Jack Taschner

Jack Gerard Taschner (born April 21, 1978) is a former left-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He played for the San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Los Angeles Dodgers. In his major league career (2005–2010), he won 10 games and struck out 160 batters in 189 innings.

High School and College Taschner attended William Horlick High School in Racine, Wisconsin. Where he was selected in the 37th round by the then California Angels. After graduating, he chose not to sign and went on to the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, where he posted a 7–0 record in nine games (eight starts) and a 1.53 earned run average (ERA) during the 1999 season. He struck out 79 batters in his senior season while walking only 41. The Giants assigned him to their short season A-level minor league affiliate, the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes of the Northwest League. Taschner earned a 3–2 record in the latter half of 1999, striking out 36 batters in 29 innings. The road to recovery was not easy for Taschner, as his record with the Norwich Navigators in 2003 was 0–6; In his first season, he made 24 appearances as a reliever, notching a 2–0 record with 19 strikeouts and a 1.59 ERA. In 2006, he made the Opening Day roster, but was sent back to the minor leagues after posting a 34.71 ERA in innings; he posted a 6–7 record with Fresno and struck out 68 batters in innings. He pitched 50 innings out of the Giants' bullpen, striking out 51 batters in 63 games. He appeared in 24 games with the Phillies, with a 1–1 record and 4.91 ERA. In November 2009 Taschner was granted free agency after being outrighted to Triple-A.

Pittsburgh Pirates On December 23, 2009, Taschner signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates with an invitation to spring training.

On June 9, 2010, he was designated for assignment after having a 6.05 ERA in 17 appearances, with 19.1 innings, 17 strikeouts, eight walks, and one win. On June 19, 2010, Taschner declared free agency after refusing an outright assignment to the minors.

Los Angeles Dodgers On June 27, 2010, he signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and was assigned to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes. He was promoted to the Dodgers on July 21. He only retired one batter while with the Dodgers. Taschner is a left-handed baseball pitcher. He appeared in just three games for the Dodgers before being designated for assignment on July 29. He elected to declare free agency instead of accepting a minor league assignment.

Community Taschner is active in the San Francisco community with a variety of charities. He has worked with both the Shriner's Hospital and Habitat for Humanity during his tenure with the Giants. He has also instructed at a baseball skills clinic for children participating in the Special Olympics.

Post-Baseball career After his playing career ended, he chose to become a police officer in Appleton, Wisconsin in 2011. In 2015, he became commissioner of his son's 7- to 8-year-old league.