Kevin Appier
Encyclopedia
Robert Kevin Appier is a former right-handed Major League Baseball
pitcher who played for the Kansas City Royals
, Oakland Athletics
, New York Mets
, and Anaheim Angels
.
and New York Yankees
. He was the opening day starter in and posted a 15-8 record with the league's second-best ERA (2.46) for a team that only went 72-90. Highlights of the season included a career-high nine game winning streak and the American League Pitcher of the Month award for the month of July, in which he went 4-0 with a 1.55 ERA. In , Appier posted an 18-8 record with an AL leading 2.56 ERA, set a club record of 33 consecutive scoreless innings, and finished third in Cy Young Award balloting. In , he was selected for his only all star team, pitching 2 perfect innings for the American League. He reached a career high in strikeouts in with 207, and won his first of two Roberto Clemente Awards (the other in ). Appier suffered through his first sub-.500 season in 1997, despite posting a 3.40 ERA (7th best in AL)
Despite being one of the better pitchers in baseball during this time period, his accomplishments went largely unrecognized due to playing for the Royals, a small market team that was generally not in contention during Appier's tenure. In , under the promise of the team's improvement, he signed a long-term extension. During that off-season, he suffered a fall at his home resulting in a separated clavicle. Though he had recovered from that injury, in March 1998 he needed surgery for an unrelated long-term progressing shoulder ailment, the repair of a torn labrum, causing him to miss nearly the entire 1998 season. In , after losing faith in the Royal's direction, and being eager to play with a contender, he requested to be traded and was dealt to the Athletics in the middle of the season.
West title in , Appier provided a solid veteran arm in support of Oakland's developing young starters, making his 8th Opening Day start and winning 15 games for the fifth time in his career. Despite a good showing, he lost his only start in that year's ALDS when the Athletics were shut out. In Game 5, after the Yankees scored 6 runs in the first inning, Appier (for the first time in 10 years) came in to relieve in the 2nd inning, pitching four innings and allowing one run. For the series, Appier posted a 3.48 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 10.1 innings pitched.
after the season, Appier signed a contract with the New York Mets, with which he tied for the team lead in wins, going 11-10 with a 3.57 ERA and went undefeated in his final 12 appearances, going 6-0 during that span. Making a playoff push, the Mets went 6-0 in his final six starts with Appier going 4-0 with a 1.87 ERA.
. During a solid season with the World Series winning Angels in , Appier went 14-12 with a 3.92 ERA. In Game 2 of the division series, Appier went 5 innings, giving up 3 runs, and left the game leading 4-3, but received a no-decision in the Angels victory after a blown save by Francisco Rodriguez. In game 1 of the ALCS, Appier went 5 innings in a 2-1 loss against the Minnesota Twins
. He also started game 5, going 5.1 innings, and leaving the contest with the Angels leading 3-2 in the game that put Anaheim in the World Series, though he once again did not receive the decision. He finished the ALCS with a 3.48 ERA. Starting game 2 of the World Series, Appier did not factor into the decision after a terrible 5 runs in 2+ innings pitched, as the Angels went on to win the game 11-10. With the Angels facing elimination, Appier started Game 6, pitching four innings of shutout ball before yielding a 5th inning 2-run HR, and leaving with a man on base who eventually scored via stolen base and wild pitch off Francisco Rodriguez, leaving him with an 11.37 ERA for the series, which the Angels won in seven games.
In , Appier was plagued with a previously undiagnosed flexor tendon injury and was eventually released at the end of July. He then signed with the Royals, but after five starts needed surgery. After missing most of , Appier briefly retired, but came out of retirement and was re-signed by the Royals to a minor-league contract before the season, failing to make the team in Spring Training
and retiring on March 29. In October, Appier applied for reinstatement with Major League Baseball
and signed a minor-league contract with the Seattle Mariners
. During 10 games with the AAA Tacoma Rainiers
, Appier was 1-2 with a 4.54 ERA. On June 3, , Appier asked for and was granted his release by the Mariners, officially retiring the next month.
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...
pitcher who played for 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...
, 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....
, 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...
, and Anaheim Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
.
Kansas City Royals
Appier had a strong rookie campaign for the Royals in , going 12-8 and posting the league's fourth-best ERA (2.76) earning him Rookie Pitcher of the Year honors. In , he had 13 wins (tied for the team best), and pitched 3 shutouts, two of which were back to back against the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and 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...
