Steve Sparks (pitcher, born 1965)
| Steve Sparks | |||
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Sparks in 2015
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| Pitcher | |||
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Born: July 2, 1965 Tulsa, Oklahoma |
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| MLB debut | |||
| April 28, 1995, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |||
| Last MLB appearance | |||
| September 26, 2004, for the Arizona Diamondbacks | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 59–76 | ||
| Earned run average | 4.88 | ||
| Strikeouts | 658 | ||
| Teams | |||
Steven William Sparks (born July 2, 1965) is a former knuckleball-throwing right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher, who graduated from Holland Hall High School, then attended Sam Houston State University in 1987. In addition to the knuckler, Sparks threw an occasional slider and low-80s fastball.
Sparks was drafted in the 5th round by the Milwaukee Brewers. He learned to throw the knuckle ball in 1991. He bounced around in the Brewers minor league system until 1995, which was when the Brewers added him to the starting rotation to begin the season. Before the 1995 season, Sparks was infamously known for having ripped a phone book and dislocating his throwing shoulder, having kept him from making the team in 1994.
Sparks pitched in 33 games for the Brewers in 1995, also making 27 starts. He finished 9-11 with 3 complete games.
The following season, Sparks split time between pitching with the Brewers and pitching in AAA. He pitched in 11 games at AAA, going 2-6 with a 4.99 ERA while with the Brewers he pitched in 20 games (13 starts) and recording a record of 4-7 with a 6.60 ERA. He was beset by control issues, striking out 21 and walking 52 in 88.2 innings. He also allowed 19 home runs.
Sparks underwent Tommy John surgery in 1997. After the 1997 season, Sparks was let go by the organization, ending his 10-year run with the Brewers organization.
In 1998, Sparks signed with the Angels while he recovered from surgery. On June 16, Sparks made his return since the end of the 1996 season, pitching 6 2/3 en route to his first win since July 1996. For the season, Sparks finished with a 9-4 record in 22 games (20 starts). In 1999, Sparks' control issues returned, prohibiting him from gaining his effectiveness from the previous year. In 26 starts, he finished with a record of 5-11 and a 5.42 ERA. He induced 82 walks while striking out 73 in 147.2 innings.
In 2000, the Tigers signed Sparks to a minor league deal. He made four appearances with the team before getting demoted to AAA, he went 5-7 in 14 starts at the minor league level. He got called back up on July 22. He finished the season in the rotation, going 7-5.
In 2001, Sparks enjoyed the best season of his career, setting career highs in wins (14), ERA (3.65), innings (232), complete games (8) and strikeouts (116).
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