Kyle Farnsworth

Kyle Lynn Farnsworth (born April 14, 1976) is a former professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Chicago Cubs (1999–2004), Detroit Tigers (2005, 2008), Atlanta Braves (2005, 2010), New York Yankees (2006–2008), Kansas City Royals (2009–2010), Tampa Bay Rays (2011–2013), Pittsburgh Pirates (2013), New York Mets (2014), Houston Astros (2014) in the MLB, for the Pericos de Puebla (2015) of the Mexican League and for the Broncos de Reynosa (2016) of the Mexican League. In 2017, Farnsworth was the pitching coach for the Brookhaven Bucks of the Sunbelt Baseball League.[1]

Kyle Farnsworth
Farnsworth with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012
Pitcher
Born: (1976-04-14) April 14, 1976
Wichita, Kansas
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 29, 1999, for the Chicago Cubs
Last MLB appearance
June 25, 2014, for the Houston Astros
MLB statistics
Win–loss record43–66
Earned run average4.26
Strikeouts963
Teams

High school and college

Farnsworth graduated from Milton High School in Alpharetta, Georgia, in 1994.[2] During high school, he played baseball, basketball, and football. He continued to play baseball in college at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) in Tifton, Georgia. Farnsworth is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[3] Kyle was inducted into the ABAC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011.[4]

Major league career

Chicago Cubs

Farnsworth was drafted in the 47th round by the Chicago Cubs in 1994. He did not sign until May 12, 1995 after playing briefly at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.[5] He played for the Cubs from 1999 to 2004. He was the winning pitcher in the final baseball game played at Three Rivers Stadium on October 1, 2000. Farnsworth was involved in a brawl in the 2003 season, against the Cincinnati Reds. Reds pitcher Paul Wilson stepped out of the batter's box after an inside pitch, and started to yell at Farnsworth. Farnsworth then met Wilson a short distance from home plate, and speared him to the ground. He was suspended three games for his actions, but MLB reduced the suspension to two games.[6]

In the 2004 season, Farnsworth angrily kicked an electric fan in the Cubs' dugout after an outing in which he gave up six runs in one inning to the Houston Astros. Farnsworth ended up severely bruising and spraining his knee in the process, and was placed on the disabled list as a result.[7]

First stint with the Detroit Tigers

On February 9, 2005, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Roberto Novoa, Scott Moore and Bo Flowers. Farnsworth was involved in a bench-clearing fight in the 2005 season while playing for the Detroit Tigers, against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. After order appeared to have been restored, Farnsworth tackled Royals pitcher Jeremy Affeldt. Farnsworth was ejected from the game.[8]

First stint with the Atlanta Braves

On July 31, 2005, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves for pitchers Zach Miner and Román Colón.[9]

Farnsworth pitching for the New York Yankees in 2007.

New York Yankees

Following the season, Farnsworth signed with the New York Yankees, replacing Tom Gordon as the team's primary set-up man. The deal, worth $17 million over three years, was the second-highest offer Farnsworth received. The Texas Rangers reportedly offered a three-year, $16.5 million contract with a vesting option that would have taken the deal to $21 million, plus incentives.[10]

He struggled in the 2006 season, accumulating a 4.36 ERA. His struggles continued into the 2007 season.[11]

Second stint with the Tigers

On July 30, 2008, Farnsworth returned to the Tigers in a trade for Iván Rodríguez.[12]

Kansas City Royals

On December 13, 2008, the Royals reached an agreement with Farnsworth on a two-year, $9.25MM deal.[13] On June 17, 2009, Farnsworth's left, non-pitching hand was bitten while he was breaking up a fight between two of his American bulldogs—Strike and Rambo. The cuts were deep enough to reach, but not cut, a tendon. Farnsworth later taped his finger, tucked it into his glove, and went to practice telling manager Trey Hillman that he could pitch. When asked which of his dogs bit him, Farnsworth replied: "I don't know. I reached in there and started grabbing dogs and throwing dogs. And one of them got me. One of those things that happens. It's never pretty. I've had to do it a few times, and it's ugly."[14]

Second stint with the Braves

On July 31, 2010, Farnsworth was re-acquired by the Braves along with Rick Ankiel for Gregor Blanco, Jesse Chavez and Tim Collins.[15]

Tampa Bay Rays

On January 15, 2011, Farnsworth agreed to a one-year, $3.25 million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. On February 5, 2013, Farnsworth signed a one-year contract worth $1.25 million.[16] He was designated for assignment on August 9, 2013 and released the next day.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Farnsworth signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 16, 2013 and recorded his first Pirates save against the Texas Rangers on September 11, 2013.

