Brian Bruney

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Brian Bruney
Brian Bruney (4317747242).jpg
Bruney with the Washington Nationals
Pitcher
Born: (1982-02-17) February 17, 1982 (age 39)
Astoria, Oregon
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 8, 2004, for the Arizona Diamondbacks
Last MLB appearance
June 24, 2012, for the Chicago White Sox
MLB statistics
Win–loss record19–12
Earned run average4.68
Strikeouts252
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Brian Anthony Bruney (born February 17, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, and Chicago White Sox. He won the 2009 World Series with the Yankees, beating the Philadelphia Phillies.

Professional career[]

Arizona Diamondbacks[]

Bruney was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 12th round (369th overall) after graduating from Warrenton High School in 2000.[1] Bruney pitched in the minors from 2000 to 2003, Bruney was recalled by the Diamondbacks on May 8, 2004,[2] and made his major league debut that day against the Philadelphia Phillies, tossing a scoreless ninth inning in Arizona's 8-7 loss.[3]

Bruney in his rookie year with the Diamondbacks posted a 4.31 ERA and struck out 34 batters in 31.1 innings.[4] In 2005, the Diamondbacks tried Bruney as their closer, and he saved 12 games in 16 opportunities.[4] Overall, the 2005 season turned out to be a poor showing for Bruney. In 47 relief appearances, he posted a 7.43 ERA in 46 innings.[4] In May 2006, Bruney was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks.[5]

New York Yankees[]

Bruney with the Yankees in 2007.

Bruney was later signed as a minor league free agent by the New York Yankees. Bruney pitched for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers until being recalled by the Yankees.[6] Armed with an upper-90s fastball, mid-80s curveball and an aggressive approach, Bruney quickly established himself as one of the better relief pitchers in the Yankees' bullpen. Bruney finished 2006 with a 1-1 record and a 0.87 ERA in 19 games (20.2 innings).[4]

In 2007, he spent time on both the Yankees' major league roster and their Triple-A team. He ended the season with a 4.68 ERA in 58 major league games.[4]

Bruney reported to spring training 2008 having lost 20 pounds in the offseason, in addition to gaining speed on his fastball.[7] On April 25, 2008, it was learned that Bruney would likely miss the remainder of the season due to a fracture in his foot (Lisfranc) but he chose to forgo foot surgery in order to rehab the injury.[8][9] After spending time rehabbing in the minors, he returned to the Yankees on August 1 following the trade of Kyle Farnsworth.[10] On January 30, 2009, Bruney signed a one-year deal worth $1.25 million to avoid arbitration with the Yankees. He was slated to be Mariano Rivera's primary setup man going into the 2009 season.[11]

In 2009, Bruney spent part of the season on the disabled list with a 3.92 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 39 innings pitched.[4] On June 13, 2009, Bruney criticized New York Mets closer Francisco Rodríguez, calling his antics on the mound "unbelievable" and saying that Rodriguez has "got a tired act." Rodríguez responded after the Mets won that day's game by saying "somebody like that, it doesn't bother me," and suggesting that Bruney "better keep his mouth shut and do his job, not worry about somebody else. I don't even know who the guy is. I'm not going to waste my time with that guy. Instead of sending messages through the paper, next time when you see me at Citi Field, come up to me and say it to my face."[12] During batting practice the following day at Yankee Stadium, Rodríguez confronted Bruney on the field, pointing and shouting at him before teammates from both sides could separate the two.[13]

Bruney did not appear in the ALDS against the Twins or the ALCS against the Angels, but was added to the World Series roster.[14] On October 28, it was announced that Bruney would be replacing backup catcher Francisco Cervelli on the 25-man roster for the World Series.[15]

Washington Nationals[]

Bruney with the Washington Nationals during spring training in 2010

On December 7, 2009, Bruney was traded to the Washington Nationals for Jamie Hoffmann, Washington's pick in the 2009 Rule 5 draft.[16] On May 25, 2010, the Nationals released him after being designated for assignment on May 17.[17]

Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets[]

Bruney signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on June 1, 2010,[18] but was released on June 21 after pitching 3+1⁄3 scoreless innings with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds.[19] Bruney signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets on July 2, 2010.[20] Bruney became a free agent after the 2010 season ended.[21]

