Major Leagues during the season.
, against the Philadelphia Phillies
on May 27, 1997. He pitched 6 innings and gave up 2 runs
while taking the loss in the Reds 2-1 defeat.
He got his first victory
in his next start on June 6, against the New York Mets
. He pitched 6 innings, gave up one run and struck out seven in the Reds 5-2 victory.
He remained in the Reds starting rotation for three seasons until he was traded on February 10, , to the Seattle Mariners
, along with Antonio Pérez, Jake Meyer, and Mike Cameron
for Ken Griffey, Jr.
. Seattle used him primarily as a reliever and spot starter during the next two seasons. He also spent some time with Seattle's Triple-A team in Tacoma
in both 2000 & .
On December 11, 2001, the Mariners traded Tomko (along with Ramón Vázquez
, Tom Lampkin
and cash) to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Wascar Serrano
, Alex Arias
and Ben Davis
. He returned to the starting rotation with San Diego, making 32 starts, his most since with the Reds.
He was traded again, almost exactly a year later (December 15) to the St. Louis Cardinals
for Mike Wodnicki and Luther Hackman
. Tomko won 13 games in his only season in St. Louis.
He signed with the San Francisco Giants
as a free agent prior to the season and pitched with them for two seasons. Tomko's tenure with the Giants effectively ended when the team declined to offer him salary arbitration before the season.
On December 21, , he agreed to a two-year contract worth a reported $8.7 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers
. He pitched both as a starter and a reliever during his two seasons in Los Angeles. During his time with the Dodgers, Tomko's poor pitching and propensity to give up home run
s led to Dodger fans giving him the nickname "Bombko".
He was designated for assignment
on August 24, , after a poor season with the Dodgers in which he went 2-11 with a 5.80 ERA in 33 games (15 starts). After being designated for assignment by the Dodgers, he was signed by the San Diego Padres
. On January 20, he signed with the Kansas City Royals
.
On June 12, 2008, the Royals designated Tomko for assignment and on June 20, 2008, he was released. He signed with the San Diego Padres on June 27, 2008, but was released on September 1.
On February 13, 2009, the New York Yankees
signed Tomko to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. He began the season with Triple-A Scranton. He was called up by the Yankees on May 9. Tomko was designated for assignment on July 21, 2009, to make room on the roster for Sergio Mitre
. He criticized the Yankees for not using him enough, despite his excellent spring training and minor league numbers, and said his 5.25 ERA was due to a lack of use. He was released on July 29.
He then signed with Oakland Athletics
. On August 17, 2009, Tomko defeated the Yankees in his first start for Oakland. He resigned with Oakland during the 2009-2010 offseason and rehabbed with the Sacramento River Cats
.
On February 19, 2011, the Texas Rangers
signed Tomko to a minor league contract with no invitation to spring training. On April 20, the Rangers purchased his contract from the minors and called him up. He was outrighted to Triple-A on May 27. After the 2011 season, he elected for free agency.
Julia Schultz (February 1998) in November 2003.
Tomko is an artist, currently training with famous sports artist Opie Otterstad
.
Tomko's father won a contest of over 11,000 entries in The Plain Dealer for naming the Cleveland Cavaliers
NBA team. His entry stated, "The name Cleveland Cavaliers represents a group of daring, fearless men whose life's pact was never surrender, no matter what the odds."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who is a free agent. He has played for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
, St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, and the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
.
High school years
Tomko attended El Dorado High School (Placentia, CA) and was a letter winner in basketballBasketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
and baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
.
College years
Tomko attended Florida Southern CollegeFlorida Southern College
Florida Southern College is a private college located in Lakeland, Florida, United States. It was selected by U.S...
for one season in , leading the team to the NCAA Division II National Championship. He went 15-2 with a 1.35 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
and struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
154 batters in 126.3 innings that season, with opponents hitting
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
just .180 against him. He pitched two complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s in the Championship Series, including one in the final game, earning him the Tournament's "outstanding player" award. In addition, he won both the NCAA Division II Pitcher and Player of the Year Awards by the American Baseball Coaches Association.
Draft & minor league years
Tomko had been drafted out of high school by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 20th round of the draft, but chose to attend college at Mt. San Antonio CollegeMt. San Antonio College
Mt. San Antonio College is a community college located in the Los Angeles suburb of Walnut, California, 2.12 miles west of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona ....
http://www.mtsac.edu (Walnut, CA) for a year. In 1995, he was drafted in the 2nd round by the Cincinnati Reds. He signed with the Reds on June 28, 1995.
He pitched for three years in the Reds minor league system, making stops at Charleston in 1995, Chattanooga
Chattanooga Lookouts
The Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team, which plays in the Southern League, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts...
in (where he was named the Reds' top prospect by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
) and Indianapolis
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
in before getting called up to the Major Leagues during the season.
Major League Baseball
Tomko made his first major league appearance, and first major league startStarting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
, against the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
on May 27, 1997. He pitched 6 innings and gave up 2 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
while taking the loss in the Reds 2-1 defeat.
He got his first victory
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
in his next start on June 6, against the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. He pitched 6 innings, gave up one run and struck out seven in the Reds 5-2 victory.