New York Mets

Farnsworth signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets on February 3, 2014.[17] He was released on March 23. On March 26 the Mets re-signed Farnsworth to a minor league contract.[18] He was called up to the majors on April 2 to replace the injured Bobby Parnell.[19]

On April 20, Farnsworth was named the new Mets closer after another blown save by Parnell's replacement, José Valverde. Farnsworth earned his first save as closer the next day in a 2–0 shutout of the St. Louis Cardinals. Farnsworth earned his second save as Mets closer 3 days later on April 23, giving up a run on 3 hits but managing to hang on for a 3–2 win over the Cardinals. The next day on April 24, Farnsworth was passed up for a save opportunity in favor of Daisuke Matsuzaka. However, after the game, Mets manager Terry Collins stated that Farnsworth was still the closer and that the Matsuzaka was the back up option. On April 26, Farnsworth gave up a 10th inning home run to Miami Marlins catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, allowing Miami to go on to win 7–6, and earning Farnsworth the loss. On May 3 in a game against the Colorado Rockies, Farnsworth gave up a walk off two run homerun to pinch hitter Charlie Culberson, earning Farnsworth a blown save and his second loss of the season. On May 10, Farnsworth earned his third loss of the season, giving up a go-ahead single to Ryan Howard, which resulted to a 5–4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. Farnsworth rebounded on May 12, getting his third save of the season in the opening game of the Subway Series against cross town rivals the New York Yankees. This was Farnsworth's last appearance as a member of the Mets.

On May 14, the Mets outrighted Farnsworth to Triple-A to avoid guaranteeing him a full season's contract. Farnsworth stated that he would refuse the assignment and wanted to find a new team that would allow him to "play against this team." The next day on May 15, Farnsworth officially elected free agency.

Houston Astros

On May 17, 2014, Farnsworth signed a major league deal with the Houston Astros.[20] He was outrighted off the roster on June 26 and elected to become a free agent.

Mexican League

Midway through the 2015 Mexican Baseball League season, Farnsworth signed with Pericos de Puebla. The next year, he signed with Algodoneros de San Luis, before later joining the Broncos de Reynosa. At Reynosa, Farnsworth started games for the first time since 2000 with the Chicago Cubs.[21]

Football career

In August 2014, after being cut by the Houston Astros, Farnsworth tried out for the Orlando Phantoms, an amateur football team in the Florida Football Alliance. He had not played football since he was a freshman in high school in 1992. Farnsworth made the Phantoms and played defensive end in the 2015 season.[22] He finished the season with 11 sacks.[21]

Farnsworth played for the Phantoms again in 2016. He also claimed to have received an offer to play professionally in a football league in Australia before the league canceled its inaugural season.[21] In 2017, Farnsworth was again a major part of Orlando's defense.[23]

References
  1. "Brookhaven Bucks Coaching Staff". Retrieved March 14, 2017.
  2. Bowman, Mark. "Farnsworth bolsters bullpen". MLB.com. Retrieved April 2, 2014. July 31, 2005
  3. "Famous Mormons: Baseball". FamousMormons.net.
  4. "ABAC inducts five into Athletics Hall of Fame". The Tifton Gazette. 5 April 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  5. Neary, Kevin; Tobin, Leigh A. (2013). Closer: Major League Players Reveal the Inside Pitch on Saving the Game. Running Press. ISBN 9780762447169. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  6. "Farnsworth's suspension reduced to two games". espn.go.com. July 18, 2003. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  7. "Cubs reliever to DL after angry kick". USA Today. August 28, 2004. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  8. Beck, Jason (July 17, 2005). "Seven ejected in bench-clearing melee. Guillen, Bonderman, Farnsworth tossed from game". mlb.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2007. Retrieved September 29, 2007.
  9. Evearitt, Tim (July 31, 2005). "Atlanta Braves Trade For Relief Pitcher Kyle Farnsworth". The Chattanoogan. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  10. "Yankees, Farnsworth agree to 3-year, $17M contract". ESPN.com. December 3, 2005. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
  11. "Kyle Farnsworth Stats - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
  12. "Yankees find their catcher for stretch, trade for Rodriguez". espn.go.com. July 30, 2008. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  13. "Royals agree to terms with reliever Farnsworth on two-year deal". mlb.com. December 13, 2008. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  14. Brown, David. "Break it up! It's a dog-eat-reliever world for KC's Kyle Farnsworth". yahoo.com. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  15. Dick Kaegel. "Royals deal Farnsworth, Ankiel for three". mlb.com. Archived from the original on August 4, 2010. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  16. Mooney, Roger (February 5, 2013). "Tampa Bay Rays officially sign Farnsworth, Kelly Johnson". Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  17. Ackert, Kristie (February 3, 2014). "Mets sign veteran reliever Kyle Farnsworth to minor-league deal". New York Daily News. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  18. Rubin, Adam (March 26, 2013). "Farnsworth re-signs, gets 'out'". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  19. "Parnell on DL; Mets call up Farnsworth, Flores". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 2, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  20. Rubin, Adam (May 17, 2014). "Astros sign Kyle Farnsworth". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  21. Gomez, Eric (September 8, 2016). "Why pitcher Farnsworth took talents south of border". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  22. Petrella, Steve (8 May 2015). "Kyle Farnsworth just 'one of the guys' on semi-pro football team". Sporting News. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  23. Kulha, Andrew (16 February 2017). "Orlando Phantoms winning on the football field and in life". Developmental Football USA. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
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