Jason Bere

Jason Phillip Bere (born May 26, 1971) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and current bullpen coach for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for parts of 11 seasons from 1993 to 2003, for the Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, and Indians. He was elected to the 1994 MLB All-Star Game, but injuries limited his playing career.

Early life

Bere was raised in Wilmington, Massachusetts and attended Wilmington High School and Middlesex Community College. Scouts of the Chicago White Sox saw Bere pitch, and as a result, they selected him in the 36th round of the 1990 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft.

Professional career

Bere signed with the White Sox, receiving a $2,000 signing bonus. In 1993, Baseball America rated Bere as the eighth-best prospect in baseball. He made his MLB debut in 1993, pitching to a 12–5 win-loss record and a 3.47 earned run average (ERA). He won his final seven games started, helping the White Sox win the American League (AL) West Division championship. He finished second in AL Rookie of the Year Award voting, behind Tim Salmon. He was elected to represent the AL in the 1994 MLB All-Star Game. He finished the year with a 12–2 win-loss record, leading the AL with a .857 winning percentage.