Stefan Andrew Karsay (born March 24, 1972) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics (1993–94, 1997, 2006), Cleveland Indians (1998–2001), Atlanta Braves (2001), New York Yankees (2002, 2004–05), and Texas Rangers (2005). He later served as the bullpen coach for the Milwaukee Brewers (2019–2021). He is the current bullpen coach for the Los Angeles Angels.
| Steve Karsay | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Karsay at As Sayliyah Army Base in 2009 | |
| Los Angeles Angels – No. 86 | |
| Pitcher / Coach | |
| Born: March 24, 1972 Flushing, New York, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 17, 1993, for the Oakland Athletics | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 17, 2006, for the Oakland Athletics | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 32–39 |
| Earned run average | 4.01 |
| Strikeouts | 458 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
As coach
| |
Early life and amateur career
editKarsay grew up in the College Point neighborhood in Queens, New York City, just a few miles from Shea Stadium.[1] Karsay was a "star pitcher" at Christ the King Regional High School in Middle Village, Queens. He initially committed to play college baseball at Louisiana State.[2] He was named the Gatorade High School Baseball Player of the Year for New York in 1990.[3]
Professional career
editA 1st round draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 1990, Karsay was traded to the Athletics along with outfielder José Herrera for Rickey Henderson on July 31, 1993. A starter in his early days with the Athletics, Karsay worked mostly in middle relief and as a set-up man from 1998 on, although he also had some notable success as a closer in 2000 with the Indians and 2002 with the Yankees.
His career was marred by injuries, causing him to miss the 1995 (elbow surgery), 1996 (Tommy John surgery) and 2003 (shoulder surgery) seasons; in all, he was on the disabled list seven times.[4]
On July 28, 2005, together with Scott Feldman and A. J. Murray, he threw a perfect game against the Corpus Christi Hooks. It was the first combined nine-inning perfect game in Texas League history, and the third overall.[5][6]
Finally, at age 34, Karsay announced his retirement on June 18, 2006, the day after pitching two scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers and getting the win in a 17-inning marathon for the Athletics. He finished his 11-year Major League career with a 32–39 record, 41 saves, and a 4.01 ERA in 357 career appearances, including 40 starts.[7][8]
Coaching
editIn 2012 the Cleveland Indians hired Karsay as pitching coach for the rookie-level AZL Indians.[9] In 2016, Karsay was promoted to be the pitching coach for the Cleveland Indians Class-AAA affiliate, the Columbus Clippers.[10]
Karsay was hired by the Milwaukee Brewers as their bullpen coach on November 19, 2018.[11] He stepped down following the 2021 season to spend more time with his family.[12]
On November 30, 2023, Karsay was hired as the new Los Angeles Angels bullpen coach.[13]
References
edit- ^ "Closing suits Karsay", The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, June 25, 2001, "Karsay, 29, grew up in College Point, NY, five miles from Shea Stadium."
- ^ Harvin, Al (June 5, 1990). "Xaverian Takes Title In Catholic League". New York Times. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
- ^ "Steve Karsay 1989 - 1990 NEW YORK BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR". playeroftheyear.gatorade.com. Gatorade. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
- ^ Ryan Quinn. Notes: Karsay returns to Oakland, MLB.com, 5/16/2006 [permanent dead link]
- ^ "Baseball America's Daily Dish", Baseball America, 7/29/05, accessed 8/14/09
- ^ Rajan, Greg, "Pitchers perfect: It's 27 up, 27 down as CC falls to Frisco", Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 7/29/05, accessed 8/14/09 [permanent dead link]
- ^ Press Release. A's reliever Karsay announces retirement, Oakland Athletics, 6/18/2006.[dead link]
- ^ Rick Eymer. Notes: Karsay ends career the right way, MLB.com, 6/18/2006[dead link]
- ^ "Steve Karsay, Scott Erickson hired as minor league pitching coaches by Cleveland Indians". Cleveland. February 2, 2011.
- ^ http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?ymd=20090105&content_id=490989&sid=t249&vkey=roster [bare URL]
- ^ Hoynes, Paul (November 20, 2018). "Class AAA pitching coach Steve Karsay leaves Cleveland Indians to become Milwaukee Brewers' bullpen coach". Cleveland.com.
- ^ McCalvy, Adam (January 18, 2022). "Henderson, Erickson Promoted to MLB Staff". Milwaukee Brewers. Major League Baseball. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ "Angels Hire New Bullpen Coach Under Ron Washington". November 28, 2023.
External links
edit
- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)