After four seasons in the minors, in which he compiled a 20–15 record with 49 saves and a 2.29 earned run average, Huismann made his major league debut on August 16, 1983 against the Detroit Tigers. Huismann drove his parents' car to the game, and almost didn't make it, as the car overheated three times on the way to Royals Stadium. He made it in time to enter the game in the fifth inning, and with runners on first and third and two outs, Huismann induced a fly ball to center from cleanup hitterLance Parrish to end the threat. The Royals erupted for nine runs in the seventh to make a winner of Huismann in his debut.[1]
Huismann began the 1984 season with the Royals, but after going 0–2 with a 6.75 ERA in thirteen appearances, he was optioned back to triple A Omaha. He was far more effective when he returned in July, going 3–1 with a 2.79 ERA and three saves over the rest of the season. He made his only post season appearance in game one of the 1984 American League Championship Series against the Detroit Tigers.[2]
Despite this progress, he did not make the Royals' roster for 1985. Instead, he compiled an American Association record 33 saves for the Omaha Royals to earn the league's Most Valuable Pitcher Award.[3] He received a call-up to the majors when rosters expanded that September, and was 1–0 with a 1.93 ERA in nine games, but was not part of the Royals' post season roster.
Seattle Mariners
With Dan Quisenberry in his prime, there was little room for a closer on the Royals. On May 21, 1986, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners for catcherTerry Bell.[4] He made his only career start for the M's on July 21 against the Toronto Blue Jays. He was pulled in the fourth inning after having surrendered six runs (5 earned), and took the loss.[5] Otherwise, he spent the rest of the season in a lefty/righty platoon with Matt Young closing games for Seattle. Huismann finished fourteen games, picking up four saves.
Cleveland Indians
He appeared in just six games for the Mariners in 1987 before being dealt to the Cleveland Indians for outfielderDave Gallagher.[6] He was 2–3 with two saves and a 5.09 ERA for the Indians when he was optioned down to the triple A Buffalo Bisons on July 15.[7]
The Indians released Huismann during Spring training the following season. Shortly afterwards, he signed with the Detroit Tigers.
Huismann pitched in all or part of nine seasons in the majors for six different teams from 1983 until 1991. Despite spending parts of nine seasons in the major leagues, Huismann pitched in more than 20 games in the majors just three times, spending more time at the minor league level than the majors in nearly every season (1986 being the only season during that stretch that he did not spend any time in the minors). In 1992 he played his final season of baseball for the Omaha Royals.
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