. He was the opening day starter in and posted a 15-8 record with the league's second-best ERA (2.46) for a team that only went 72-90. Highlights of the season included a career-high nine game winning streak and the American League Pitcher of the Month award for the month of July, in which he went 4-0 with a 1.55 ERA. In , Appier posted an 18-8 record with an AL leading 2.56 ERA, set a club record of 33 consecutive scoreless innings, and finished third in Cy Young Award balloting. In , he was selected for his only all star team, pitching 2 perfect innings for the American League. He reached a career high in strikeouts in with 207, and won his first of two Roberto Clemente Awards (the other in ). Appier suffered through his first sub-.500 season in 1997, despite posting a 3.40 ERA (7th best in AL)
Despite being one of the better pitchers in baseball during this time period, his accomplishments went largely unrecognized due to playing for the Royals, a small market team that was generally not in contention during Appier's tenure. In , under the promise of the team's improvement, he signed a long-term extension. During that off-season, he suffered a fall at his home resulting in a separated clavicle. Though he had recovered from that injury, in March 1998 he needed surgery for an unrelated long-term progressing shoulder ailment, the repair of a torn labrum, causing him to miss nearly the entire 1998 season. In , after losing faith in the Royal's direction, and being eager to play with a contender, he requested to be traded and was dealt to the Athletics in the middle of the season.
Oakland Athletics
As the Athletics made their surprising run winning the American LeagueAmerican League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
West title in , Appier provided a solid veteran arm in support of Oakland's developing young starters, making his 8th Opening Day start and winning 15 games for the fifth time in his career. Despite a good showing, he lost his only start in that year's ALDS when the Athletics were shut out. In Game 5, after the Yankees scored 6 runs in the first inning, Appier (for the first time in 10 years) came in to relieve in the 2nd inning, pitching four innings and allowing one run. For the series, Appier posted a 3.48 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 10.1 innings pitched.
New York Mets
A free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
after the season, Appier signed a contract with the New York Mets, with which he tied for the team lead in wins, going 11-10 with a 3.57 ERA and went undefeated in his final 12 appearances, going 6-0 during that span. Making a playoff push, the Mets went 6-0 in his final six starts with Appier going 4-0 with a 1.87 ERA.
Anaheim Angels
After the one season campaign in New York, Appier was traded to Anaheim for Mo VaughnMo Vaughn
Maurice Samuel 'Mo' Vaughn , nicknamed "The Hit Dog", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played from 1991 to 2003...
. During a solid season with the World Series winning Angels in , Appier went 14-12 with a 3.92 ERA. In Game 2 of the division series, Appier went 5 innings, giving up 3 runs, and left the game leading 4-3, but received a no-decision in the Angels victory after a blown save by Francisco Rodriguez. In game 1 of the ALCS, Appier went 5 innings in a 2-1 loss against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. He also started game 5, going 5.1 innings, and leaving the contest with the Angels leading 3-2 in the game that put Anaheim in the World Series, though he once again did not receive the decision. He finished the ALCS with a 3.48 ERA. Starting game 2 of the World Series, Appier did not factor into the decision after a terrible 5 runs in 2+ innings pitched, as the Angels went on to win the game 11-10. With the Angels facing elimination, Appier started Game 6, pitching four innings of shutout ball before yielding a 5th inning 2-run HR, and leaving with a man on base who eventually scored via stolen base and wild pitch off Francisco Rodriguez, leaving him with an 11.37 ERA for the series, which the Angels won in seven games.
In , Appier was plagued with a previously undiagnosed flexor tendon injury and was eventually released at the end of July. He then signed with the Royals, but after five starts needed surgery. After missing most of , Appier briefly retired, but came out of retirement and was re-signed by the Royals to a minor-league contract before the season, failing to make the team in Spring Training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
and retiring on March 29. In October, Appier applied for reinstatement with Major League Baseball
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...
and signed a minor-league contract with 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...
. During 10 games with the AAA Tacoma Rainiers
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...
, Appier was 1-2 with a 4.54 ERA. On June 3, , Appier asked for and was granted his release by the Mariners, officially retiring the next month.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball ERA champions
- Top 100 strikeout pitchers of all timeTop 100 strikeout pitchers of all timeIn baseball, a strikeout occurs when the batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. Strikeouts are associated with dominance on the part of the pitcher and failure on the part of the batter....