Joe Mather
Joe Mather | |
---|---|
Outfielder | |
Born: Sandpoint, Idaho | July 23, 1982|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
May 30, 2008, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |
Last MLB appearance | |
October 1, 2012, for the Chicago Cubs | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .219 |
Home runs | 14 |
Runs batted in | 49 |
Teams | |
Joseph Paul Mather (born July 23, 1982) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs.
Early life
Mather was born on July 23, 1982, in Sandpoint, Idaho. At Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix, Arizona he played basketball and was also an All-State performer in baseball. He also set the school record for the most RBI and home runs in a career.[1] Mather also earned nicknames such as "Joey Bombs", "Jo-Jo" and Joe Cotton Mather, a reference to the 17th century puritan minister.
Professional playing career
Minor leagues
In 38 games with the Memphis Redbirds before his promotion to the St. Louis Cardinals, Mather hit .315 with 12 home runs, 24 RBI, and slugged .671.[2]
St. Louis Cardinals
On May 30, 2008, Mather was promoted from Triple-A to the Major league club after outfielder Chris Duncan was optioned to Triple-A . On the same day as his call-up, he was in the starting lineup as the right fielder for the Cardinals. He picked up his first major league hit and RBI in the 7th inning, driving in the game-winning run.
He was the last man cut in April 2009, for the team to get to the 25-man roster before Opening Day (Apr. 6).[3] On April 17, 2010, Mather came in for a stint as pitcher in the 19th and 20th innings against the New York Mets, picking up the loss in the game when the Mets won 2-1 in the 20th.
Atlanta Braves
Mather was claimed by the Atlanta Braves on November 3, 2010.[4] After failing to make the Braves' 2011 Opening Day roster, the organization placed him on outright waivers.[5] He cleared waivers and was sent to Triple-A Gwinnett Braves. On April 28, he had his contract purchased from the minors by the Braves, a move that general manager, Frank Wren, described as a "necessity." [6] He had a career high 4 hit, 4 RBI night when the Braves faced the Angels on May 21, 2011.[7] He was designated for assignment on June 19[8] and was later outrighted to Triple-A, but instead, he opted for free agency.[9]
Colorado Rockies
On July 4, 2011, Mather signed with the Colorado Rockies.[10]
Chicago Cubs
Mather signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs on January 4, 2012. With a successful spring, Mather made the Cubs opening day roster.[11]
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies signed Mather to a minor league contract but he did not make the team and was released.[12][13]
Lancaster Barnstormers
He subsequently signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[14]
Cincinnati Reds
On May 6, 2013 the Cincinnati Reds signed Mather to a minor league contract and assigned him to the Double A Pensacola Blue Wahoos.[15]
Bridgeport Bluefish
Mather signed with the Bridgeport Bluefish for the 2014 season.[16]
Personal life
Mather resides in Phoenix, AZ and enjoys playing golf in his free time.
References
- ^ "Mather, '01 MP grad, makes Major League debut". Ahwatukee.com. Archived from the original on September 19, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Joe Mather (statistics)". MiLB.com. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
- ^ Barden, Rasmus, Freese make Cards: Mather optioned to Minor League camp to complete roster (April 2) Archived 2009-08-15 at WebCite
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Atlanta Braves Make Spring Roster Moves".
- ^ Braves option reliever Asencio, recall IF/OF Mather, Atlanta Journal Constitution, April 28, 2011.
- ^ [2], Atlanta Journal Constitution, May 21, 2011.
- ^ Links, Zach. "Braves Designate Joe Mather For Assignment". MLBTradeRumors.com. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben. "Joe Mather Elects Free Agency". MLBTradeRumors.com. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
- ^ Axisa, Mike (July 7, 2011). "Rockies Sign Joe Mather". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/8782/mather-gets-to-embrace-accomplishment
- ^ "Joe Mather News: The Phillies signed Mather to a minor league contract, Jeff Schuler of the Allentown Morning Call reports". theScore. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ "Joe Mather News: The Phillies released Mather on Saturday, Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News reports". theScore. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ "BARNSTORMERS ADD THREE MORE". Lancaster Barnstomers. April 5, 2013. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ Fay, John (May 6, 2013). "Reds announce signing of Joe Mather". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ "MLB Vet Mather Signs With Bridgeport". Bridgeport Bluefish. May 23, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Mather player profile at Scout.com
- http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/sections/sports/sports/article_288564.php
- http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-79854352.html
- 1982 births
- Living people
- Major League Baseball outfielders
- St. Louis Cardinals players
- Atlanta Braves players
- Chicago Cubs players
- Johnson City Cardinals players
- New Jersey Cardinals players
- Bridgeport Bluefish players
- Peoria Chiefs players
- Mesa Solar Sox players
- Algodoneros de Guasave players
- Swing of the Quad Cities players
- Palm Beach Cardinals players
- Memphis Redbirds players
- Springfield Cardinals players
- Gulf Coast Cardinals players
- Baseball players from Idaho
- People from Sandpoint, Idaho
- Gwinnett Braves players
- Colorado Springs Sky Sox players
- Pensacola Blue Wahoos players
- Lancaster Barnstormers players
- Minor league baseball coaches