Matt Karchner

Matthew Dean Karchner (born June 28, 1967) is an American former professional baseball player who was a pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1995 to 2000. and led NCAA Division II with 1.59 runs batted in per game in 1988.

The following year, he was selected in the eighth round of the 1989 Major League Baseball draft by the Kansas City Royals. He was converted to pitching and was assigned to the Eugene Emeralds of the Northwest League to begin his professional career.

After three seasons in the Royals' farm system, Karchner was selected in the 1991 Rule 5 draft by the Montreal Expos. but was returned to the Royals that April.

Karchner spent two more seasons in the Royals' farm system before being selected by the Chicago White Sox in the minor league phase of the 1993 Rule 5 draft. Karchner made his Major League debut on July 18, 1995 at Yankee Stadium and pitched a scoreless inning in relief of Kirk McCaskill. Karchner was a regular in the White Sox bullpen for the remainder of that season as well as the following two seasons. Between 1997 and 1998, he set a franchise record by converting 20 consecutive save opportunities.

On July 29, 1998, Karchner was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Jon Garland who was then 18 years old and struggling in the minor leagues. and was later described in the Chicago Tribune as "one of the most lopsided in [Cubs] franchise history" Karchner struggled in his debut season with the Cubs but was brought back the following year nonetheless. In 1999, he missed substantial time due to groin injuries. By 2000, Karchner's attitude had soured and manager Don Baylor chose to keep him in the minors with the Iowa Cubs due, according to Karchner, to his negative attitude. The Cubs released him in September 2000. Needing offseason shoulder surgery and facing free agency, Karchner chose to retire.

Coaching career In January 2004, Karchner was named the interim head baseball coach at Susquehanna University. He resigned that position in June 2005.

Personal life Karchner is married and has one daughter, born April 1, 1994. By the time his playing career ended, he had multiple children.