Chicago White Sox[]

In December 2010, Bruney signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.[22] He had his contract purchased on May 30, 2011.[23] He made his debut with the White Sox on May 31 against the Boston Red Sox, allowing two runs in 2/3 of an inning.[24] On August 5, the White Sox designated Bruney for assignment.[25] He was released on August 15.[26]

On November 29, 2011, Bruney re-signed a minor league contract with the White Sox.[27] He was called up from AAA Charlotte on June 22, 2012 after Philip Humber was placed on the DL.[28]

Personal life[]

As a child, Bruney was an extra in the movie Kindergarten Cop.[29] Currently, Bruney works at a timeshare company called Wyndham in Seaside, Oregon.

References[]

  1. ^ "12th Round of the 2000 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "Bruney recalled, Fossum close to returning". ESPN. May 8, 2004. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  3. ^ "Madson extends scoreless-innings streak to 21". ESPN. May 9, 2004. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Brian Bruney Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  5. ^ "Arizona Diamondbacks Transactions". MLB.com. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  6. ^ Kepner, Tyler (September 22, 2006). "From Arizona, to Columbus, to the Bronx". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  7. ^ Curry, Jack (April 13, 2008). "Bruney Changing Old Ways to Achieve New Goals". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  8. ^ Feinsand, Mark (April 26, 2008). "Surgery to end Brian Bruney's season". New York Daily News. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  9. ^ Bontemps, Tim (July 11, 2008). "Bruney continues to progress in rehab". New York Post. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  10. ^ O'Brien, Kat; Boone, Roderick (August 1, 2008). "YANKEES NOTEBOOK: Bruney's back from foot injury". Newsday. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  11. ^ "Yankees, reliever Bruney settle at $1.25 million". Sports Illustrated. CNN. Associated Press. January 30, 2009. Archived from the original on February 4, 2009. Retrieved January 30, 2009.
  12. ^ Rubin, Adam; Red, Christian (June 13, 2009). "Brian Bruney rips Francisco Rodriguez's celebrations, but K-Rod gets final shot". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on June 17, 2009. Retrieved June 17, 2009.
  13. ^ "Cage match: K-Rod confronts Yankees' Bruney". ESPN. June 14, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  14. ^ King III, George A. (October 27, 2009). "Yankees mull adding Hinske or Bruney to roster". New York Post. Retrieved October 27, 2009.
  15. ^ "Yankees add Bruney, Hinske to World Series roster". Sports Illustrated. CNN. October 28, 2009. Archived from the original on October 31, 2009. Retrieved October 28, 2009.
  16. ^ Hoch, Bryan (December 7, 2009). "Yankees deal Bruney to Nationals". MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved December 7, 2009.
  17. ^ Ladson, Bill (May 25, 2010). "Nationals release reliever Bruney". MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  18. ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (June 1, 2010). "Brewers Sign Brian Bruney". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  19. ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (June 22, 2010). "Brewers Release Brian Bruney". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  20. ^ "New York Mets Sign Brian Bruney". Bleacher Report. July 3, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  21. ^ "Brian Bruney Trades and Transactions by Baseball Almanac". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  22. ^ Calcaterra, Craig (December 13, 2010). "The White Sox sign Brian Bruney". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  23. ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (May 30, 2011). "White Sox Designate McPherson For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
  24. ^ "Chicago White Sox at Boston Red Sox Box Score, May 31, 2011". Baseball-Reference. May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  25. ^ Padilla, Doug (August 6, 2011). "Sox address curious move to recall Stewart". ESPN. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
  26. ^ Axisa, Mike (August 15, 2011). "White Sox Release Brian Bruney". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
  27. ^ Padilla, Doug (November 29, 2011). "Bruney gets minor league deal from Sox". ESPN. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  28. ^ O'Donnell, Ricky (June 22, 2012). "Chicago White Sox Place RHP Philip Humber On DL, Recall Brian Bruney From Triple-A". SB Nation Chicago. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  29. ^ Kepner, Tyler (February 15, 2009). "Odds and Ends on Posada, Brackman and Bruney". The New York Times. Retrieved February 15, 2009.

External links[]

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