Joel Hanrahan
Encyclopedia
Joel Ryan Hanrahan nicknamed The Hammer, is a Major League Baseball
right-handed pitcher
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
.
in Norwalk, Iowa
, he turned down a scholarship
to play baseball at the University of Nebraska and entered the June 2000 Major League Baseball Draft. At that time, he was ranked as the 70th-best prospect in the nation by Baseball America
. He was drafted in the second round (#57) and signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers
.
In his first full season with Dodgers Triple-A
affiliate, the Las Vegas 51s, Hanrahan went 7-7 with an Earned Run Average
of 5.05 in 25 games. He ranked second on the club with 22 starts and third with 119.1 innings pitched. He batted .281 on the season and hit a home run on May 4 against Tucson and posted a 4.11 ERA at home and 6.39 mark on the road in the Pacific Coast League
.
. In that game, he gave up three runs in six innings, striking out seven, and hitting a triple in his first at-bat. He did not receive a decision, but the Nationals defeated the Mets 6–5. One week later on August 4, 2007, Hanrahan got his first big league victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, allowing 1 run and 6 hits in 5 2/3 innings, and helping his cause by hitting a 2-run double. In late 2008, after the trades of Jon Rauch
and Luis Ayala
, Hanrahan was named the closer
. He finished the season with 9 saves as well as striking out 93 batters in 84.1 innings pitched.
He competed on Team USA for the 2009 World Baseball Classic
after an injury to BJ Ryan.
to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Nyjer Morgan
and Sean Burnett
.
On July 9, 2009, Hanrahan earned a win for the Nats while on the Pirates roster when the Nats beat the Astros in the bottom of the 11th in the completion of a game from May 5 because he was the pitcher of record, recording the final out for the Nats in the top of the 11th. The incident becomes even more peculiar because Hanrahan said that at the time of the win, he was taking a nap at home.
Hanrahan had a successful 2010 season, he struck out 100 batters in 69 2/3 innings and became the Pirates' closer at the end of the season.
On February 16, 2011 Pirates' manager Clint Hurdle
announced Hanrahan as the opening day closer for the Pirates. He was named the DHL Delivery Man Award winner for the month of June 2011.
Hanrahan was named to the All-Star game in 2011, garnered a career high 40 saves in one season, and finished the year with a 1.83 ERA.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
right-handed 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...
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
.
Los Angeles Dodgers
After graduating Norwalk High SchoolNorwalk High School (Iowa)
Norwalk High School is located in the town of Norwalk, Iowa, which is roughly five miles south of Des Moines...
in Norwalk, Iowa
Norwalk, Iowa
Norwalk is a city in Polk and Warren counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 6,884 at the 2000 census. The city is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area and is located just south of the Des Moines International Airport.-History:The first log cabin...
, he turned down a scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
to play baseball at the University of Nebraska and entered the June 2000 Major League Baseball Draft. At that time, he was ranked as the 70th-best prospect in the nation 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...
. He was drafted in the second round (#57) and signed by 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...
.
In his first full season with Dodgers Triple-A
AAA (baseball)
Triple-A refers to the highest level of play in minor league baseball in the United States and Mexico.-Purpose:Triple-A teams' main purpose is to prepare players for the Major Leagues:...
affiliate, the Las Vegas 51s, Hanrahan went 7-7 with an Earned Run Average
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...
of 5.05 in 25 games. He ranked second on the club with 22 starts and third with 119.1 innings pitched. He batted .281 on the season and hit a home run on May 4 against Tucson and posted a 4.11 ERA at home and 6.39 mark on the road in the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
.
Washington Nationals
After the season, Hanrahan opted for minor league free agency, and five days later, on November 6, 2006 the Washington Nationals signed him to a one-year contract. He did not make the team out of spring training, and so started with AAA-Columbus, starting 17 games, going 5–4 with a 3.70 ERA. The Nationals, their starting pitching decimated by injuries, purchased Hanrahan's contract in late July, and on July 28, 2007, Hanrahan made his major league debut against the New York MetsNew 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...
. In that game, he gave up three runs in six innings, striking out seven, and hitting a triple in his first at-bat. He did not receive a decision, but the Nationals defeated the Mets 6–5. One week later on August 4, 2007, Hanrahan got his first big league victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, allowing 1 run and 6 hits in 5 2/3 innings, and helping his cause by hitting a 2-run double. In late 2008, after the trades of Jon Rauch
Jon Rauch
Jon Erich Rauch is a right-handed relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. At 6' 11" , he is the tallest player in Major League Baseball history. He is also an Olympic Gold Medalist.-Early years:...
and Luis Ayala
Luis Ayala
Luis Ignacio Ayala is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He is 6' 2" and weighs 190 lbs. and bats and throws right-handed.-Mexican League:...
, Hanrahan was named the closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
. He finished the season with 9 saves as well as striking out 93 batters in 84.1 innings pitched.
He competed on Team USA for the 2009 World Baseball Classic
2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
after an injury to BJ Ryan.
Pittsburgh Pirates
On June 30, 2009 the Nationals traded Hanrahan and Lastings MilledgeLastings Milledge
Lastings Darnell Milledge is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He was the youngest player in the National League during the 2006 season.-Early life:Milledge was born in Bradenton, Florida...
to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Nyjer Morgan
Nyjer Morgan
Nyjer Jamid Morgan nicknamed Tony Plush is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers....
and Sean Burnett
Sean Burnett
Sean Richard Burnett is a relief pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round in 2000 after leading Wellington High School to a 6A State Title in his senior year.Known for his change-up, remarkable control, presence,...
.
On July 9, 2009, Hanrahan earned a win for the Nats while on the Pirates roster when the Nats beat the Astros in the bottom of the 11th in the completion of a game from May 5 because he was the pitcher of record, recording the final out for the Nats in the top of the 11th. The incident becomes even more peculiar because Hanrahan said that at the time of the win, he was taking a nap at home.
Hanrahan had a successful 2010 season, he struck out 100 batters in 69 2/3 innings and became the Pirates' closer at the end of the season.
On February 16, 2011 Pirates' manager Clint Hurdle
Clint Hurdle
Clinton Merrick Hurdle is a former Major League Baseball outfielder whose 10-year career was spent with the Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals. After retiring from playing baseball, Hurdle became a manager...
announced Hanrahan as the opening day closer for the Pirates. He was named the DHL Delivery Man Award winner for the month of June 2011.
Hanrahan was named to the All-Star game in 2011, garnered a career high 40 saves in one season, and finished the year with a 1.83 ERA.