Jesse Crain is a former professional baseball player who played as a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for ten seasons. He was born on July 5, 1981, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and attended the University of Houston, where he played college baseball for the Houston Cougars.
Crain was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the second round of the 2002 MLB draft and made his MLB debut on July 4, 2004. He spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Twins, where he established himself as a reliable relief pitcher. He was known for his fastball, slider, and changeup, which he used to strike out batters and induce ground balls.
In 2011, Crain signed with the Chicago White Sox as a free agent and played for them for three seasons. He continued to be a valuable reliever for the team, helping them win the American League Central division in 2012. During his time with the White Sox, Crain was named to the All-Star team in 2013, but he was unable to play due to an injury.
In July 2013, Crain was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays, but he did not play for them due to a shoulder injury. He became a free agent at the end of the season and signed a one-year contract with the Houston Astros in 2014. However, he was unable to play for the team due to ongoing shoulder problems and announced his retirement from baseball in February 2016.
Throughout his career, Crain had a record of 45-30 with a 3.05 earned run average (ERA) and 524 strikeouts in 532 innings pitched. He also had 51 saves and held opponents to a .233 batting average. He was known for his consistency and durability, as he appeared in at least 50 games in seven of his ten seasons in the MLB.
Crain was also involved in charitable work throughout his career, supporting organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club and the Ronald McDonald House. He was known for his positive attitude and leadership in the clubhouse, and he was respected by his teammates and coaches.
In conclusion, Jesse Crain had a successful career as a relief pitcher in the MLB, playing for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays. He was known for his consistency, durability, and positive attitude, and he was a valuable member of every team he played for. Despite his retirement from baseball, he continues to be involved in charitable work and is remembered as a respected and admired player.
⚾