Aaron Heilman
| Aaron Heilman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| New York Mets – No. 48 | |
| Relief Pitcher | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| debut | |
| June 26, 2003, for the New York Mets | |
| Career statistics (through May 3, 2008) | |
| Win-Loss | 19-25 |
| Earned Run Average | 4.10 |
| Teams | |
| |
Aaron Michael Heilman (born November 12, 1978 in Logansport, Indiana) is a sidearm-throwing Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Mets.
High School Years
Heilman attended Logansport High School in Logansport, Indiana, and was a letterman in baseball. In baseball, he led his team to two regional titles, and as a senior, was a team M.V.P. and an All-State selection. Heilman graduated from Logansport High School in 1997.[citation needed]
College career
After a successful college career at the University of Notre Dame, he was selected by the New York Mets in the first round of the 2001 amateur draft with the 18th overall pick.
MLB career
He made his major league debut at Shea Stadium on June 26, 2003 in a 6-1 loss to the Florida Marlins. Heilman has pitched poorly as a starting pitcher, posting an ERA of 5.93 as a starter for 2003, 2004 and the beginning of 2005. [1] He was converted to a relief pitcher for the rest of 2005 and excelled with an ERA of only 2.18. However, Heilman's finest game came as a starter on April 15, 2005, when he made a start in place of the injured Kris Benson and pitched a one-hit complete game shutout.
In the second half of the 2005 season, he held a 0.68 ERA, tops in the league.
Heilman is married and resides in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
In Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS, Heilman surrendered a tie breaking, two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals, putting St. Louis ahead 3-1. St. Louis would hold on to the lead to win the National League pennant, while Heilman suffered the loss for the Mets.
When entering games at Shea Stadium, the home of the Mets, Heilman alternates coming out to the songs "London Calling" by The Clash and "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" by Blue Öyster Cult. He has had three straight consistent years of an ERA under 4 as a reliever, a feat that is rarely achieved.
Immediately after being moved to the bullpen, Heilman repeatedly stated that he would rather be a starting pitcher. However, Mets brass felt that he is of more help to the team working out of the bullpen, which is where he remained.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs