Tony Mounce
Encyclopedia
Anthony David Mounce is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
. He pitched in 11 games (starting all 11) for the Texas Rangers
in , winning 1 and losing 5.
Mounce was originally selected by the Houston Astros
in the 7th round of the 1994 Major League Baseball Draft
. Over the next five seasons, he worked his way up to the Astros' farm system as a starting pitcher
. In , after having been converted into a relief pitcher
, he made it to their Class AAA team, the New Orleans Zephyrs
. He pitched 14 games (11 innings) with a 2.45 ERA, but was released by the Astros at the end of spring training
, .
Mounce was signed by the Rangers on May 1, and they began his conversion back into a starter. After missing the entire season, he once again started his climb up the organizational ladder, and by mid-2003 he had finally made it all the way to the major leagues, making his debut against the Florida Marlins
in an interleague game
, which the Rangers lost 8-0.
Mounce gained his lone major league win on July 3 against the Anaheim Angels
. It was not pretty, as Mounce gave up 3 runs on 6 hits in 5⅓ innings, but the Rangers' bullpen held on for a 6-5 victory. Three weeks later, Mounce was sent back to the minors. He received a September call-up, pitching 3 more games, and was then released after the season. Mounce's major league career was over, though he did pitch part of with the Yakult Swallows
.
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
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...
. He pitched in 11 games (starting all 11) for 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...
in , winning 1 and losing 5.
Mounce was originally selected by the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
in the 7th round of the 1994 Major League Baseball Draft
1994 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1994 Major League Baseball draft.-Compensation picks:-Other notable players:*A.J. Pierzynski , Minnesota Twins, 3rd round*Bobby Howry , San Francisco Giants, 5th round...
. Over the next five seasons, he worked his way up to the Astros' farm system as a starting pitcher
Starting 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....
. In , after having been converted into a relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
, he made it to their Class AAA team, the New Orleans Zephyrs
New Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
. He pitched 14 games (11 innings) with a 2.45 ERA, but was released by the Astros at the end of 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...
, .
Mounce was signed by the Rangers on May 1, and they began his conversion back into a starter. After missing the entire season, he once again started his climb up the organizational ladder, and by mid-2003 he had finally made it all the way to the major leagues, making his debut against the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
in an interleague game
Interleague play
Interleague play is the term used to describe regular season Major League Baseball games played between teams in different leagues, introduced in . Before the 1997 season, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season...
, which the Rangers lost 8-0.
Mounce gained his lone major league win on July 3 against the 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...
. It was not pretty, as Mounce gave up 3 runs on 6 hits in 5⅓ innings, but the Rangers' bullpen held on for a 6-5 victory. Three weeks later, Mounce was sent back to the minors. He received a September call-up, pitching 3 more games, and was then released after the season. Mounce's major league career was over, though he did pitch part of with the Yakult Swallows
Tokyo Yakult Swallows
is a professional baseball team in Japan's Central League.The Swallows are named after their corporate owners, the Yakult Corporation. From 1950 to 1965, the team was owned by the former Japanese National Railways and called the Kokutetsu Swallows; the team was then owned by the newspaper Sankei...
.