Jeff Parrett was a right-handed pitcher who played for several Major League Baseball teams during his career. He was born on February 26, 1961, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and attended high school in nearby Lebanon. After graduation, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the third round of the 1979 MLB draft.
Parrett made his MLB debut with the Brewers in 1986, appearing in 13 games and posting a 3.86 ERA. He spent the next two seasons with the Brewers, primarily as a relief pitcher, before being traded to the Atlanta Braves in 1989.
With the Braves, Parrett had one of his best seasons in 1991, posting a 2.70 ERA in 67 appearances and helping the team win the National League pennant. He also pitched in the World Series that year, although the Braves lost to the Minnesota Twins in seven games.
After the 1991 season, Parrett signed as a free agent with the California Angels. He spent two seasons with the Angels, pitching primarily in relief, before being traded to the Chicago White Sox in 1994. He finished his career with the Baltimore Orioles in 1996.
Overall, Parrett appeared in 537 MLB games over 11 seasons, posting a 46-56 record with a 4.39 ERA. He was primarily a relief pitcher, although he did make 68 starts during his career. He also recorded 22 saves and struck out 618 batters in 902 innings pitched.
After retiring from baseball, Parrett worked as a pitching coach in the minor leagues for several years. He also served as a scout for the Seattle Mariners and worked as a broadcaster for the Nashville Sounds, a minor league team in Tennessee.
In addition to his baseball career, Parrett is also known for his charitable work. He founded the Jeff Parrett Foundation in 1992, which provides financial assistance to families with children who have life-threatening illnesses. The foundation has raised over $1 million to date.
Overall, Jeff Parrett had a solid career as a Major League Baseball pitcher, primarily as a reliever. He was a key member of the Atlanta Braves team that won the National League pennant in 1991 and made a significant impact on the game both on and off the field.
⚾