Dan Wheeler is a former professional baseball player who played as a relief pitcher for several Major League Baseball (MLB) teams during his career. He was born on December 10, 1977, in Providence, Rhode Island, and attended Central Arizona College before being drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 34th round of the 1996 MLB draft.
Wheeler made his MLB debut with the Devil Rays in 1999 and spent four seasons with the team before being traded to the New York Mets in 2003. He played for the Mets for two seasons before being traded to the Houston Astros in 2004. Wheeler spent four seasons with the Astros and was a key member of their bullpen during their run to the World Series in 2005.
In 2008, Wheeler signed with the Tampa Bay Rays as a free agent and played for the team for two seasons. He was a part of the Rays' American League Championship team in 2008 and helped them reach the World Series, where they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies. Wheeler then signed with the Boston Red Sox in 2010 and played for them for one season before being traded to the Cleveland Indians in 2011. He finished his career with the Kansas City Royals in 2012.
Throughout his career, Wheeler was known for his consistency and durability as a relief pitcher. He appeared in over 600 games and pitched over 700 innings, recording 25 saves and a 3.98 earned run average (ERA). He was also known for his ability to pitch in high-pressure situations, as evidenced by his performance in the 2005 playoffs with the Astros and the 2008 playoffs with the Rays.
After retiring from baseball, Wheeler became a coach and worked as a pitching coach for the Houston Astros' minor league system. He also worked as a broadcaster for the Rays and provided analysis for their games on Fox Sports Florida.
Overall, Dan Wheeler had a successful career as a relief pitcher in MLB, playing for several teams and making a significant impact on each one. He was a reliable and consistent performer who was respected by his teammates and opponents alike.
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