Paul Assenmacher is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams during his career. He was born on December 10, 1960, in Detroit, Michigan, and attended Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Assenmacher was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the third round of the 1983 MLB draft and made his debut with the team in 1986.
Assenmacher was primarily a relief pitcher throughout his career, known for his left-handed pitching and ability to strike out batters. He played for several teams during his career, including the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Assenmacher had a successful career as a relief pitcher, with a career ERA of 3.50 and 614 strikeouts in 795 innings pitched. He was particularly effective against left-handed batters, holding them to a .214 batting average over his career.
One of Assenmacher's most memorable moments came during the 1995 American League Championship Series, when he struck out Seattle Mariners outfielder Jay Buhner to end Game 6 and send the Cleveland Indians to the World Series. The Indians ultimately lost to the Atlanta Braves in the World Series, but Assenmacher's performance in the ALCS was a highlight of his career.
Assenmacher retired from baseball in 1999, finishing his career with a record of 61-44 and 68 saves. After retiring, he worked as a pitching coach for several minor league teams and served as a special assistant to the general manager for the Chicago Cubs.
Overall, Paul Assenmacher had a successful career as a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was known for his left-handed pitching and ability to strike out batters, particularly left-handed ones. His performance in the 1995 ALCS was a highlight of his career, and he went on to work as a pitching coach and special assistant after retiring from baseball.
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