He remained in the Reds starting rotation for three seasons until he was traded on February 10, , to the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
, along with Antonio Pérez, Jake Meyer, and Mike Cameron
Mike Cameron
Michael Terrance Cameron is an American professional baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. He has previously played for the Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, and Florida Marlins.Cameron has won 3...
for Ken Griffey, Jr.
Ken Griffey, Jr.
George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr. , nicknamed "Junior" and "The Kid", is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and during his final years, designated hitter...
. Seattle used him primarily as a reliever and spot starter during the next two seasons. He also spent some time with Seattle's Triple-A team in Tacoma
Tacoma Rainiers
The Tacoma Rainiers are a minor league baseball team that plays in the Pacific Coast League , and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners...
in both 2000 & .
On December 11, 2001, the Mariners traded Tomko (along with Ramón Vázquez
Ramón Vázquez
Ramón Luis Vázquez is a Puerto Rican professional baseball infielder. Vázquez has played with the Seattle Mariners , San Diego Padres , Boston Red Sox , Cleveland Indians , Texas Rangers , and Pittsburgh Pirates...
, Tom Lampkin
Tom Lampkin
Thomas Michael Lampkin is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played in , -, and -. He is currently a cable FSN baseball analyst for the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League in AAA baseball....
and cash) to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Wascar Serrano
Wascar Serrano
Wascar Radames Serrano is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played part of one season in Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres in 2001...
, Alex Arias
Alex Arias
Alejandro Arias is a former infielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1992–2002....
and Ben Davis
Ben Davis (baseball)
Mark Christopher "Ben" Davis is a former Major League Baseball catcher. Davis began his career as a promising catcher, but converted to a pitcher in...
. He returned to the starting rotation with San Diego, making 32 starts, his most since with the Reds.
He was traded again, almost exactly a year later (December 15) to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for Mike Wodnicki and Luther Hackman
Luther Hackman
Luther Gean Hackman is a professional pitcher for various baseball teams.-Career:Hackman was selected by Colorado Rockies in 6th round of the 1994 Major League Baseball Draft. He has played at the major league level for the Colorado Rockies, St...
. Tomko won 13 games in his only season in St. Louis.
He signed with the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
as a free agent prior to the season and pitched with them for two seasons. Tomko's tenure with the Giants effectively ended when the team declined to offer him salary arbitration before the season.
On December 21, , he agreed to a two-year contract worth a reported $8.7 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. He pitched both as a starter and a reliever during his two seasons in Los Angeles. During his time with the Dodgers, Tomko's poor pitching and propensity to give up home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s led to Dodger fans giving him the nickname "Bombko".
He was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
on August 24, , after a poor season with the Dodgers in which he went 2-11 with a 5.80 ERA in 33 games (15 starts). After being designated for assignment by the Dodgers, he was signed by the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. On January 20, he signed with the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
.
On June 12, 2008, the Royals designated Tomko for assignment and on June 20, 2008, he was released. He signed with the San Diego Padres on June 27, 2008, but was released on September 1.
On February 13, 2009, the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
signed Tomko to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. He began the season with Triple-A Scranton. He was called up by the Yankees on May 9. Tomko was designated for assignment on July 21, 2009, to make room on the roster for Sergio Mitre
Sergio Mitre
Sergio Armando Mitre is a American professional baseball pitcher.-Background:Mitre is of Mexican American descent. He grew up in Tijuana, Mexico, where he trained in the arts of kenpo, boxing and wrestling due to frequent street fights.Mitre graduated from Montgomery High School in San Diego,...
. He criticized the Yankees for not using him enough, despite his excellent spring training and minor league numbers, and said his 5.25 ERA was due to a lack of use. He was released on July 29.
He then signed with Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. On August 17, 2009, Tomko defeated the Yankees in his first start for Oakland. He resigned with Oakland during the 2009-2010 offseason and rehabbed with the Sacramento River Cats
Sacramento River Cats
The Sacramento River Cats is a minor league baseball team based in Sacramento, California. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and is the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics....
.
On February 19, 2011, the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
signed Tomko to a minor league contract with no invitation to spring training. On April 20, the Rangers purchased his contract from the minors and called him up. He was outrighted to Triple-A on May 27. After the 2011 season, he elected for free agency.
Personal life
Tomko married Playboy PlaymatePlaymate
A Playmate is a female model featured in the centerfold/gatefold of Playboy magazine as Playmate of the Month . The PMOM's pictorial includes nude photographs and a centerfold poster, as well as a short biography and the "Playmate Data Sheet", which lists her birthdate, measurements, turn-ons, and...
Julia Schultz (February 1998) in November 2003.
Tomko is an artist, currently training with famous sports artist Opie Otterstad
Opie Otterstad
Opie Otterstad is a painter who specializes in paintings of sports figures and events. He graduated from St. Olaf College with a Bachelors Degree in Studio Art and one in Psychology...
.
Tomko's father won a contest of over 11,000 entries in The Plain Dealer for naming the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
NBA team. His entry stated, "The name Cleveland Cavaliers represents a group of daring, fearless men whose life's pact was never surrender, no matter what the odds."