Brendan Donnelly

Brendan Kevin Donnelly (born July 4, 1971) is an American former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. A right-hander, Donnelly pitched for twenty-one teams (two of them independents), twelve organizations, two independent leagues, eleven organized minor leagues, and both the American League and the National League.

Donnelly won the World Series in 2002 with the Anaheim Angels and was on the roster for the Boston Red Sox during their 2007 World Series victory. Donnelly was also the winning pitcher of the 2003 All-Star Game. After ten seasons in the minors and eight seasons in MLB, he retired in 2011.

Career

Minor leagues Donnelly was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 27th round (764th overall) of the 1992 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft. The White Sox released him in April 1993. In June 1993, he signed with the Chicago Cubs organization; the Cubs released him before the start of the 1994 season. In 1994, he played for the independent Ohio Valley Redcoats.

In March 1995, Donnelly signed with the Cincinnati Reds and participated in spring training as a replacement player during the 1994–95 MLB strike. Due to his participation as a replacement player, Donnelly was permanently barred from joining the Major League Baseball Players Association. Donnelly remained in the Reds organization until he was released on April 3, 1999. In the game, he allowed three runs (two earned) in one inning of work as the Angels lost 5–1. He was later sent back to Salt Lake, and recalled again in June when Julio Ramírez was placed on the disabled list. After mostly subpar performances in the majors at that point, Donnelly cemented his role in the Angels' bullpen with an exceptional July in which he did not allow a single run, lowering his ERA from 6.14 to 2.33. Donnelly made 46 relief appearances in his first major league season, going 1–1 with one save and a 2.17 ERA. Donnelly would play an integral part of the Angels' bullpen during their playoff run in 2002. After struggling in the ALDS and ALCS, Donnelly excelled in the World Series against the San Francisco Giants, allowing zero runs in five appearances ( innings, four walks, six strikeouts). In the decisive Game 7, Donnelly tossed two scoreless innings while striking out two batters, helping the Angels to their first World Series title.

Donnelly was the third replacement player to win the World Series, behind Shane Spencer of the 1998, 1999 and 2000 New York Yankees and Damian Miller of the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks. His name does not appear on any official commemorative merchandise from the Angels 2002 World Series win, due to him being barred from the MLBPA.

Donnelly suffered a broken nose while shagging fly balls during spring training in 2004, causing him to undergo three surgeries and to miss the first two months of the season. Donnelly remained fairly effective throughout 2004, finishing 5–2 with a 3.00 ERA in 40 appearances. an incident that caused a scrum and accusations that former teammate Jose Guillén tipped manager Frank Robinson. The suspension was the culmination of three weeks of extra scrutiny on Donnelly from opposing managers and umpires, including an accusation from then-Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillén accusing Donnelly of touching his mouth too often. He made 27 relief appearances with the Red Sox, going 2–1 with a 3.05 ERA.

On July 31, 2007, it was announced that Donnelly would need Tommy John surgery, ending his season. During his absence, the Red Sox would win the World Series. Donnelly became a free agent after the 2007 season.

Cleveland Indians On February 6, 2008, the Cleveland Indians signed Donnelly to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. The Indians hoped Donnelly would provide bullpen help at the end of the season when he recovered from Tommy John surgery.

Donnelly was brought up to the Indians in August 2008 as a replacement for Tom Mastny. He struggled in Cleveland, going 1–0 with an ERA of 8.56 in 15 relief appearances. He was released on March 26. On April 28, he signed with the Houston Astros. Donnelly made 24 relief appearances with the Triple-A Round Rock Express, going 2–0 with six saves and a 1.75 ERA. In 30 relief appearances with the Marlins, he went 3–0 with two saves and a 1.78 ERA. He made 38 relief appearances with the Pirates, going 3–1 with a 5.58 ERA. He was the last of the replacement players still in the major leagues. His name, likeness, and uniform number were still replaced by fictional players in video games.

Retirement Donnelly announced his retirement on March 9, 2011.

Mitchell Report Donnelly was named in the December 13, 2007 Mitchell Report regarding the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. According to former clubhouse attendant and steroids distributor Kirk Radomski, Donnelly sought him out in 2004 looking to purchase oxandrolone, an anabolic steroid. Radomski says he made one sale of nandrolone to Donnelly, for which he received $250–$300. In response to the report, Donnelly admitted contacting Radomski in 2004 regarding oxandrolone, hoping it would help him recover from injuries faster. Donnelly denied ever buying or using the drug because he was made aware that it was considered a steroid.